Proof of Identity for Minors: Social Security Card Requirements by Age

To get a Social Security card for a child, proof of identity for a minor for Social Security purposes means more than a birth certificate. Federal regulations require a separate identity document alongside the birth record, because the birth certificate proves age and citizenship but does not confirm that the child is the person named on it.¹ Which document works depends on the child’s age. Everything you submit must be an original or a copy certified by the agency that issued it; photocopies and notarized copies are rejected.² There is no fee for the card.³

Newborns: Skip the Paperwork at the Hospital

The easiest way to get a number for a newborn is to request one during birth registration at the hospital. Under the SSA’s Enumeration at Birth program, the hospital sends the information through the state vital records office to the SSA electronically.⁴ No separate application, no identity documents, no visit to a Social Security office. The state’s birth registration data covers age, identity, and citizenship all at once.⁵

The program is voluntary for parents and hospitals, but nearly every hospital in the country takes part. If you checked the box on the birth registration form, the card goes to the mother’s address on file. If you skipped that step, or the child is older, you apply directly through a Social Security office and the identity rules below apply.

Identity Documents for Children Birth Through Age 5

For a child in this age range who did not get a number at birth, the SSA’s preferred identity documents are:

Medical record. A clinic, doctor, or hospital record showing the child’s name and either date of birth, age, or parents’ names. Immunization records qualify. The record must be less than four years old.⁶
Daycare or preschool record. A certified enrollment record from a childcare facility or preschool for the current or prior year, showing the child’s name and age, date of birth, or parents’ names.⁶
Religious record. A baptismal certificate, naming certificate, bris certificate, or similar document from a religious organization, showing the child’s name and either age, date of birth, or parents’ names.⁶

Religious records help when a child has not seen a doctor recently and is not in daycare. The document has to come from the religious organization itself and carry an official seal or authorized signature. A church bulletin or informal note from a clergy member will not work.

Identity Documents for Children Ages 6 Through 17

Once a child is in school, the list of acceptable documents grows:

School record or transcript. Certified by the school, covering the current or prior academic year, showing the child’s name and either date of birth, age, or parents’ names.⁶
School ID card. Must be for the current or prior school year.
State-issued non-driver ID card. Must be unexpired and issued by the state agency that also handles driver’s licenses.⁶
Driver’s license. An unexpired U.S. driver’s license works for older teens. Suspended, revoked, or temporary licenses do not qualify.⁶
Medical record. Still accepted, under the same rules as for younger children.

One common mistake: bringing a learner’s permit. The SSA treats learner’s permits and other temporary documents as unacceptable unless a regional office specifically approves them. If your teenager only has a permit, a certified school record is the safer bet.

The In-Person Rule for Children Age 12 and Older

If your child is 12 or older and has never had a Social Security number, the child must appear in person at a Social Security office for an interview.⁷ You cannot complete this by mail. The interview exists because reaching age 12 without a number is unusual, and the SSA screens for fraud or duplicate assignments.

Bring the same identity documents you would for a younger child. Expect questions about why a number was never assigned. That is routine, not adversarial.

On the application, a child under 18 can sign for themselves, or a parent or legal guardian can sign for them.⁸ A teen applying for a first job can sign their own form.

Noncitizen Children

A child who is not a U.S. citizen also needs a current immigration document from the Department of Homeland Security. Acceptable options include a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), an Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94) with an unexpired foreign passport, or an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766).⁹p>

If the child has no current DHS document, the SSA can accept other identity evidence such as a state-issued ID, adoption decree, medical record, religious record, or school record, as long as it shows the child’s name and identifying details like date of birth or parents’ names.² All documents must be originals or certified copies, and at least two separate documents are required, since one item may cover identity and immigration status together but cannot also cover age.

For an internationally adopted child, a final adoption decree from the court serves as both proof of identity and proof of the legal relationship to the adoptive parents.⁶ The decree must show the child’s name and either date of birth or the adopting parents’ names.

What the Applying Adult Needs to Bring

The parent or legal guardian must also prove their own identity. The SSA accepts a current U.S. driver’s license, a state-issued non-driver ID card, or a valid U.S. passport.⁶

If the adult’s name does not match the parent listed on the child’s birth certificate, extra paperwork is needed. A court order granting custody or a final adoption decree establishes the legal relationship.⁶ A healthcare provider or social services official applying on behalf of a child needs their workplace identification plus a letter of authorization from their agency.

Filling Out Form SS-5

Form SS-5 is the application for a Social Security card.⁸ It asks for the child’s full legal name, date and place of birth, and both parents’ names, including the mother’s maiden name. It also asks for both parents’ Social Security numbers. If a parent does not have a number or the number is unknown, write “unknown” and the application can still proceed. If a parent has a number and refuses to provide it, the SSA may deny the application.

The race and ethnicity fields are voluntary. Leaving them blank has no effect on the application.⁸ Check the spelling of the child’s name against the birth certificate before submitting. Small discrepancies cause delays.

Submitting the Application

Submit the completed Form SS-5 and all original supporting documents at a local Social Security office. Visiting in person is the better option for most families, because staff verify documents on the spot and hand the originals back the same day. SSA policy requires staff to return original documents promptly after photocopying.¹⁰

Mailing is technically possible but carries real risk. Birth certificates and immigration documents can be difficult or expensive to replace if lost in transit. The SSA returns everything after processing but does not guarantee a return timeframe. Anyone applying for a child age 12 or older must visit an office in person regardless, because the interview is mandatory for that age group.⁷

Once the application is approved, the card arrives by mail within 5 to 10 business days.¹¹

1
eCFR. 20 CFR 422.107 – Evidence Requirements
2
Social Security Administration. Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get a Social Security Card
3
Social Security Administration. What Does It Cost to Get a Social Security Card?
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Social Security Administration. RM 10205.505 – Enumeration at Birth Process
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eCFR. 20 CFR 422.103 – Social Security Number Cards
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Social Security Administration. RM 10210.420 – Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents
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Social Security Administration. Code of Federal Regulations 422.107 – Evidence Requirements
8
Social Security Administration. Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5)
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Social Security Administration. Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens
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Social Security Administration. GN 00301.275 – Retention or Return of Documents
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Social Security Administration. Request a Social Security Number