The Shadow
By John Watson
District Manager
General Question
Question: We adopted a baby girl overseas and brought her home with us to the United States. We need to get a Social Security number for her. What do we do?
Answer: In general, to apply for a Social Security number, you must complete an application for a Social Security card (Form SS-5) for your child, which you can find online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
You must also show documents proving your child’s U.S. citizenship or immigration status, adoption, age and identity. You must also show documentation proving your identity and provide Social Security with evidence that establishes your relationship to the child if the name is not listed as the parent on the child’s evidence of age.
The adoption decree or the U.S. amended birth certificate will suffice.
You can take your application and original documents to your local Social Security office, or you can mail them to us. All documents must either be originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.
We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
If you do not have proof of your child’s citizenship, we can assign a number based on documentation issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security upon the child’s arrival in the U.S.
When you do receive documentation of your child’s citizenship, you can bring it to us and we will update your child’s record. We will mail your child’s number and card as soon as we have verified your documents with the issuing offices.
Retirement Question
Question: How long do I need to work to become eligible for retirement benefits?
Answer: Everyone born in 1929 or later needs 40 Social Security credits to be eligible for retirement benefits.
You can earn up to four credits per year, so you will need at least 10 years to become eligible for retirement benefits.
During your working years, earnings covered by Social Security are posted to your Social Security record. You earn credits based on those earnings.
If you become disabled or die before age 62, the number of credits needed depends on your age at the time you die or become disabled. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.
