SSN for the kids not going to come automatically?

[Ms Hogan 295]

When we did our applications I checked off the box for each of us requesting a SSN.

HOWEVER, looking at the paperwork that came with our visas it says:

If you requested a Social Security number card as part of your visa application and are age 18 or older whenyou arrive in the United States, the information needed to issue you a card will be shared with the Social Security Administration ... blah blah blah

Then it goes on to say:

If you did not request a Social Security number card as part of your visa application or are under age 18 when you arrive in the United States, you must apply for a card at a Social Security office.

It goes on from there but I'm a little disappointed that I have to haul the kids to a Social Security office. I was wondering if anyone knows WHY it is done differently for minors?

[hikergirl 277]

I am speculating but I think they are going by the Social Security Administrations rules on what you are supposed to need an SSN number for.

You need a Social Security number to work, collect Social Security benefits and receive some other government services.

Lawfully admitted noncitizens can get many benefits and services without a Social Security number. You do not need a number to get a driver’s license, register for school, obtain private health insurance, or to apply for school lunch programs or subsidized housing.

However, I know hubby was told that he could not add us to his work Health Insurance without our SSNs. But I think that would be why they don’t issue them to the children, as they shouldn’t be needing a job yet.

[Cathi 5,771]

My husband requested a SS number on his IV application and he still had to go to apply for one, it's a ####### shoot even when you request one, many times. My husband never received his so he had to go to the apply for one on person. Not sure why it's different for a minor, and not sure why many people who request one, never receive it. When you go bring the kids along with their passports with the visas and their birth certificate and they will receive it in a few weeks. Good luck.

[NikLR 13,227]

I don't think the SSN has quite caught up to the SIN in Canada. You don't automatically get one as a baby. When I was a kid my mom didn't take me to get one until I was 13. I had to go get one for my daughter last year to deal with a tax issue my ex was having. Apparently children in Alberta are now just issued them at birth and you also non longer sign the cards.

I bet its still used in the USA like it used to be used in Canada. One nice thing about making changes like that up here, we have less people so a widespread change happens easier and faster. Like chip cards.

Edited March 9, 2013 by NikiR

[Ms Hogan 295]

I don't think the SSN has quite caught up to the SIN in Canada. You don't automatically get one as a baby. When I was a kid my mom didn't take me to get one until I was 13. I had to go get one for my daughter last year to deal with a tax issue my ex was having. Apparently children in Alberta are now just issued them at birth and you also non longer sign the cards.

I bet its still used in the USA like it used to be used in Canada. One nice thing about making changes like that up here, we have less people so a widespread change happens easier and faster. Like chip cards.

I had to apply for SINs for my kids when they were born. They weren't issued automatically. I just did it because I wanted to open accounts for them to start saving money into RESPs.

I'm still not finding any info on whether or not they are going to receive them or not. I understand some people still don't get them automatically but I'm more specifically wondering about my kids' because we aren't moving full-time yet so they won't be down there with me on as many opportunities to go drive to a SSN office.

[The Mean Lady 604]

It makes no sense to me to not be automatically assigned other than I guess not wanting to give hospital administration more work.

As a child, I've had to use my SSN all of the time growing up.

Is it not required to enroll children in schools?

Because I know my SSN was my automatic password all through JR high and highschool especially.

Don't know how they'd know that unless we had to provide it.

I suppose woman still do home birth so then there would be no one to apply for it anyways.

And then I guess we have foreigners that accidentally give birth there.

So really, maybe making us apply for them was just easier.

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

I don't think the SSN has quite caught up to the SIN in Canada. You don't automatically get one as a baby. When I was a kid my mom didn't take me to get one until I was 13. I had to go get one for my daughter last year to deal with a tax issue my ex was having. Apparently children in Alberta are now just issued them at birth and you also non longer sign the cards.

I bet its still used in the USA like it used to be used in Canada. One nice thing about making changes like that up here, we have less people so a widespread change happens easier and faster. Like chip cards.

Children now get them at birth in America, I don't know anyone who hasn't. They shipped my daughter's right to the house without asking. Children don't need them to register for school, but basically do need them (they'd probably not know what to do if you didn't have one)...for health insurance, opening a bank account (something almost every baby in my town has), etc., etc.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Nola123

[The Mean Lady 604]

Children now get them at birth in America, I don't know anyone who hasn't. They shipped my daughter's right to the house without asking. Children don't need them to register for school, but basically do need them (they'd probably not know what to do if you didn't have one)...for health insurance, opening a bank account (something almost every baby in my town has), etc., etc.

Oh well there you go!

Perfect.

NOW what happens if you have a home birth?

Get it yerself?

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

Oh well there you go!

Perfect.

NOW what happens if you have a home birth?

Get it yerself?

I think when you register the birth you can ask for it?

[The Mean Lady 604]

I think when you register the birth you can ask for it?

I've never had kids.

I have no idea what it takes to have one.

I'd probably just have a kid and bring it home with me and that would be it.

Then find out I never did something I was supposed to and next thing you know people think I kidnapped some child.

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

I've never had kids.

I have no idea what it takes to have one.

I'd probably just have a kid and bring it home with me and that would be it.

Then find out I never did something I was supposed to and next thing you know people think I kidnapped some child.

When you have a baby at the hospital, a registrar comes around and gets all the information for the birth certificate and I think at that point you might be asked if you want the SS card? I can't remember, it was a bit of a whirlwind. They print it out and have you look over it and you take a home a confirmation of the birth registration.

When you have a baby at home or in the woods or something...each state has different rules on how to register the birth. Sometimes the midwife can do it and other times a doctor who sees the mother and child later can or sometimes the parents themselves can. Just depends on the state. There are ways to handle it, though.

/ramble off

Edited March 11, 2013 by Nola123

[The Mean Lady 604]

When you have a baby at the hospital, a registrar comes around and gets all the information for the birth certificate and I think at that point you might be asked if you want the SS card? I can't remember, it was a bit of a whirlwind. They print it out and have you look over it and you take a home a confirmation of the birth registration.

When you have a baby at home or in the woods or something...each state has different rules on how to register the birth. Sometimes the midwife can do it and other times a doctor who sees the mother and child later can or sometimes the parents themselves can. Just depends on the state. There are ways to handle it, though.

/ramble off

I've been struggling lately on what to name my non existent child.

It's a girl in my mind.

I'm leaning towards an alliteration.

I want my child to have a name that could be famous if that's a path they take in life.

My name was terrible. But it was the last name.

No fixing that.

If I was to become famous, a name change would be inevitable.

[Darnell 8,478]

MsHogan - assume for the moment, it doesn't come in automatically.

Wait 2 weeks past POE, go in to SSA office, show the STAMP in the passport (this stamp with the visa automagically turns into an I-551 document, a temp 1 year green card) and the kids should get their SSNs.

study the CR-1/IR-1 section at ssn http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

[Ms Hogan 295]

MsHogan - assume for the moment, it doesn't come in automatically.

Wait 2 weeks past POE, go in to SSA office, show the STAMP in the passport (this stamp with the visa automagically turns into an I-551 document, a temp 1 year green card) and the kids should get their SSNs.

study the CR-1/IR-1 section at ssn http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

Thanks, Darnell

That's what I was thinking, too. I would just go with the assumption that they aren't going to come and be proactive instead.

[Ms Hogan 295]

It makes no sense to me to not be automatically assigned other than I guess not wanting to give hospital administration more work.

As a child, I've had to use my SSN all of the time growing up.

Is it not required to enroll children in schools?

Because I know my SSN was my automatic password all through JR high and highschool especially.

Don't know how they'd know that unless we had to provide it.

I suppose woman still do home birth so then there would be no one to apply for it anyways.

And then I guess we have foreigners that accidentally give birth there.

So really, maybe making us apply for them was just easier.

In Canada it is handled differently so that's what we were talking about. I don't know about other provinces but in Ontario you don't need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to register a child for school. But I do know they need their SSN to register in the U.S. That is one of the reasons I'm trying to be very proactive about getting their SSN once we cross the border.