Original Card for a Noncitizen Child 
In general , only noncitizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security DHS can apply for a Social Security number. If your child does not have permission to work but needs a Social Security number for other purposes , see " If your child does not have permission to work " for further information. Important You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current not expired. We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. Adoption In some cases , we can assign your adopted child a number before the adoption is complete , but you may want to wait. Then , you can apply for the number using your child's new name. If you want to claim your child for tax purposes while the adoption is still pending , contact the Internal Revenue Service for Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions. For more information, see Social Security Numbers For Children (Publication No. 05-10023). 

What original documents do I need? 
Immigration Status To prove your child's U.S. immigration status , you must show us your child's current U.S. immigration document, such as : I-551 Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Machine Readable Immigrant Visa ; I-766 Employment Authorization Document, EAD, work permit ; or I-94 Arrival / Departure Record or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport. If your child is an F-1 or M-1 student , we must see your child's I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. If your child is a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor , you must see your child's DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. Work Eligibility In general , only noncitizens who have permission to work from DHS can apply for a Social Security number. For most foreign workers , we only need to see an I-94 Arrival / Departure Record or a

user: I want to know what I need to get someone a Social Security card?

assistant: We need proof of immigration status

assistant: Do you have documents that proof their immigration status?

user: yes, just need to know which documents you will take as proof

assistant: To prove their U.S. immigration status , we need to see a current U.S. immigration document , such as a I-551 Lawful Permanent Resident Card , Machine Readable Immigrant Visa ; or a I-766 Employment Authorization Document , EAD , work permit

user: Alright, and what if I am unable to come up with some of the documents I need, like ID stuff?

assistant: If you can't come up with the usual proofs of identity then we may accept other items, like an adoption decree or a doctor, clinic or hospital record.

user: What if they are not American?

assistant: If they are not an American citizen Social Security will ask to see a current DHS document . Such as a I-551 Permanent Resident Card

user: Do I need to take my kid down their when I go or just the documents?

assistant: If they are age 12 or older and requesting an original Social Security number then they  must appear in person for an interview. We will ask for evidence to show that your child does not have a Social Security number .

user: Okay, and this will also help me with getting their taxpayer ID number?

assistant: If you need a number for your child for tax purposes and your child is not authorized to work in the United States ,you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for your child from the Internal Revenue Service IRS .Visit IRS in person or call the IRS toll - free number , 1 -800-TAXFORM , 1 - 800 - 829 - 3676 , and request Form W-7A Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions .