[LilmissBrianna]

Has anyone that traveled through Houston for pick-up run into this problem? We went to the SS office to apply for SS number for our daughter (came back on I-3 visa). Took everything that they needed. Their computers said that the application was in process already. They said that it probably has already been applied for somehow. Do they do this at immigration when you come through? Or do they do this with the sealed info that you give them. Also how do I get the sealed info back? The man at immigration said that they would send it to me (I am assuming that he was talking about the info in the envelope). How long does it take?
Thanks for the insight,
Yvonne

[rhsinnc]

Yvonne, First, CONGRATS on bringing your little sweetheart home! It doesn't matter what kind of visa your child came home on, you still have to get a social security number for them. That is really strange that they told you that it had already been applied for. Something doesn't sound right about that. I would ask for more information, for example, when was it requsted and by whom.

As far as the paperwork in the envelope that you gave to Immigration, you will receive some of those documents back in the mail. Right off I can't remember which ones we received back. I know we received the Certificate of Citizenship and it seems like we received something else separately.

Good luck! I hope you get the SS# straightened out!

Rebecca

[DPline]

I second what Rebecca said. Something seems off that a social security number has already been applied for. I have heard of people being asked at Immigration if they want them (Immigration) to apply for a SS# for their child, but I have never ever heard of it actually happening. I would definetly look into that further and find out exactly when, and by whom, the number was requested.

Because your child came home on an IR3 visa, she became a citizen as soon as you landed in the US. You will received her COC (Certificate of Citizenship)automatically in the mail in 4-6 weeks.

To get back the packet you turned in to Immigration, you need to file USCIS form G884 after you have received the COC. You will mail it to the Buffalo office that issued the COC. The packet will not be mailed you without you requesting it.

Unluckly, Immigration is notorious for giving out bad information!

If you have other questions or need more information, let me know!

[dance_muffin]

We went thru Houston on our way back from pick-up. We applied for a ss card a couple of weeks ago. We received it in a week. Immigration does not apply for a social security number for you. You should go back to the ss office and ask to speak with a supervisor.

I just sent in my G884; all separate steps in completing the process.

Good luck.

[LilmissBrianna]

Thanks everyone for your input. I did speak with the supervisor at the SS office and she was looking into it for me. Maybe I am paranoid but always worry about ID theft. They said that they were also having computer problems that day so I said I would give her a week. Need the SS# for taxes. I don't know what I would do without all of you on this forum. I always know where to turn for info!!!
Thanks!
Yvonne

[adreamcometrue]

The same thing happened to me. After 2 weeks I went back to the SS office and they had me fill out a form for a new one. It all worked out in the end but it was a pain in the butt.

[keirasmom]

I'm not a tax expert by any means but from your timeline I can see your adoption was finalized in January 2008 when the birth mother signed off. I don't think you can claim your child (or the adoption tax credit) unless they were legally your child for atleast 1 day in 2007. If that's true then you wouldn't need a SS # until next year's taxes. Like I said I'm not an expert at all so I may be wrong. I just thought you should double check on this before you do those taxes.

Our tax refund was delayed by the IRS. We got a letter stating they needed to do additional work on our return and couldn't honor our request for direct deposit. It scared the begeezus out of us (the IRS is one entity I never want to tango with)! I'm sure it was because of the adoption credit, but who knows. It all worked out. I just don't want to see anyone have IRS troubles.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by keirasmom

I'm not a tax expert by any means but from your timeline I can see your adoption was finalized in January 2008 when the birth mother signed off. I don't think you can claim your child (or the adoption tax credit) unless they were legally your child for atleast 1 day in 2007. If that's true then you wouldn't need a SS # until next year's taxes. Like I said I'm not an expert at all so I may be wrong. I just thought you should double check on this before you do those taxes.

Our tax refund was delayed by the IRS. We got a letter stating they needed to do additional work on our return and couldn't honor our request for direct deposit. It scared the begeezus out of us (the IRS is one entity I never want to tango with)! I'm sure it was because of the adoption credit, but who knows. It all worked out. I just don't want to see anyone have IRS troubles.

You are correct. To claim the child as a dependent, they must have been with your for at least 1 day in the tax year. And to claim the adoption tax credit the adoption must have been final during the tax year. (Though the child doesn't have to have come home during that year.) We needed social security numbers for our children for our insurance company. You also need it for bank accounts, etc. So there are other reasons for getting the number beyond taxes.

I don't know if you saw the thread recently about delayed tax refunds. Over a certain dollar amount, the return gets extra attention and the money can not be direct deposited. From that thread, there were many of us who got the same letter and had no issues. At least beyond having to wait a little longer for our money. But in the end you do get that nice refund!

[Dogstar]

We completed our first adoption (second is in PGN now) in December. We didn't experience any of the IRS issues mentioned in some of the post replies. We file electronically with direct deposit as well.

I would recommend, if you plan on changing your babies' name, that you wait on a SSN until after the name change is complete.

- It will only mean you have to deal with the Social Security administration one time.

- It may make things easier for your child later on in life.

Congratulations and good luck.

[keirasmom]

Originally Posted by DPline

You are correct. To claim the child as a dependent, they must have been with your for at least 1 day in the tax year. And to claim the adoption tax credit the adoption must have been final during the tax year. (Though the child doesn't have to have come home during that year.) We needed social security numbers for our children for our insurance company. You also need it for bank accounts, etc. So there are other reasons for getting the number beyond taxes.

I don't know if you saw the thread recently about delayed tax refunds. Over a certain dollar amount, the return gets extra attention and the money can not be direct deposited. From that thread, there were many of us who got the same letter and had no issues. At least beyond having to wait a little longer for our money. But in the end you do get that nice refund!

We did finally recieved our refund. I had no idea that after a certain amount the money couldn't be direct deposited, interesting. I do realize that ther are lots of very good reasons to get the ss# as soon as possible after bringing baby home. I only mentioned the tax thing because the poster mentioned in her second post that she needed the ss# for taxes.

[DPline]

Glad to hear you got it! I am not sure what the amount is at which point they won't direct deposit. But it does seem to be pretty common with people using the adoption credit and getting a hefty refund.

Enjoy that tax refund!!

[JustBarbara]

I too worry about identity theft so will be looking for your updates. I also don't believe you'll be able to claim your Guatling as a dependent for last year but I too am not a CPA. Good luck!