How do I get a Social Security Card for child ?

[I Am Mello 0]

My wife went to the Social Security office to apply for her SS# today.

They allowed her to apply but NOT her 10 year old daughter. Her daughter was brought here with her mother under the

K-1 at the same time and point of entry. The SS Office says we need an "I-688B" or an "I-766" for her daughter. These were NOT given to us in our package when we crossed the border.

How and where do I get these forms so we can get her social security card?

Thanks in advance

I Am Mello

Edited September 21, 2009 by I Am Mello

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

moving to:

Working & Traveling prior to getting a Green Card

If you do not enter on an immigrant visa then you will have to file for Adjustment of Status to become a Permanent Resident. During this time, you will not typically be able to work or leave the US without jeopardizing your immigration status unless you have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or an Advance Parole (AP) from the USCIS. This section also covers getting a Social Security Number (SSN) and is for general discussion on all these topics.

[I Am Mello 0]

Thanks for the reply .... But....

How and where do I get these forms so we can get her social security card?

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Step-by-Step Guide to getting a Social Security Number (SSN)

[I'm Gone 60]

I assume the child has K-2 status, so the kid needs an EAD card (I-766) to be assigned an SSN. Once the AOS has been approved and the kid has been issued an I-551 stamp or card you also use that to apply.

Things have changed since my wife applied for AOS, but I think now you apply for the AOS and EAD card with one fee, so you might as well get the kid an EAD card if that is the case.

If you have to pay the EAD card filing fee separately, unless the kid will be making sweaters for Wal*Mart, I would wait until the AOS is approved and if a number is needed for taxes, apply with the IRS for an ITIN

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My wife went to the Social Security office to apply for her SS# today.

They allowed her to apply but NOT her 10 year old daughter. Her daughter was brought here with her mother under the

K-1 at the same time and point of entry. The SS Office says we need an "I-688B" or an "I-766" for her daughter. These were NOT given to us in our package when we crossed the border.

How and where do I get these forms so we can get her social security card?

Thanks in advance

I Am Mello

Her daughter is a K-2 and is not eligible for a SSN until she has a green card or EAD (I-766) but you do not need an EAD for a 10 year old. And no they do not give you these at the border. You must file a separate AOS for the daughter. If filed with the mother's the fee is $600 and includes the AP amd EAD if you want it. Just file for her AOS and when she gets the green card, go back for the SSN.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks for the reply .... But....

How and where do I get these forms so we can get her social security card?

whoa. Slow down big fella. You aren't getting that SS card anytime soon. The AOS forms are available here at this site. You need the I485 for each person, the I-765 for each person (IF you want the daughter to have work authorization, probably not needed) and the I-131 form for each person if you want the AP (travel document), optional. There is ONE fee for all forms for each person. $1010 for your fiancee (wife, you need to be married before you file these things) and $600 for the child IF the child files at the same time as the mother. If not filed at the same time, the child's fee is also $1010. Go to the guides and follow the guides for Adjustment of Status (AOS)

After you are married, file the AOS for each person (you can put them in one envelope). When the child gets the EAD or green card (3-6 months) then you can get her an SSN. Until then for any papers requiring an SSN for her (insurance etc.) you can simply enter "pending" OR if you go back to SS they will give you an aofficial letter to explain the situation which you can copy and attach to whatever other documents you need, including your tax return. The child can function perfectly well without the SSN until that time with a little adjustment. We wnet through it with our boys, age 14 and 18 now and it was no problem. They got off to shcool, got insured, even got a driver's lisence without the SSN.

For tax purposes you can claim the child and enter "pending" for the SSN. No rproblem, BUT you will NOT be able to file electronically. You will have to wite on apaper with a pen (oh horror!) and put it in an envelope with one of those old fashioned stamp thingys and mail it in one of those big blue boxes if you can find one anywhere.

Good luck

[I'm Gone 60]

The AOS forms are available here at this site. You need the I485 for each person, the I-765 for each person (IF you want the daughter to have work authorization, probably not needed) and the I-131 form for each person if you want the AP (travel document), optional. There is ONE fee for all forms for each person. $1010 for your fiancee (wife, you need to be married before you file these things) and $600 for the child

Seems to me if it's included in the filing fee that he has to pay regardless and he wants the kid to be assigned an SSN, it would be rather foolish to not apply for one.

[I'm Gone 60]

Step-by-Step Guide to getting a Social Security Number (SSN)

Well that guide is wrong for a K-2/3/4

For K2, K3, K4 Visa Holders ::

As a holder of a K2, K3 or K4 visa you must first have an EAD from the USCIS. You will be required to

show this to the SSA agency to be eligible to receive a SSN.

To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring:

1. The SS-5 form you downloaded and filled out (they have some at the office if you forget).

2. Passport (with the K-2, K-3, or K-4 Visa in it)

3. your valid I-94

4. another form of valid ID (as defined in the SS-5 instructions)

5. A valid EAD

They all need an EAD card, so that is your identity and work authorization document. So all that is needed is proof age, which the preferred document is the birth certificate, but you can use the passport if the birth certificate is not available. If a parent signs the application for a child he or she needs an identity document ( assume K-1 mother will sign application, so she needs to provide unexpired I-94 and passport), but a child of any age can sign his or her own application.

So no I-94, visa or other ID is needed. If they apply at the office they don't even need the SS-5. With the child being age ten, no interview is needed, so an SS-5 could be mailed or dropped off by a third party if the child signs it and provides the required documentation.