The Social Security Administration only accept the following originals documents as proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. The primary documents accepted are:
  • U.S. passport only;
  • State-issued non-driver identification card with a certified copy of Birth Certificate; or
  • U.S. driver's license with a certified copy of Birth Certificate.
If you cannot send or don't have one of this document for your child, you can send one of the following secondary documents below along with your child original certified copy of Birth Certificate.

Any documents submitted, including the following, must be current (not expired) and show your child name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph:
    • U.S. military dependent identification card
    • Certificate of Naturalization
    • Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
    • U.S. Indian Tribal Card
    • Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or hospital), immunization record, or letter providing extract data from the medical record showing, the applicant’s name and the applicant’s DOB or age (for certification by custodian, see GN 00301.030A.3. and for definition of extract, see RM 10210.420D.2 of this section)
  • NOTE: The issue date of the immunization record is either the date parents received the document or the date of child’s first recorded shot. Ensure that the document is less than four years old (see RM 10210.405C.5.).We do not accept immunization records from U.S. citizens who are over age 5. If the issue date is four years old or more, check the date of the child’s last recorded shot. If date of last recorded shot is less than four years from the current date, use that date as the issue date and annotate in SSNAP remarks. If the date of the child’s last shot was four years or longer, you must request another document.
    • School identity card showing, the applicant’s name, DoB and a photograph of the applicant. 
    • Certified childcare facility or other preschool or school record (must be for the current or prior year) showing the child’s age or DOB or parent(s)’ name(s). See RM 10210.410B.
    • Religious record (cradle roll, naming certificate, bris certificate, or baptismal record showing in addition to the child’s name, the child’s age or DOB, or parent(s)’ name(s))
    • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) NOTE : The CRBA is only acceptable for applications filed in foreign offices as a proof of identity document for U.S. Citizens 5 years of age and under. The CRBA is not to be used as an identity document for enumeration purposes inside the United States.

    • Final adoption decree issued by the court where the recent adoption occurred, showing the child’s name and the child’s date of birth (DOB) or the names of the adopting parent(s). If the adoption took place more than a year previously, a more recent identity document should be available (for example, medical record). For information on availability of documents based on a child’s age, see RM 10210.405C.5.



    Make sure to always send the ORIGINAL document(s) addressed to the Social Security Administration . The SSA will return the provided documents along with your new Social Security Card at your home address (make sure to always use a valid address).