Applying for a Social Security Number for your Child

In order to include your child on your tax return and to receive the Child Tax Credit, each of your children must have a Social Security Number. A Social Security number is very similar to the Mispar Zahut (I.D. numbers) that we have in Israel.

The easiest way to apply for a Social Security number for you child who was born overseas is to wait until you visit the United States and then visit on of the Agency’s office. If this is not a viable option, you can mail all of the necessary documentation to the agency’s office. Please visit the Social Security Administration’s website for mailing locations. (Note: If you child is 12 years or older, the child must appear in person at a Social Security Administration office to apply.)

Your application for a social security number must include the following items:

1. Completed Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5) Download Form Here
2. Original documents proving your child’s:
   • Proof of U.S. citizenship – These include a
   • Age; and
   • Identity.
3. Original documents proving your identity.

Proof of U.S. citizenship – The Social Security Administration accepts to following documents as proof of citizenship: U.S. birth certificate, U.S. consular report of birth, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship. If your child was born outside of the United States, you will most likely need to receive a U.S. consular report or birth. To learn how to receive a consular report of birth click here.

Proof of Age – the Social security agency usually prefers to see a birth certificate as proof of age but other documentation such as U.S. consular report of birth or a U.S. Passport are also sufficient.

Proof of Child’s Identity – acceptable forms of identification must include the child’s name, identifying information and preferably a recent photo. The document must also be current and not expired. The Social Security Agency will usually accept non-photo identifcation if it includes enough information to properly identify the child (for example, name, birth date, parents’ names, etc.). While they prefer a U.S. Passport, the following forms of I.D. are also acceptable (However, all documents must be in English):

• Adoption decree;
• Doctor, clinic or hospital record;
• Religious record (e.g., baptismal record);
• Daycare center or school record; or
• School identification card.

Proof of Parents’ Identity – Typically, the Social Security Agency would like to see a valid U.S. Drivers License, State Issued I.D. Card or U.S. Passport. However, they will usually also accept Employee ID card; School ID card; Marriage document; Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); U.S. military ID card; Adoption decree; or Life insurance policy. However, please note, All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. They will not accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. In addition, the agency may use one document to serve more than one purpose (i.e. A passport can prove both identity and age). However, they will insist on viewing at least two documents.

For more information about applying for a Social Security number for you child, visit the Social Security Administration’s website.

U.S. Consular Report of Birth

Although it is important to request a report of birth abroad as soon as possible after the baby’s birth, it is possible to do so until the child is 18 years old. All requests for a Consular Report of Birth must be made in person at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.

In order to process the request, the Embassy must first determine that the child is in fact eligible for American citizenship.

• A child is born outside of the United States to two U.S. citizen parents, he/she is eligible for U.S. citizenship provided that at least one of the parents has resided in the United States for any period of time.
• A child born outside of the United States to one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent is eligible for U.S. citizenship provided the citizen parent was physically present in the U.S. a required period of time. If the child was born on or after November 14, 1986, the parent must have physically resided in America for at least five years, two years must have been after the parent was fourteen year old
• A child born outside of the United States to an unmarried, U.S. citizen mother is eligible for U.S. citizenship if the mother was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child's birth, and if the mother had ever been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a continuous period of one year.
• A child born outside of the United States to an unmarried U.S. citizen father may acquire U.S. citizenship provided:
  1. a blood relationship between the applicant and the father can be clearly and convincinglyestablished;
  2. the father was a citizen of the United States at the time of the birth;
  3. the father (unless deceased) had agreed in writing to provide financial support for the child until he/she reaches the age of 18 years, and
  4. while the child is under 18 years old—
     • applicant is legitimated under the law of their residence or domicile,
     • father acknowledges paternity of the person in writing under oath, or
     • the paternity of the applicant is established by a court ruling.

If you are clearly able to provide acceptable proof that your child is entitled to U.S. citizenship based on one of the above scenarios, you must bring the following items to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv:

1. The child that you plan to register.
2. An original copy of the child’s Israeli Birth Certificate. It is possible to obtain this document in both Hebrew and English rather than only in Hebrew. Please bring a two-language birth certificate.
3. Original copy of parents' marriage certificate
4. Proof of the termination of any previous marriages (death or divorce certificates)
5. Parents' passports (both U.S. and Israeli, as applicable).
6. Proof of the American citizen parent's physical presence in U.S. OR an Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad certificate of and older child born to the same parents.
7. DS-2029 Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America. Download form here.
8. Completed Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence. Download from here
9. $65.00 in cash or shekel equivalent
10. According to the new policy, you must provide a self-addressed stamped envelope with at least NIS 10 (and more, if you also plan to request a first-time passport). Alternately, the Embassy will provide envelopes for return by private courier for 45 NIS, to be paid upon delivery. It is no longer possible to return to the Embassy to pick up your documents. If you wish to provide your own envelope, please make sure it is at least 8.5 inches x 11 inches to accomodate the Report of Birth without folding it.

Also, please note that New Regulations require that minors must be present at the embassy when applying for a first passport, renewal passport, or consular report of birth abroad (registration).

If you would like more information or you are unable to provide acceptable evidence that you child is eligible for U.S. citizenship, please visit the U.S. Embassy’s website for more information.

Disclaimer: The information on or made available through www.UnitedTaxAdvisors.com is not intended to be legal, accounting, tax, investment or other professional advice. Before making any decision or taking any action that might affect your personal finances or business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor who understands your particular factual situation.