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The short answer
SSA says the simplest way to get a Social Security number for a US-born baby is to say yes when the hospital asks while you complete the birth certificate paperwork; you will be asked for both parents' SSNs, but you can still apply without them, and the number and card are mailed once the details are verified. If you missed it, start online and finish at a Social Security office with original proof of the child's citizenship, age and identity and your own ID. It is free.
For Nigerian parents, the first weeks with a new baby come with a stack of forms in two countries: the US birth certificate, the Nigerian birth registration, passports and the Social Security number. The SSN is the one that opens the most doors in the US, from tax credits to a bank account. This guide follows the Social Security Administration's own guidance, Publication 05-10023 (April 2026).
Route 1: at the hospital (enumeration at birth)
When you fill in the birth certificate paperwork, the hospital asks whether you want an SSN for your baby. Say yes. You will be asked for both parents' Social Security numbers. SSA says you can still apply if you do not know one or both parents' numbers, which matters for families where a parent has no SSN.
- There is no separate SSA visit.
- You do not need to gather separate documents for SSA at this stage.
- SSA mails the number and card once it has all the child's information and has verified the documents.
SSA does not give a fixed time for cards issued this way. Its general page says cards arrive by post five to ten business days after an application is approved, but the birth registration step comes first.
Route 2: if you did not apply at the hospital
Start the online Social Security Number and Card application at ssa.gov/number-card, then finish at a local Social Security office or card centre. If you cannot apply online, use paper Form SS-5. Either way, SSA needs original documents, or copies certified by the agency that issued them, showing:
| What SSA needs | Examples SSA gives |
|---|---|
| Child's US citizenship | US birth certificate or valid US passport |
| Child's age | Usually the birth certificate; alternatives include a religious record made before age 5 or a US hospital birth record |
| Child's identity | Unexpired US passport preferred; others include a state ID, adoption decree or certified school record |
| Your identity and relationship | For US citizens: driving licence, state ID or US passport |
SSA does not accept photocopies or notarised copies, and you must provide at least two separate documents. Because a newborn has no ID of their own, many parents first get the child's US passport, which can prove both citizenship and identity. Parents who are not US citizens should check what SSA accepts as their own ID; a Nigerian passport with your US immigration documents is the usual starting point.
Rules to know
- Cost
- Free: SSA says there is no charge for issuing an SSN and card
- Age 12 and over
- Anyone 12 or older applying for an original SSN must attend an in-person interview, even if a parent signs
- Name
- Use the name exactly as on the birth certificate; a later change means updating SSA records
- Scams
- SSA does not charge for a number; ignore services offering to get one for a fee
Why it matters early
- Child Tax Credit. The IRS says the child needs a work-valid SSN issued before your return's due date to claim the credit (up to $2,200 per child). Without it, you may be limited to the $500 credit for other dependants, which accepts an SSN, ITIN or ATIN. See the Child Tax Credit for Nigerian immigrant families.
- Bank and savings accounts. Banks and 529 plans ask for the child's SSN; see opening a bank account for a US-born child.
- Health cover. Medicaid, CHIP and employer plans commonly ask for it when you add the baby.
Common problems
- The card has not arrived. Check that the address on the hospital forms was correct and complete. If weeks have passed, contact SSA or visit an office with the child's birth certificate.
- A name is misspelt. Correct the birth certificate with the state first if the error is there, then update SSA with the corrected document.
- You moved before the card came. Mail is not always forwarded reliably; contact SSA to confirm where it was sent.
- You lose the card. The number does not change. Keep the number in a safe record and request a replacement card through SSA if needed.
Nigerian documents for the same child
The SSN is separate from the Nigerian side. A child born in the US to Nigerian parents may also need Nigerian birth registration and a Nigerian passport for travel home; see registering a US-born child's birth with Nigeria and a Nigerian passport for a child born abroad.
Where Pryme fits
Once the baby has an SSN and a US account, relatives at home often want to send gifts. A Pryme account can receive naira and hold dollars, and Swap shows the rate and fee before you convert.
Questions people ask
How do I get an SSN for my newborn?
Say yes when the hospital asks during the birth certificate paperwork. SSA mails the number and card once details are verified. It is free.
Can my baby get an SSN if I do not have one?
Yes. SSA says you will be asked for both parents' SSNs but can still apply without them.
What if I did not apply for my baby's SSN at the hospital?
Start online at ssa.gov/number-card and finish at a Social Security office, or use Form SS-5, with original documents proving the child's citizenship, age and identity and your own identity.
How long does it take to get a baby's Social Security card?
SSA gives no fixed time for hospital applications; the card is mailed after verification. Its general page says five to ten business days after approval.
Sources
- SSA, Social Security numbers for children (Publication 05-10023, April 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- SSA, Request a Social Security number for the first time · accessed Oct 2026
- IRS, Child Tax Credit · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.