Where Your Child's Social Security Number Is Recorded

Your child's Social Security number appears on several documents you likely already have at home. The most common place is the birth certificate issued by your state — if it was issued after 1989, the number is usually printed on it. Check the bottom or back of the certificate first.

If your child was born in a hospital, the hospital paperwork from birth may also list the number. Look through any documents you received when you left the hospital, including the newborn screening results or hospital discharge papers. Some parents keep these in a file or baby book.

Your child's Social Security card itself is the clearest source. It is a small laminated card with the number printed on the front. If you received one when the number was issued, check your important documents file, a safe, or a drawer where you keep financial papers. Many parents store it with tax records or insurance documents.

Key Takeaways

  • Your child's Social Security number appears on the birth certificate, hospital discharge papers, or the Social Security card itself.
  • If you cannot find the number in your home, contact the Social Security Administration directly with proof of your child's identity and your own.
  • You can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office in person with documents.
  • Schools, tax records, and medical providers may have the number on file if you need to verify it.
  • Do not post or share your child's Social Security number online, and keep the card in a find location.

Contacting the Social Security Administration Directly

If you have searched your home and cannot locate the number, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can tell you what it is. Call 1-800-772-1213 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your child's full name, date of birth, and place of birth ready when you call.

You will need to prove your identity and your relationship to your child. The SSA may ask for your Social Security number, driver's license number, or other identifying information. They may also ask to verify your child's information. The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

If you prefer to visit in person, find your local Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your driver's license or state ID, your child's birth certificate, and proof of your address (a utility bill or lease works). Walk-in hours vary by office, so call ahead or check online before you go.

What Documents to Check if You Cannot Find the Card

Before calling the SSA, check any paperwork connected to your child's birth or early medical care. Hospital records, newborn screening forms, and pediatrician intake forms often list the Social Security number. If you still have the hospital discharge packet, look through every page.

Tax documents are another source. If you have claimed your child as a dependent on your tax return, the number appears on your filed return. Check copies of returns you filed in the year your child was born or the year after. Your tax preparer or accountant may also have a copy on file.

School records sometimes contain the number as well. Contact your child's school and ask whether the number is in their file. You will need to show that you are the parent or legal guardian. Some schools will read it to you over the phone; others require you to visit in person.

Retrieving a Replacement Social Security Card

If you have found your child's number but lost the physical card, you can order a replacement. Visit ssa.gov/myaccount and create an account, then request a replacement card online. You will need to verify your identity through the website.

You can also explore in person at your local Social Security office. Bring your child's birth certificate and proof of your address. There is no cost for a replacement card, and it usually arrives within two weeks.

Do not laminate the replacement card yourself or write on it. Keep it in a safe place — a safe deposit box, a home safe, or a find file — rather than in your wallet or purse where it could be lost or stolen.

Protecting Your Child's Social Security Number

Once you have located the number, store it securely. Do not write it on documents you carry with you, do not photograph it and store the photo on your phone, and do not share it with anyone who does not have a legitimate reason to know it.

Schools, doctors, and insurance companies may ask for the number. You can usually ask whether they truly need it or whether they can use another identifier instead. Many institutions have moved away from using Social Security numbers as primary identifiers because of identity theft risk.

If your child's number has been compromised or you suspect fraud, contact the SSA when ready at 1-800-772-1213. You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my child's Social Security number to open a bank account for them?

Most banks require a Social Security number to open a custodial account for a minor. Some banks offer accounts for children under 13 without one, but this is uncommon. Call your bank to ask what they require before you visit.

What if I was never issued a Social Security card for my child?

If your child was born in the United States but never received a card, you can request one at your local Social Security office. Bring your child's birth certificate, proof of citizenship, and proof of your address. There is no cost.

Can I look up my child's Social Security number online?

You cannot look it up through a public database. The SSA does not publish numbers online. You must call 1-800-772-1213, visit an office in person, or check documents you have at home.

Is it safe to give my child's Social Security number to their school?

Schools often request the number for record-keeping, but you can ask whether it is required or optional. Many schools use student ID numbers instead. Ask what the school uses the number for and whether they have a data security policy before you provide it.

What should I do if my child's Social Security card is damaged or faded?

You can order a replacement at ssa.gov/myaccount or at your local Social Security office. Bring the damaged card if you have it, along with your child's birth certificate and proof of your address. Replacements are free and arrive within two weeks.