Original Card for a U.S. Born Child 
Important Social Security must verify a birth record for all U.S .- born applicants who apply for an original Social Security number. An exception is made for a parent who applies for a baby's Social Security number at the hospital when the baby is born. To verify a birth record , Social Security will contact the office that issued it. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. Get a certified copy of a document showing a birth, marriage or divorce that took place in the U.S. 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? 
Citizenship We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport. Age If your child has or can obtain a U.S .- State - Issued birth certificate that recorded his or her birth before age 5 , you must submit it. If not , we can consider other documents, such as your child's passport, to prove his or her age. Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number must appear in person for an interview. We will ask for evidence to show that your child does not have a Social Security number. Here are examples of documents you can use to prove a Social Security number was never assigned : If your child lived outside the United States for an extended period , a current or previous passpo

user: How do I obtain an original social security card for a child born in the U.S.?

assistant: It is important that you have the proper documentation to get started.

assistant: Are you able to verify the child's birth record?

user: No, I don't have that documentation in my possession. 

user: What original documents do I need in order to get my child's social security card?

assistant: You would need documents that verify proof of citizenship. 

user: Can I use their U.S. state issued birth certificate as proof of citizenship?

assistant: Yes, that is a valid form you must submit as long as it shows their birth before age 5.

user: What happens if I can't find their U.S. state issued birth certificate? 

assistant: If you don't have this in your possession will need to see other documentation such as the child's passport to prove their age.

user: Can I use a birth certificate as proof of identity for my child?

assistant: No, social security needs more than a date of birth to verify their identity.

user: What exceptions are made for verifying birth records to obtain social security for my child?

assistant: Exceptions are made when parents apply for a social security number at the hospital when the baby is born.