As an adoptive parent, obtaining a Social Security number (SSN) for your adopted child is one of the crucial steps following adoption. Having an SSN enables your child to get medical care, open a bank account, apply for a driver’s license or state ID, and even file taxes.

If you’re unsure how to get a new Social Security number for an adopted child, our comprehensive guide will walk you through the process. We’ll cover what documents you’ll need, how to apply, and what steps to take after completing the application.

Why You Need To Get a New SSN for Your Adopted Child

Having an SSN is more than a bureaucratic requirement—it plays a vital role in safeguarding the welfare of your adopted child. Getting an SSN for an adopted child will help you do the following:

• Register your child as a dependent when filing taxes
• Open a bank account in your child’s name
• Invest in savings bonds for your child’s future financial needs
• Start an education savings plan to cover your child’s college expenses
• Ensure your child has access to healthcare coverage
• Make your child eligible for state or federal government assistance programs

What Paperwork Is Needed To Apply for an SSN for an Adopted Child?

Getting an SSN for an adopted child involves gathering all the required documents to confirm the child’s identity and eligibility for an SSN. Here are the key documents you’ll need:

• Adoption finalization document—You must provide a court order or decree that finalizes the adoption as proof that the child has been legally adopted
• Child’s birth certificate—This document is necessary to establish your child’s identity and date of birth
• Proof of identity for adoptive parents—It’s necessary to provide identification paperwork for both parents, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID card, to prove your identity and relationship with the child
• Child immigration documents (if applicable)—If your adopted child isn’t a U.S. citizen, you’ll need to provide immigration documents like a resident (green) card or visa to verify your child’s immigration status

To make the process of applying for an SSN for an adopted child more smooth and efficient, ensure you gather all the paperwork in advance.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Social Security Number for an Adopted Child

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If your child received an SSN before being adopted, you can apply for a new one. Many parents do this to protect their child’s identity since a brand new SSN shields the child from any risks their previous SSN may have been exposed to.

While you may want to get a new SSN immediately, it’s advisable to wait until your child’s birth certificate is updated so that the details on their Social Security card will match. Here’s a step-by-step guide to simplify the application process:

1. Complete Form SS-5—This is the SSN application form that you can find on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. Complete all sections to provide the child’s personal information, parent’s details, and any other necessary data
2. Submit application and documentation—Submit the completed SS-5 form and the originals or certified copies of all the documents you gathered to the SSA
3. Await confirmation—Once your application is approved, a new Social Security card will be sent to the address you provided on the form. Typically, this process takes 6–12 weeks, although there may be delays due to busy periods or special circumstances. If any issues arise with your application, the SSA will contact you directly

How To Protect Your Adopted Child’s SSN

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After receiving an SSN for your adopted child, you should take precautions to safeguard it since identity criminals often target children’s SSNs. Foster or adopted children are especially vulnerable to identity theft because their personal information passes through multiple hands and systems, increasing the risk of exposure or mishandling.

Here are five tips to help you protect your adopted child’s SSN:

1. Store important documents in a secure location
2. Limit SSN sharing 
3. Monitor credit reports regularly
4. Educate your child on digital security
5. Invest in a paid identity theft protection service

Store Important Documents in a Secure Location

Store any documents containing your child’s SSN—such as their Social Security card or adoption paperwork—in a secure location like a filing cabinet, a home safe, or even a safe deposit box at a bank.

Physical documents can easily get lost, stolen, or accessed by unauthorized individuals if not properly secured. By keeping them locked, you significantly reduce the risk of someone stealing your child’s SSN from these documents.

Limit SSN Sharing 

Only share your child’s SSN when necessary, like when enrolling your child in school or filing taxes. Always inquire why the SSN is required and whether you can use alternative methods of identification.

The more the SSN is shared, the greater the risk of it being compromised or mishandled. By limiting sharing, you’re minimizing the opportunities for identity criminals to obtain this number.

Monitor Credit Reports Regularly

Consider using a credit monitoring service or periodically requesting a credit report for your child. You can get free annual reports from the three major credit bureaus :

1. Equifax
2. Experian
3. TransUnion

Identity criminals often try to steal children’s SSNs due to their clean credit records. Since your child can’t access credit until they’re at least 16 years old, any credit profile activity can indicate SSN misuse. What’s even more worrying is that this can go unnoticed until your child reaches adulthood and faces difficulties. Fortunately, regular monitoring can ensure early detection of any signs of identity theft.

Educate Your Child on Digital Security

Teaching your child about the potential dangers of disclosing personal details such as their SSN online will help them learn to safeguard their privacy. This involves explaining how phishing scams work, how to be cautious when receiving friend requests, and how to create unique passwords for their online accounts.

Younger children may not fully comprehend the seriousness of sharing private information. By educating them on this matter, you can help prevent the disclosure of any details that cybercriminals could exploit.

Invest in a Paid Identity Theft Protection Service

With cybercrime getting increasingly sophisticated, it’s wise to consider adding an extra layer of security. Subscribing to identity theft protection services specifically designed to safeguard minors can help you detect any unauthorized use of your child’s SSN more easily.

Make sure that the service you opt for also provides restoration assistance and can guide you through the steps in case child identity theft occurs. Besides protecting your child’s personal information, you should also think about ensuring their financial future—and FreeKick can help with both.

Parent-Sponsored Credit Monitoring and Building With FreeKick

While identity theft is on the rise, FreeKick provides a sense of relief for parents. Powered by Austin Capital Bank, FreeKick offers a solution that can not only protect your and your adopted child’s personal information but also help them establish a strong credit profile.

Reduce SSN Identity Theft Risks With FreeKick

A child’s identity gets stolen every 30 seconds, making identity protection a necessity. To ensure comprehensive ID monitoring, FreeKick offers a range of services specifically designed for children, young adults, and their parents:

Identity Protection Services for Minors	Identity Protection Services for Adult Children and Parents
Credit profile monitoring SSN monitoring Dark web monitoring for children’s personal information Up to $1 million identity theft insurance Full-service white-glove concierge credit restoration Sex offender monitoring—based on sponsor parent’s address	Credit profile monitoring SSN monitoring Dark web monitoring for personal information Up to $1 million identity theft insurance Full-service white-glove concierge credit restoration Lost wallet protection Court records monitoring Change of address monitoring Free FICO® Score monthly FICO® Score factors Experian credit report monthly Non-Credit (Payday) loan monitoring

Each FreeKick plan covers two parents and six children aged 13–25.

Secure Your Child’s Financial Future With FreeKick’s Credit Building Features

In addition to securing your adopted child’s SSN, FreeKick will also help you start investing in their financial future. By helping your child build their credit, you can help them save up to $200,000 throughout adulthood by securing favorable loan terms and better financial opportunities.

Here’s how FreeKick’s credit building works:

1. Create an Account—Go to FreeKick.bank and choose the plan that suits your budget. Then, click on Activate Credit Building in the account dashboard
2. Set It and Forget It—FreeKick offers a loan with no interest to build your child’s credit history over 12 months without your involvement
3. Keep Growing—Once the first term is complete, you can continue with another term, allowing FreeKick to further improve your child’s credit for up to 48 months

If you don’t want to renew the account for another term, you can close it before the 12-month period ends without incurring cancellation fees. However, closing your account will also terminate monitoring services.

If you cancel your plan before your child reaches adulthood and activates credit reporting, no account credit will be reported because credit bureaus only accept credit reporting for adults.

FreeKick Pricing

FreeKick offers different plans for every budget, and you don’t have to think about tiring monthly subscriptions. Check out the plans below:

Deposit	Annual Fee
$3,000	$0 (Free)
No deposit	$149

Don’t leave your child’s identity and financial success to chance—sign up for FreeKick today.