To avoid problems and protect children, it is recommended that adoptive parents request a new Social Security number upon finalization.

Most children adopted from foster care have Social Security numbers. Unfortunately, a child who keeps his or her old number can be tracked by anyone who knows the number, and may be declared as a dependent on birth parents’ taxes—setting up adoptive parents, who also claim the child, for possible tax fraud charges.

To avoid problems and protect children from unwanted contact with past abusers, parents should request new social security numbers upon finalization. The new number should reflect the child’s new name and family connection, and there should be nothing in the child’s Social Security record tied to the original name and number.

To request a new Social Security number for your adopted child, visit your local Social Security office and complete Form SS-5 (application for a Social Security Card). The child’s adoption record, or new birth certificate, can serve as identification. You can also obtain Form SS-5 by calling 800-772-1213 or visiting www.ssa.gov/ssnumber. END

Reprinted from the Spring 2004 issue of Adoptalk, a publication of the North American Council on Adoptable Children (www.nacac.org ; 651-644-3036).