[Papa D]

The adoption was finalized in November and we just received the birth certificate. We just need to get that SSN so we can take the tax deduction for 2006. We live in DC so there's plenty of SS offices. My question is: What do we need to have, identification wise, besides the birth certificate when we show up at the Social Security office?

[bajj]

I would check out their website, and also call and ask your local office. I have found that depending on where you live and who is helping you, you get different info. I would probably take the adoption decree along, too.

With my oldest ds we were did not have the birth certificate and we HAD to have his SS# for taxes and insurance reasons. I had printed off acceptable forms of ID ahead of time and I'm glad I did. The lady went round and round with me about how she COULDN'T issue it wihtout the BC and I showed her the print out and she had to accept the statement of birth from the hosptial (not sure if that's the real name or not).

Good luck! Call ahead of time and walk in there like you know what you're doing!

[Emster]

I also got the information from the website ahead of time and didn't have any trouble at all. I took the birth certificate, adoption decree and statement from Dr. office with child's name on it (I think...) and my own drivers license. Then there is a form I think you fill out (very easy). They just checked to make sure no one had already applied for a SSN and then sent the request through. A few weeks later (maybe a month) we received his card.

[nycfsa]

If you look up SSN on the social security website (Social Security Online) it will tell you what the acceptable forms of ID are. I think I used the birth certificate and adoption decree. You can also print out the form that needs to be filled out, which will save you some time at the SS office.

[sadiegirl]

OK, here's my question:

If we have DS amended BC and he's never been issued a SSN before, how would they know he's adopted? I mean, when you have a bio child, what do you have to take?

We have BC, an immunization record (and the adoption decree) but is it really needed? KWIM?

[gigigeorge]

When you have a bio child you just apply at the hospital its one of the forms they have you fill out along with the BC etc, if you don't then you do have to go down to the ss office with the BC, immunization record and in the case of adoption the adoption decree.

Now our original adoption decree is on file with the courst in sealed records but we have a certified copy, they won't just accept a copy - at least ours wouldn't but it seems the its up to the person who processes your paperwork at the time

g.

[nycfsa]

Sadiegirl...you bring up a good point. Our attorney told us that SS doesn't even need to know that a child is adopted. You should be able to use the immunization record or whatever else is on the list without the adoption decree. I tried to do it that way, but the SS guy wanted to know why he didn't get a SSN in the hospital. I didn't have a good answer so I had to get out the adoption decree.

[sadiegirl]

NYC,

That's what I thought too, and it even says on the SSA website that you do not HAVE to ask for a SSN while in the hospital (whether bio or not). I am going to provide the BC and his immunization card (will that work?) and see what they say...

BTW, I am trying to head out there tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

Papa D, sorry to hijack, may your wait for the SSN be short!

[ses1230]

I took the form I printed from the website, amended BC, adoption decree and my ID. I received the SS card in about 10 days.
Good Luck! It seems like the experiences at the SS office really vary.

[sadiegirl]

Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh! (evil laugh). Went today to the local "hometown" SSA office (as opposed to the "biggie" downtown with metal detectors, et al).

Waited a GRAND total of 20 minutes! Wahoo. But ya gotta hear this.

Walked up to window, told lady I needed a SSN for my son.
Lady: "He doesn't have one?"
Me: trying not to retort that would I BE there if he didn't need one? "No"
Lady: "you didn't ask for one in the hospital?"
Me: "Nope"

She asked for his BC and some other form of ID. I gave her his shot record which she was happy with.

She never asked if he was adopted so I didn't need to show the decree (although I had it).

Paper I was given said about 4 weeks but she said it may be more or less than that b/c the BC was from another state. She said it just depends on how quickly they verify the BC.

I think I went in expecting the worst and was very pleasantly surprised.

But will say, take the BC, adoption decree and med and/or shot records plus your drivers license.

Good luck!