How to Apply for a Social Security Number for a Newborn
Most parents never fill out a separate form for this. When you register your baby's birth at the hospital, birthing center, or with a licensed midwife, you can request a Social Security number right there on the state's birth paperwork, and Social Security assigns the number and mails the card on its own. If that window gets missed, you can still apply later at a local office with Form SS-5. Either way it's free, though how long the card takes to arrive depends heavily on which state you're in.
Step by step
- 1 Request the SSN during birth registration Look for the Social Security number question on the state's birth registration worksheet, usually completed at the hospital before you're discharged. There's no separate SSA form for this path.
- 2 Provide both parents' Social Security numbers, if you have them The birth worksheet typically asks for the parents' own numbers. If a parent has never been assigned one, that's fine; just note it rather than leaving the section blank.
- 3 Let the state and SSA handle the rest The state's vital records bureau sends your baby's birth information to Social Security electronically. SSA assigns the number and mails the card automatically. You don't call, log in, or file anything else.
- 4 Watch the mail, and check your state's typical timeline first Before assuming something's wrong, look up how long your state normally takes (see the timeline below) since an Alaska family and a Texas family can wait very different lengths of time for the exact same process.
- 5 Missed the hospital window? Apply at a local office instead There's no online option for a child's first Social Security number. Complete Form SS-5 and bring the documents listed below to your nearest office.
What you need if you apply at a local office
Child's Age & Citizenship
- Official state or county-issued birth certificate (a hospital “souvenir” certificate doesn't count)
- U.S. passport, if your child already has one, also works for citizenship
Child's Identity
- A certified medical record from the hospital, clinic, or doctor who delivered your baby
- Not the birth certificate — SSA accepts that for age and citizenship, but not as identity evidence
Your Own Identity & Relationship
- Your driver's license, state ID, or U.S. passport
- Proof you're the parent or legal guardian, which the birth certificate itself usually covers
How long it actually takes
SSA tracks this by state, and the range is wide. Each state's vital records office takes anywhere from 1 to 7 weeks to forward a birth registration to SSA, with a national average of 2 weeks; then add roughly 2 more weeks for SSA to mail the card once it has the information. California, Texas, and Florida average about 1 week on their end. Alaska averages 7, and New Mexico averages 5. If you applied later at a local office instead, expect a similarly short wait once your Form SS-5 is processed, since SSA still verifies the birth certificate before mailing anything.
Some states (California, Texas, Florida) average just 1 week; others (Alaska, New Mexico) run 5 to 7. SSA publishes current per-state averages if you want to check yours.
Your baby's birth certificate proves age and citizenship, but SSA won't accept it, or a hospital souvenir certificate, as proof of identity. A certified medical record from the hospital or doctor covers that instead.
This is always free, whether you request it at the hospital or apply later at an office. No company can legitimately charge you to get your newborn a Social Security number.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to get a Social Security number for my baby?
Yes, in every case. Requesting it at the hospital costs nothing, and applying later at a local office with Form SS-5 is free too.
What if we didn't request it at the hospital?
You can still apply anytime at a local Social Security office. There's no online option for a child's first card, so you'll need Form SS-5 plus the identity, age, and citizenship documents listed above.
How long does it really take to get the card?
It depends on your state. SSA's own data shows state processing alone runs 1 to 7 weeks (2 weeks on average), plus about 2 more weeks for the card to arrive by mail. Some states are consistently faster than others.
Can we use our baby's birth certificate as their ID on the application?
Not for identity purposes. SSA accepts a birth certificate as evidence of age and citizenship, but it specifically does not count as identity evidence, and neither does a hospital souvenir certificate. A certified medical record from the hospital or doctor is what's used instead.
Do I need to prove my own identity too?
Yes. Whoever signs the application has to prove their own identity and their authority to apply on the child's behalf. The birth certificate listing you as the parent typically establishes that relationship.
Reviewed against official SSA guidance. Source 1, Source 2, Source 3
Ready to visit in person? Find your local SSA field office and check live hours