How Do I Look Up My Child’s Social Security Number?

Last Updated on May 11, 2022 by Fair Punishment Team

If you’re currently on the search for your child’s security number, then we’re sure that you’ll agree with us when we say that locating it can be quite a complicated and lengthy process… especially if you’ve lost or misplaced your important documents that contain it.

Having your child’s social security number will be important for a variety of different reasons, including in order to get them listed as a dependent on your tax return, in order to acquire health insurance for your little one, or even just to successfully and easily claim government benefits without any hiccups.

With that being said, if you have happened to accidentally misplace or forget your child’s social security number, then rest assured that there are multiple ways to quickly retrieve the security number once again – and we’re here to show you how.

Below, we are going to be talking you through how to go about getting your child’s social security number, as well as a helpful alternative, too. Read on!

How Do I Look Up My Child’s Social Security Number

How To Look Up Your Child’s Social Security Number

If you’ve accidentally lost your child’s social security number, then rest assured that all is not lost!

Even though it is not possible to simply “look up” your child’s social security number, you can look up any previous tax returns that your child is a dependent on, as these tax returns will clearly state your child’s social security number on them.

Failing that, you will need to reach out to the Social Security Administration office, who will be able to help you and assist you further as you try and retrieve your child’s current social security number.

In some instances, it might be possible to get it back via this method.

The main reason as to why it’s not possible to simply look up a social security number is because it is strictly confidential, which means that they are not available for access on public-access domains such as the internet.

What To Do If You Cannot Retrieve Your Child’s Social Security Number

In the instance that, forever whatever reason, you are unable to effectively retrieve your child’s social security number, then rest assured that applying for a brand new one for your child is simple as can be.

Check out our steps below to ensure that you’re able to get a new social security number for your child below:

What To Do If You Cannot Retrieve Your Child’s Social Security Number

1. Gather Identification Documents For Your Child

First things first, in order to ensure that you are able to retrieve your child’s social security number without any trouble, you’re first going to need to make sure that you have gathered important documents that the Social Security Administration will ask you to provide them with in order to go through with the process of assigning your child a new social security number.

More often than not, you will typically be required to present the Social Security Administration with a birth certificate and another document (U.S Issued) in order to verify the identity of your child and reduce the chance of any fraudulency.

As we have already mentioned briefly above, this additional document can be an official document issued in the USA, including a passport, official school card, or even a hospital/medical document.

Once you have provided the Social Security Administration with this necessary information, they will then be able to begin the process of assigning your child a new social security number in place of the one that you forgot/misplaced.

2. Gather Identification Documents For Yourself

After you have taken the time to gather all of the necessary documents required to prove your child’s identity, you will then need to prove your own identity to the Social Security Administration, too.

In some instances, you’re likely not going to need to provide your Social Security Administration with your birth certificate, although do keep in mind that you might be asked to provide this in some exceptional circumstances.

However, while it might not be necessary to show your birth certificate, you will definitely be asked to provide them with the U.S issued identification document, such as a passport or more commonly, your driver’s license.

Do keep in mind that this is common practice and helps the Social Security Administration to lower the chances of any fraudulent activity or identity theft.

3. Head To Your Nearest Social Security Office

Once you’re confident that you have all of the necessary information and documents to provide in order to grant your child a brand new social security number – all you will then need to do is pay a visit to your nearest Social Security Administration office.

Once you are there, you will be required to fill out an application so that the new social security number can be approved, while also allowing the representative assigned to you to make all of the necessary checks to verify that both you and your child are who you say you are.

As we have already mentioned above, please remember that the representative will not be questioning your identity, but making the necessary checks to help prevent fraud.

In addition to this, even though you will be able to go through the application and fill it out while you are at the Social Security office, if you want to speed the process up even more you could also opt to download the application online, and then bring it along with you on the day. It’s entirely up to you!

As a side note, it is also worth mentioning that it will be a good idea to bring your child along with you to the Social Security office on the day that you have made your appointment.

Even though it’s not necessarily a requirement, doing so will help to speed up the verification process, as your child will be with you there in person.