go to Allina Hospitals & Clinics home Careers | Contact Us | En Español | Employee Sign-in

Advanced Search

You are here: Conditions & Treatments > Pregnancy Condition Center > Your Hospital Stay
 
 

Your baby's birth certificate and Social Security number

Birth certificate

After your baby is born, the hospital staff will complete the certificate and send it to your state's department of health. The procedures for getting a copy of your baby's birth certificate depend on the county in which your baby is born.

Ask your birth center staff how you can get a copy of the birth certificate. Some hospitals will give new parents a souvenir certificate, but it is not an official birth certificate.

Birth certificate worksheet

Social Security number

On the hospital birth certificate questionnaire, there may be a question asking if you want to apply for a Social Security number for your baby.

  • Any child older than 1 year who is listed as a dependent on a tax return is required by law to have a Social Security number.
  • To open a bank account, buy savings bonds, or apply for government services for your baby, you'll need a Social Security number.

Though you won't legally need a number until a year after your baby's birth, applying for a number while still in the hospital may be the easiest way for you to do so.

Application for a Social Security card (from the Social Security Administration)

Related Links

 

Source: Allina Patient Education, Beginnings: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond, fourth edition, ISBN 1-931876-14-2

First published: 10/04/2002
Last updated: 06/19/2003

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts

 

 

back to top Back to Top

This site is presented for information only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.
Allina®, the Allina logo, and Medformation® are registered trademarks of Allina Health System.
Presentation and Design ©2008 Allina Health System. All Rights Reserved.