How to obtain a social security card for child

How To Get a Social Security Card Replacement for Your Child

When Christie Pesicka heard that her son’s school district was mired in a ransomware attack, she knew what to expect.[*] A decade earlier, hackers had published her personal data online, putting her at risk of identity theft.

Cyberattacks like the one that ravaged her son’s school district can have lifelong consequences. Personal data about Christie’s son – including his Social Security number (SSN) – could easily have fallen into the wrong hands.

According to a report by Javelin Strategy & Research, 1.4 million children and teenagers had their identities stolen in 2021.[*] This kind of fraud can go unnoticed for years because children don’t typically need to check their credit histories until they go off to college or graduate school, or apply for their first job. By then, the damage may already be done.

That’s why parents need to be vigilant when children report losing SSN information or their physical Social Security cards.

Can You Replace Your Child’s Social Security Card Online?

No. The Social Security Administration (SSA) lets adults replace lost Social Security cards online, but not children. For minors, the process is a bit more complex. Parents and legal guardians can fill out an application on the child’s behalf and receive a new card in the mail.

However, your child’s new card will not come with a new number. Social Security numbers are assigned at birth and do not change, except under select circumstances.

The SSA will only agree to change your child’s Social Security number if you can demonstrate that the child is a victim of identity theft.

Even then, the SSA will ask you to try resolving any issues associated with the original number first. You will have to prove that despite these attempts, your child’s original number still puts them at a disadvantage.

Getting a new Social Security number is much more laborious than getting a new card. To start, you’ll have to make an in-person appointment with your local Social Security card center.

📌 Did you know? You can restrict access to your SSN by blocking electronic access or using E-Verify’s self-lock feature.

Three Steps To Replace Your Child’s Social Security Card

Find out whether you really need to get a replacement Social Security card in the first place. In most cases, simply knowing the number is good enough.

There are few instances in which your child will have to use their Social Security card as an identifying document. Most adults only need to show their physical card when they get a new job.

Keep in mind that having a new Social Security card won’t protect your child from identity theft. Since the number won’t change, the old card will still be valid.

If your child does need a new Social Security card, you can get one by following these steps:

1. Start gathering documents

You will have to prove your child’s identity to the SSA. This means you must provide evidence that attests to the child’s legal name, age, and U. S. citizenship. Parents of children born in the United States must provide two required documents:

Your child’s birth certificate. This proves your child’s citizenship and age. But, it’s not a valid proof of identity on its own.
Valid proof of identity. This could be a passport or a state or school-issued ID card. Medical, religious, or daycare records, and adoption decrees may also be accepted if they display the child’s date of birth and parents’ names.

If your child is a U.S. citizen born outside of the United States, you will need different documents. This includes any documents provided to you by the American consulate when you reported the birth, like the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240, CRBA).

If the child is not a U.S. citizen, you will have to produce appropriate immigration documents.

You will also have to prove your identity as a parent or legal guardian. The SSA will ask you to provide one of the following:

Your U. S. driver’s license
A state-issued non-driver’s identification card
Your passport
An employee ID card or health insurance card
A Certificate of Naturalization
A Certificate of Citizenship

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will have to verify your identity and immigration status to the SSA. This requires different documents, such as:

I-551 permanent resident card
I-94 arrival/departure record with a valid foreign passport
I-766 work permit from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

✅ Take action: If you think your child’s personal information could be in the wrong hands, try Aura’s identity theft protection free for 14 days to secure your identity.

2. Fill out the application form (Form SS-5)

The SSA accepts requests to replace Social Security cards with the SS-5 Form. Use this form to apply for an original card, replace a lost or stolen card, or change inaccurate information on your (or your child’s) Social Security record.

Applying for a new Social Security card is free. Every U.S. citizen can order up to three replacement Social Security cards per year, with a lifetime maximum of ten.

As a parent or legal guardian, you are entitled to complete this form on behalf of your child. The SSA also allows minors to sign for themselves if they can.

📚 Related: What To Do If Someone Has Your SSN →

3. Submit the completed application

Your application includes the SS-5 Form and all the required supporting documents. In general, the SSA wants to see the original documents, not photocopies. If you're uncomfortable sending these in the mail, submit your application in person at your local Social Security office.

Social Security card applications typically take 7–10 days to process. If the administration needs additional documentation from you or your child, processing times may stretch on.

Sometimes the process can take longer simply because administration staff have a backlog of cases to work through.

The SSA responds to every request and submission that it receives. If four weeks pass and you don’t receive a response, it’s possible your application was lost or misplaced. You’ll have to contact your local SSA office to find out what happened.

Use the SSA Office Locator to find the location closest to your zip code. If you live outside the United States, some American embassies are equipped to handle Social Security issues for U.S. citizens traveling abroad.

📌 Also note: The SSA may not accept notarized copies of documents. But you may be able to use certified copies from the issuing agency.

Was Your Child’s Social Security Card Stolen?

Most banks, institutions, and government agencies do not actually require people to show their SSA card. Anyone who knows your child’s Social Security number could potentially abuse it — whether they have the card or not. Thus, replacing your child’s Social Security card will not make your child any less susceptible to identity theft.

You may not immediately know if your child’s Social Security card was lost, misplaced, or stolen. If you believe that someone has unlawful access to your child’s Social Security number, look out for these signs of child identity theft:

Receiving bills and credit card offers in your child’s name.
Receiving phone calls from collection agencies asking for your child.
Finding out your child is on record with a major credit reporting agency.
Receiving notifications from the IRS in your child’s name.
Receiving phone calls or emails with messages not appropriate to your child’s age.

What to do if your child is a victim of identity theft

If you suspect someone has used your child’s Social Security number to engage in fraud, you must act quickly. The longer that fraudulent activity goes on, the harder it is to resolve.

The first thing to do is file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The easiest way to do this is through the FTC’s official website: IdentityTheft.gov. You may also wish to file a report with your local police department.
Next, contact the Social Security Administration’s fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or via www.ssa.gov/fraud. This allows you to notify the SSA about alleged suspects and details of the fraud. The SSA will launch an internal investigation.
If you have not already checked your child’s credit report, you should. Create an account for your child with one of the three major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian. They can set up a credit freeze that temporarily prevents new credit accounts from being opened in your child’s name.
Be sure to contact the companies that used your child’s Social Security number. Each company will respond differently; many have identity theft policies in place.
You may wish to sign up your child for additional credit monitoring services. Aura, for example, generates alerts each time there are changes to your child’s credit. If someone opens accounts in your child’s name, you will be notified.

You may need to keep credit monitoring active for a few years after you discover identity theft. This will help keep your child’s accounts safe after removing the credit freeze.

These steps are optional, but it’s highly recommended that you follow them before requesting a replacement Social Security card.

How to get a new Social Security number for your child

The SSA won’t consider assigning a new number until you and your child go through all the steps described above. Yet, it’s possible for identity thieves to continue opening accounts in your child’s name even after you’ve taken the right precautions.

If this happens, you may be able to convince the SSA to assign your child a completely new number. You will have to show that unauthorized activities continue to occur even after your attempts to secure your child’s identity.

You may also obtain a new Social Security number for your child if there is an imminent threat of personal harm. If identity thieves have threatened you or your child, the authorities will help you establish a new identity without putting your family in danger.

Protect Your Child’s Personal Information

Parents often need to share information about their children both online and offline. Websites and apps that target users under 13 years of age are regulated by the FTC’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) rule. They must notify parents about how they use a child's personal data.

You may also be asked to provide your child’s Social Security number when visiting the doctor or enrolling in school.

Always pay attention to others who may have direct access to your child’s personal information. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that 73% of child identity fraud victims know the perpetrator — such as a family member or close acquaintance. [*]

Only use your child’s Social Security number when necessary

According to the SSA, there are only a few cases in which sharing a child’s Social Security number is necessary:

When claiming your child as a dependent on your tax return.
When opening a bank account or buying savings bonds for your child.
When filling out hospital record data or subscribing to health insurance.
When applying for government services on your child’s behalf.

Offer alternate identification when possible

Most schools, hospitals, and other institutions let parents provide alternate identification for children. Applying for a U.S. passport for your child gives you the ability to prove your child’s identity without relying on their SSN.

Most organizations consider a passport sufficient to verify a child’s U.S. citizenship status. Passports don’t contain Social Security information, and they are much harder to counterfeit than Social Security cards.

Keep the original card safely stowed away

You almost never need to show a physical Social Security card to authorities. Children do not need to carry this card in their wallets like an ID — which just increases the risk of accidentally losing it.

The original card should be stored in a safe place along with other valuable identifying documents. Consider keeping the card wherever you keep your child’s U.S. birth certificate.

📚 Related: How Dangerous Is a Stolen (or Missing) Birth Certificate? →

Never share Social Security numbers by phone or email

No bank, hospital, or government agency will ask for Social Security information by phone or email. Be wary of anyone who claims to represent an institution through unsecured channels like these. If they are legitimate employees representing these institutions, they will have no trouble proving it.

Only share Social Security information on official forms and secure digital platforms. Most web browsers display a small lock icon next to the URL of secure websites.

This indicates that the website’s security certificate is valid. That doesn’t guarantee complete security, but it’s much better than sending sensitive data through unsecured email.

Be cautious when opening accounts in your child’s name

You will eventually want to open financial accounts in your child’s name. Some parents do this early on so that their children accumulate good credit by the time they reach adulthood.

To open any kind of account in your child’s name, you must share personal data. Most web apps and online communities require little more than an email address.

However, some can be intrusive, especially in the gaming and social media industries. Pay close attention to your children’s digital activities and the information that they share.

Pay even closer attention to institutional accounts opened in your child’s name. Banks let account holders set spending limits, and will send alerts about suspicious activity. Consider activating these security features on your child’s account.

Monitor your child’s social media usage

Identity thieves can find a wealth of valuable data on social media. Even seemingly harmless information can be harvested over time for identity theft. Your child’s network of friends, participation in afterschool activities, and location data can all play a part in these schemes.

Consider setting up supervised social media accounts for your children. Google, for example, requires users under the age of 13 to connect their accounts to adult supervisor accounts. This allows you to place restrictions on your child’s online activity.

Be aware that social media exposure goes beyond what your child posts or says online. It also includes things that other people — like friends, family members, or acquaintances — share on public networks.

📚 Related: How To Block Websites on iPhones and iPads [4 Ways] →

✅ Take action: Aura’s $1,000,000 identity theft insurance covers lost wages, phone bills, and other expenses due to identity theft. Try Aura free for 14 days and see if it’s right for you.

Use an SSN monitoring service

SSN monitoring providers like Aura scan credit reports and other data streams to identify when someone’s Social Security number is being used. This way, Aura can arm you with early warning signs of attempted identity theft and fraud.

For example, Aura may alert you that your child’s Social Security number is associated with another person’s name or mailing address. You can also receive notifications if your child’s SSN was used in a credit transaction or to send money via a wire transfer.

Aura can provide you with clear evidence that someone is fraudulently using your child’s Social Security number. Advance warning can give you the time you need to secure your child’s financial information even in the face of relentless criminal activity.

Keep your child’s SSN safe from scammers. Try Aura free for 14 days.

How Do I Replace A Child's Social Security Card?

David Levine | February 13, 2023

The nine-digit Social Security number is the primary identifier for the U. S. government. Along with a birth certificate, a Social Security card is one of the first documents a child’s parents or guardians get to store in a filing cabinet.

Most everyone in the U.S. needs the number to get a job and begin acquiring the credits needed to claim Social Security and other government benefits and services. The number allows the Social Security Administration (SSA) to record the child’s earnings once he or she begins working, and to credit the child for retirement benefits once he or she becomes eligible.

SSA recommends that the card be kept in a safe place with other important documents. The card itself is important – but it’s not critical. In fact, for most business transactions, the individual only needs to know their Social Security number. SSA says that a lost card does not always need to be replaced.

If you do need to replace your child’s Social Security card, it’s pretty easy.

Gather Documents

You must provide SSA with the appropriate documents about the child. These must prove:

The Child's Identity: A document that shows your child’s name, identifying information (date of birth, age or parent’s names), and preferably a photograph, such as:

State-issued nondriver’s identification card
U.S. passport
Adoption decree
Doctor, clinic or hospital record
Religious record
School or daycare center record
School identification card

SSA notes that you can use a birth certificate to prove age or citizenship, but you cannot use it as proof of identity. SSA needs evidence that shows the child continues to exist beyond the date of birth.

The Child’s Age: You must submit a U.S. birth certificate if one exists. If a birth certificate does not exist, SSA may be able to accept the child’s:

Religious record made before the age of 5 showing the date of birth
U.S. hospital record of birth
U.S. passport

The Child’s U. S. Citizenship: SSA will accept one of the following documents for your child:

U.S. birth certificate
U.S. consular report of birth abroad
U.S. passport
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship

You must also provide a document showing your name, identifying information and photograph, such as one of the following:

U.S. driver’s license
State-issued nondriver’s identification card
U.S. passport

All of these documents must be either the original document or a certified copy from the issuing agency. SSA will not accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

All documents must be current – that is, not expired. SSA may use one document for two purposes. For example, it may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity.

Any documents mailed to SSA will be returned to you along with a receipt.

Complete Forms

After gathering the appropriate documents, you must complete an Application for a Social Security card.

Once completed, take or mail the application and the required documents to your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center. SSA will accept your application and documents and provide you with a receipt.

There is no charge for applying for a new Social Security card.

Receive a New Social Security Card

SSA will mail the new card to you as soon as it has reviewed and verified all of the required documents. SSA says you should receive the card within 10 business days from the date on the receipt. The replacement card will have the same Social Security number as the previous card.

SSA reminds you that, if you know the child's Social Security number but have lost the card, you may not need to replace the card. Call your local SSA office if you are unsure and want more information.

You can call the SSA toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. Hours are between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Social cards of pupils, students, residents and post-graduate students

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Social cards of pupils, students, residents and graduate students

The social card of a student (pupil), student, resident and graduate student can be used for travel in ground transport, metro, monorail and MCC. Discount tickets can be written on the card for 30 days and 90 days, including the day of sale, but not more than the validity period of the social card transport application, respectively. The number of trips is not limited.

Registration of a student's, student's, resident's and postgraduate student's social card is available at any My Documents public service center (MFC) in Moscow or on the mos.ru portal.

Card transfer to other persons is prohibited.

		Zone "Central"	Zone "Suburb"	Zone "Far"
1 trip		-	Discount tickets - 50% of the total cost at a suburban tariff with registration at the box office before the trip	-
30 days	+	470 ₽	-	-
30 days		300 ₽	-	-
30 days	+ +	715 ₽	-	-
90 days	+	1340 ₽	-	-
90 days		870 ₽	-	-
90 days	+ +	2055 ₽	-	-

A ticket for 1 trip is sold only on paper.

Replenishment of students' social cards for land transport

You can top up your social card at kiosks and vending machines of Mosgortrans State Unitary Enterprise. Additional card activation is not required.

Refill points

You can top up your social card at Eleksnet terminals. Additional card activation is not required.

Refill points

You can top up your social card at the terminals of the Moscow Credit Bank. Additional card activation is not required.

Refill points

Mobile apps

You can top up your social card through free mobile applications. The service is available only to owners of smartphones with the Android operating system and a connected NFC module.

Additional card activation is not required.

Moscow Metro Application

Troika. Verification and replenishment»

My Smart City app

If the social card does not work or it is impossible to replenish it, contact the service windows at the Kuntsevskaya, Prospekt Vernadskogo and Savelovskaya stations of the BKL, the Moscow Transport service centers or the passenger service department of the State Unitary Enterprise Mosgortrans.

1. Kuntsevskaya (exit 3), Prospekt Vernadskogo (exit 8-9) and Savelovskaya (exit 6-7) stations have three service windows each. They can receive any services of the Moscow Transport service centers and solve problems with the Troika card that have arisen when paying for travel in the metro and the MCC.
Opening hours: daily from 8:00 to 20:00.
Holidays: January 1, January 7, February 23, March 8, May 1, May 9, June 12, November 4 and December 31.

2. Service center "Moscow transport":
* st. Staraya Basmannaya, 20, bldg. 1.
Working hours: from 8:00 to 20:00 daily.
Holidays: January 1, January 7, February 23, March 8, May 1, May 9, June 12, November 4 and December 31.
Moscow Transport Contact Center: +7 (495) 539-54-54 and 3210 (mobile)

3. Department for work with passengers of the State Unitary Enterprise "Mosgortrans":
Lubyansky proezd, 5.
Working hours: Mon. – Thu. from 8:00 to 17:00, Fri. from 8:00 to 15:45 (break from 12:00 to 12:45).
Phone: +7 (495) 628-83-73.

Detailed information about social cards can be found on the mos.ru portal.

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Content

1 Types of the Social Card of Moskvich and benefits
2 Social card of beneficiaries
3 Social card of a university student or orderly
4 School card
5 Social card for a pregnant woman
6 Social card for an employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
7 SCM for citizens receiving housing subsidies
8 How to check if the card is ready?

Muscovite Social Card (SCM) is a microprocessor-based plastic card issued to beneficiaries living in the capital of Russia.

You can apply for a social card through Gosuslugi, the mos.ru portal or at the MFC - in person or through a representative (by proxy). For all questions regarding the issuance of a social card, please call 8 (845) 539-55-55 from 8:00 to 20:00 every day.

The procedure for issuing a card is regulated by the law of the city of Moscow dated November 3, 2004 No. 70 “On measures of social support for certain categories of residents of the city of Moscow”. The categories of residents of Moscow and the Moscow Region eligible to receive a social card are listed in Decree of the Government of Moscow dated November 18, 2014 No. 668-PP (Appendix No. 3).

The service can be obtained at any of the 100 public service centers of the capital, the MFC “My Documents”, the addresses of which can be found on the official website of the Mayor of Moscow (you must first register on this portal), you can also make an appointment there. In some cases, the application can be submitted electronically.

Types of Muscovite's social card and benefits

There are several types of SCM, including:

beneficiary's social card;
SCM of a university student or resident;
student or college student card;
SCM for pregnant women;
card for an employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
SCM for citizens eligible for housing subsidies.

What are the benefits of SCM?

Reduced or free (for privileged category of citizens) travel on public transport.
Possibility of contactless payment for purchases.
4% per annum on the balance (for beneficiaries).
The ability to quickly make an appointment with a doctor through information kiosks in the clinic.
Opportunity to pay for a social taxi (for disabled people and members of large families living in low-rise housing stock in Moscow).
The opportunity to receive social benefits, a pension (for this, pensioners need to contact the regional department of social protection or a pension fund), a scholarship (for this you need to contact a university or social protection authorities), a baby allowance (after contacting social protection or an employer), a housing subsidy ( to do this, you need to contact the MFC, the department of social protection, the pension fund of the Russian Federation or the City Center for Housing Subsidies).
Payment for housing and communal services without commission on the ru portal or through VTB Bank of Moscow.
Payment for purchases with a social certificate (for beneficiaries and expectant mothers).
Discounts in 5.5 thousand trade and service points of the capital (provided to all SCM owners, except for employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs).
The ability to use the Moskvenok service, with which parents can check their child's attendance at an educational institution, and students can visit Moscow museums for free (for schoolchildren and college students).

Beneficiary's social card

Who belongs to the category of beneficiaries?

WWII veterans.
Heroes of the USSR and the Russian Federation, awarded orders and medals of the USSR and the Russian Federation, bearing honorary titles.
Orphans.
Disabled people of groups I and II, disabled people of groups II and III of limited ability to work, as well as persons accompanying them.
One of the parents and children of a large family.
Pensioners.

What documents are required for registration?

Documents that can confirm the right to receive benefits (pension certificate, certificate of disability, certificate of a war veteran, certificate of a mother of many children, etc.).
Passport.
Birth certificate (up to 14 years old).
Medical insurance policy.
SNILS.
Photo 3x4 (optional).

The procedure for issuing SCM involves 3 stages.

Submit an application through the MFC "My Documents" with a full package of the above papers.
The card is prepared within 30 calendar days after the submission of the application. During this period, a preferential travel card is issued for all types of public transport.
SCM is received at the same place where the documents for its execution were submitted. You need to take a tear-off coupon for an application for issuing an SCM and a passport with you.

It is better to write down the 16-digit bank number of the card somewhere so that if the card is lost, it can be quickly restored.

University student's or resident's social card

SCM is provided to university students and residents under the following conditions.

Full-time study in higher educational institutions of Moscow (applies to foreign citizens receiving higher education in the capital of the Russian Federation).
Full-time study at universities in other cities of Russia with Moscow registration.

The registration procedure depends on whether the student is a citizen of the Russian Federation.

Before applying for the SCM, you need to find your name in the student register on the website. If you have not found yourself, you need to sign a consent to the processing of personal data at the university.

Students who are citizens of the Russian Federation can apply for SCM via the Internet (for this you need to be registered on the mos.ru portal). In the application, you must specify the data of the passport and the MHI policy, the address of registration, select the university and course of study, leave contact information, and attach a photo in JPEG format. After that, you need to select a bank and an MFC where the student can receive a card. As soon as the SCM is ready, a message will be sent to your personal account on the website.

In other cases, the service can only be received in person. To do this, you need to take an identity card with you (passport of a foreign citizen, residence permit, etc.) and a photo 3x4 cm.

Schoolchild or college student card

Students of Moscow schools and colleges regardless of their place of registration (including citizens of other countries), as well as students with Moscow registration receiving education in other cities can receive a schoolchild or college student social card Russia.

How to issue this type of card?

You can apply for SCM in person or through the mos.ru portal. To do this, in the "Services" section, you need to find the "Student's Social Card" subsection, by opening which you can proceed to receive the service.
Next, you need to fill out the application form, indicating the educational institution, the data of the birth certificate or student's passport (if any), the MHI policy, the passport of one of the parents, as well as uploading a photo in JPEG format.
When the card is ready, a message will be sent to your account.
You can get a card at your school or college. To do this, you need to show an identity document and the number of the application for issuing a card.
SCM must be activated in your account within 30 days.

Those who are registered in the capital but study in another city must contact the public services center, taking a certificate from the place of study (no more than a month old), a student's passport (if any) or one of the parents, a birth certificate.

Persons registered and studying outside of Moscow, under the age of 14 or who do not have registration marks in their passport, must also provide a single housing document, a copy of the tenant's financial account or an extract from the house register.

You can pick up SCM at the MFC where the registration took place. To do this, you need to have an identity card and a tear-off application slip with you.

Social card for a pregnant woman

Women registered in the antenatal clinic before the 20th week of pregnancy and registered in Moscow are also eligible for SCM.

The following documents will be required for registration:

passport;
compulsory medical insurance policy;
certificate of registration before the 20th week of pregnancy;
SNILS.

Registration procedure:

with the above documents, you must contact the My Documents center to write an application for a card;
, you can get a ready-made SCM at the same MFC. To do this, you need to take with you a tear-off coupon for issuing a card and a passport.

Social card for an employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in Moscow are also entitled to receive a social card. For registration, you need to contact the personnel department at the place of work. The card will be ready within 30 days.

SCM for citizens receiving housing subsidies

Persons registered with the City Center for housing subsidies and receiving them are entitled to receive a social card.

After applying for a housing subsidy, you can apply to the MFC, taking with you an identity card, compulsory medical insurance policy, SNILS and a certificate of receipt of this subsidy.

You can pick up the finished card at the same place where you applied for its issuance. You need to have a passport and a tear-off coupon for issuing the SCM with you.