Hospital notify SSA of birth

March 9, 2006 5:39 AM

Are hospitals required to notify the Social Security Administration of new births? Do they do it, even if not required?

I recently came across a copy of a letter sent by a hospital to the SSA, identifying a baby's name and date of birth, and names and SSNs of both parents. I don't have to ask why this would be done. I just wonder if this is required, or customary. Replies from people familiar with hospital practice preferred.

posted by yclipse to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

I don't know the technicalities, but at the hospital I worked at, they sent this little old lady volunteer around with pamphlets instructing women to get their SSN for their newborns before they left the hospital because there was 'less paperwork.' I think the tax changes in the past...half-dozen? dozen? years makes it required that claimed dependents have an SSN, and I think that is part of the speech/pamphlet.
posted by cobaltnine at 6:06 AM on March 9, 2006

Hospitals often offer it as a free service to new parents.

Uncle Sam requires an SSN now, so hospitals will often do the paperwork for you. It's a simple move to relieve the parents of a bit of bothersome paperwork. They're not spying on you and you may simply request to do it yourself.

Experience: New parent + the explanation our hospital gave us.
posted by unixrat at 6:18 AM on March 9, 2006

I'm expecting my first baby this year. What do I need to do to get a Social Security number for my baby? (SSA FAQ)
Sounds customary.
posted by badger_flammable at 6:44 AM on March 9, 2006

Uncle Sam requires an SSN now

Only if you plan on claiming the child as a dependent for income tax purposes. Otherwise, there is no requirement that any U.S. citizen obtain a Social Security number.

The primary consequences of not having an SSN are:

1. Parents can't get the tax deduction.

2. Lack of credit/eligibility for Social Security benefits later in life. Without a number, they can't track your account.

3. Difficulty establishing and getting credit.


(Keep in mind, however, that you are still required to report all income to the IRS, and the IRS primarily uses SSN for that purpose - evil bastards that they are. They apparently believe that you are required to have a number although I've never seen any legal authority for that proposition. They can, however, prosecute you for failing to report income.

Also, unles the parents have consented to the hospital's release of this information, I'd have concerns under applicable medical information privacy laws.

)
posted by mikewas at 8:40 AM on March 9, 2006

anecdotal, state of maryland: our hospital just gave us a birth certificate. it was up to us to obtain a SSN.
posted by poppo at 8:55 AM on March 9, 2006

Right, right, I should have clarified that an SSN is required unless you plan your child to live off, way off the grid.
posted by unixrat at 9:33 AM on March 9, 2006

California. My sister had a baby in December. About a month later, she received said baby's SS card in the mail. She did nothing (that she recalls) to make this happen.
That doesn't answer the question, but I thought it was interesting, as I didn't get a SS# til I was like 13.
posted by clh at 11:35 AM on March 9, 2006

We had a child outside of a hospital (but were in one for part of the time--it's complicated), and had to apply for the card ourselves. It was interesting, actually, because according to them the procedure/accepted documentation was going to change in the near future, but they couldn't tell me how.

We told them that it was being handled already, and they didn't do anything.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 12:22 PM on March 9, 2006