How to apply for a Social Security number

(SSN) for an infant at the US Embassy in the

Philippines
In my previous post, I wrote about our successful application for a Consular
Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and US passport at the US Embassy in
Manila for our infant child. With CRBA and passport in hand, my husband and
I then applied for our child’s Social Security number (SSN).

The process was quick and easy, because unlike in some other countries, the
US Embassy in the Philippines has a Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) onsite that
provides Social Security services. Personal appearance is also not required
for children under 12 years old.

This guide is based on our infant child’s application; additional documents and
personal appearance are required for children who are 12 years of age or
older.
1. Prepare the requirements

Present the original documents. There is no need to photocopy them; the FBU
personnel will make the copies themselves.

 Child’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

 Child’s unexpired US passport
 Unexpired passport of the parent who will sign the application
 Application for a Social Security Card. There are two forms available; fill up
and sign only one. Both are fillable PDF files, so type in your answers before
printing your preferred form on US Letter (8.5″ x 11″) paper. There is no need
to print out the first few pages of instructions; just the last page (the actual
form) will do.
o Form SS-5 (for US address) – card will be delivered to US address within two
weeks
o Form SS-5-FS (for non-US address) – card will be delivered to Philippine
address within five months

2. Go to the embassy
 The FBU is open on weekdays (except during US and Philippine holidays)
from 8 am to 3 pm. There is no need for an appointment. A few tips:

 Arrive before 1 pm. The FBU staff can only access the system until 1 pm. If
you arrive well before that, they can process your application immediately and
have the SSN ready the next business day. If you arrive after 1 pm, they will
still accept your application, but will process it the next business day.
 Leave electronic devices behind. Cellphones and the like are not allowed
inside the embassy.

3. Wait for the card to arrive

A week after we submitted our application, the Social Security card arrived in
the mail in the US. If you choose to have it delivered to the Philippines, don’t
fret — although you may have to wait for up to five months for the physical
card, the actual number will be available within two business days.

If you want to know the SSN right away, provide the FBU staff with your local
mobile number. They cannot divulge it over the phone for privacy and security
reasons, but they will call to inform you if the SSN is already available. The
parent who signed the application form can simply present his/her valid
passport and the child’s valid US passport to the FBU to get the SSN.