Getting a Social Security number (SSN) for a child born abroad is a crucial step toward ensuring your child can access benefits and services in the U.S. even though they weren’t born in the country.

If you’re wondering how to get a Social Security number for a child born abroad, this article will guide you through the process of applying for an SSN for your foreign-born child. We’ll also discuss the best practices for safeguarding your child’s SSN and monitoring their credit information.

Can You Get a Social Security Number for a Child Born Abroad?

Yes, you can obtain an SSN for a child born outside the U.S. The process is similar to applying for an SSN for a child born in America, which entails submitting the original documents proving:

• Child’s age
• Child’s U.S. citizenship
• Child’s identity
• Identity of the parent submitting the application

Aside from this evidence, you’ll need to provide additional documentation for children born abroad. This may include visas, foreign adoption records, or any other relevant records specific to your situation. You can apply for an SSN for your child at any Social Security Administration (SSA) office or the U.S. Embassy.

Steps To Apply for an SSN for a Child Born Abroad

To ensure a smooth process when applying for an SSN for your child born outside the U.S., follow these steps:

1. Research and gather the required documents
2. Complete the application for a Social Security card (Form SS-5)
3. Submit the application and supporting documents
4. Follow up on your application status

Research and Gather the Required Documents

Before you begin the application process, make sure you have all the required documents. You’ll need certified copies of the following:

• Your child’s birth certificate or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)—The CRBA serves as proof of your child’s U.S. citizenship. You can obtain it from the U.S. Embassy or consulate in the country of birth
• Your child’s U.S. passport—This document serves both as proof of your child’s identity and their U.S. citizenship
•  Your SSN—Providing your SSN will help the Social Security Administration (SSA) process the application and link your child’s records to yours

Complete the Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5)

Download Form SS-5 from SSA’s website and fill it out carefully. The application includes information such as your child’s name and their date and place of birth. Make sure all the information matches the details you’ve provided in the supporting documents to avoid potential delays or complications.

Submit the Application and Supporting Documents

Send the completed Form SS-5 along with certified copies of the required documents to the U.S. Embassy or consulate by mail so they can verify the authenticity of the documents. Make sure to keep copies of all files you submit to make your record-keeping easier and have a backup in case of any discrepancies.

Follow Up on Your Application Status

Periodically contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate where you submitted your application to get updates on your application status and guidance on any further steps. The processing time can vary, so it’s important to remain patient. If it seems like your application is taking longer than expected, you can reach out to the embassy, the consulate, or the SSA for assistance.

Why Do Children Living Abroad Need a Social Security Number?

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An SSN primarily serves as a means of identification for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. While a person’s SSN plays a role in employment, taxes, and accessing government services within the U.S., it also holds significance for U.S. citizens’ children residing overseas. Obtaining an SSN for a child in a foreign country is important because it enables you to:

1. Open a bank account for the child
2. Get medical coverage for your child
3. Apply for government services for the child
4. Buy savings bonds for your child

Opening a Bank Account for a Child

Banking institutions typically require an SSN to open an account, so your child will need to have one if you want to open a bank account in their name in the U.S. This unique number helps banks verify the account holder’s identity, preventing criminals from opening fraudulent accounts in someone else’s name.

An SSN also plays a role in building your child’s creditworthiness. Having an SSN that would be tied to their U.S.-based bank account can help establish your child’s credit history from an early age.

Getting Medical Coverage for Your Child

In the U.S., securing medical coverage for your child typically requires you to provide both your SSNs so that insurance companies can verify the identities of both the policyholder and the beneficiary.

Some U.S. citizens residing abroad may have jobs that offer U.S.-based health benefits. To access these benefits for their dependents, companies or insurance providers may require the SSN of the child, even if they were born abroad.

Applying for Government Services for the Child

Many U.S. government programs or benefits for those living abroad may require you to provide your child’s SSN. Examples include federal educational assistance and certain welfare programs.

A child with U.S. citizenship may need to make use of the rights or services provided by the U.S. government at some point, like when applying for FAFSA to get college loans or free financial aid. In these cases, having an SSN can simplify the verification process and facilitate access to these benefits.

Buying Savings Bonds for Your Child

U.S. savings bonds are popular and secure investment tools that parents often get for their children as a gift. To acquire these bonds, the U.S. Department of Treasury generally requires both you and your child to have SSNs.

Since the interest earned from U.S. savings bonds is subject to taxes, the SSN helps with keeping track of and reporting this interest, ensuring compliance with U.S. tax laws.

How To Protect Your Foreign-Born Child’s SSN

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After obtaining an SSN for your child born abroad, you need to proactively protect it from identity thieves.

Children are especially vulnerable to SSN theft because they may not be aware of the associated identity theft risks or ways to protect themselves. Identity criminals can use their SSNs to open bank accounts or apply for credit cards more easily due to their clean credit history.

Prior to 2011, SSNs were tied to geological location and birthdate. In 2011, the SSA began randomizing the numbers, making it more complicated to ensure whether they’re used by the correct recipient and increasing the risk of identity theft.

Safety Measures for Protecting Your Child’s SSN

Here are some responsible measures you can take to ensure the safety of your child’s SSN:

Protection Measure	Description
Limit sharing	Only share your child’s SSN when necessary. For example, if your child’s school asks for it, provide it only if you know why it’s needed and how it will be secured
Store securely	Keep your child’s Social Security card in a safe or lockbox. Avoid carrying it with you or allowing your child to carry it to limit the risk of having their SSN stolen
Monitor mail	Pay attention to any mail addressed to your child since credit card offers or bills in their name could be a sign of identity theft using their SSN
Protect digital data	If you store the SSN digitally, ensure that your devices have strong passwords and up-to-date security software
Shred documents	When discarding paperwork containing your child’s SSN, make sure to shred it to prevent access
Educate your child	Teach your child about the significance of their SSN as they get older. Emphasize the importance of not sharing this information and being cautious about scams, particularly online
Regularly check credit reports	Make it a habit to regularly review your child’s credit reports. This can help identify any suspicious activities associated with their SSN

While necessary, protecting your child’s information on your own takes a lot of effort. If you need a hand in safeguarding your child’s private data, FreeKick can help.

FreeKick—Parent-Sponsored ID Monitoring and Credit Profile Building

Provided by Austin Capital Bank, FreeKick is an FDIC-insured deposit account that comes with identity protection services for your family and helps your child establish creditworthiness. Good credit can save your child $200,000 over their lifetime by giving them access to better loan terms and other financial benefits.

FreeKick’s Identity Monitoring Services

While identity theft is on the rise, FreeKick helps safeguard your and your child’s private information from the risks of this crime. Every 30 seconds, a child’s identity is stolen—don’t let yours become a statistic.

Identity protection features for adult children and parents include:

• Credit profile monitoring
• Social Security number 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
• Non-Credit (Payday) loan monitoring
• Free FICO® Score monthly
• FICO® Score factors
• Experian credit report monthly

For protecting the identities of your minor children, FreeKick offers the following features:

• Credit profile monitoring 
• Social Security number monitoring 
• Dark Web monitoring for child’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

FreeKick’s Parent-Sponsored Credit Building

Building a credit profile early in life can be incredibly beneficial—it gives your child plenty of opportunities to improve their credit score and enjoy the advantages it brings. Here’s how FreeKick builds your child’s credit profile in three steps:

1. Create an Account—Visit FreeKick.bank, choose a plan based on the deposit options offered, and activate your account by choosing the Activate Credit Building option in your profile dashboard
2. Set It and Forget It—Once your account is activated, FreeKick creates a 12-month credit history for your child through a zero-interest credit-builder loan that gets repaid using the deposit
3. Keep Growing—After 12 months, you can renew your account or close it and receive a full refund of your deposit

If your child is a legal adult, credit reporting will start within 90 days of opening the account. If they’re a minor, they can activate credit reporting once they turn 18 (19 in Alabama) by selecting Activate Credit Reporting.

FreeKick Pricing

With FreeKick, you can use the savings you already have for your children to protect them and build their credit, or get started with no deposit and a small annual fee.

Every plan includes premium identity protection for two parents and six children and credit building for six children aged 13 to 25:

FDIC-Insured Deposit Amount	Annual Fee
$3,000	$0 (Free)
No deposit	$149

Safeguard your child’s identity and set the financial foundation they deserve—join FreeKick today.