Historical November 1991 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Parents of newborns should beware of the Federal Record Service, a company that charges a fee for services available free of charge from Social Security.
This Washington D.C. company charges $15.00 for “helping” to process Social Security number applications for newborn babies.
A new law requires that 1991 income tax returns (to be filed by April 15, 1992) show numbers for children claimed as dependents if they have reached age one by the end of 1991.
The old rules required numbers for dependents two or older. Social Security does not charge anything to get a number or a duplicate card. Applications, instructions and assistance are all available from any Social Security office. Involving a third party like the Federal Record Service actually slows down the process and it does not reduce the paperwork or evidence requirements involved. Only Social Security can process applications for Social Security numbers.
The easiest way to get a number for a newborn is to apply at the hospital. Parents who have chosen a name for their baby can check a block on the birth information form that is sent to the Bureau of Vital Statistics (BVS) in Jefferson City indicating they want a number automatically issued. BVS sends a computer tape to Social Security in Baltimore. Maryland and Social Security cards are issued from there.
This method saves a trip to your local Social Security office and bypasses the evidence requirements.
It usually takes about 13 weeks to receive the automatically issued card after the baby is born.
The other way to get a Social Security number for your newborn is to call, write or visit any Social Security office. Ask for an application and send it back with an original copy of the child’s birth certificate and evidence of identity (examples: vaccination record or other medical record or a newspaper birth announcement). You will also need to provide evidence of your own identity. You’ll receive a Social Security card in about 2 weeks from the date the application is submitted.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1991.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1991_11.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
