The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made some exciting changes in the last year. Previously, it was very difficult to change a child’s social security number after adoption, leaving the child at risk for identity fraud. While the name on the card was changed after adoption to reflect the child’s new name, the number typically remained the same. Now, however, it’s just a matter of requesting the change, and providing the necessary documentation to the SSA.
To be issued a new number, the child must be under the age of 18. A parent must take their adoption decree and their child’s new birth certificate to their local SSA office. If the child is 12 or older, the child must accompany the parent to the office.
It’s important to ask your adoption attorney for a copy of the SSA’s new policy, so you can take it with you to the SSA in the event the clerk is unfamiliar with the policy change.
Another way to protect your child from identity fraud is to place a freeze on the child’s credit. For information on how to do this, please go to How to Freeze Your Child’s Credit.
