Recently many new parents have found that Social Security numbers have been assigned to their newborn children over their objection and against their will. It has been discovered that the Social Security Administration has implemented a program referred to as "Enumeration at Birth" and has in place a specific procedure for parental objections. Note that this is a multi-step procedure and that at each step the bureacracy will attempt to talk the parent into keeping the assigned SSN. However, if the parent is persistent, the procedure exists for expunging the record.
The following was obtained in 1992 from the SSA policy manual. (Images of the manual pages may be found at the bottom of this page.)
THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER POLICY AND GENERAL PROCEDURES
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TN 16 6-90 RM 00905.100B.
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00205.100 PARENT OBJECTS TO ASSIGNMENT OF SSN TO CHILD
UNDER THE ENUMERATION AT BIRTH PROGRAM
A. POLICY SSA does not change, void or cancel SSNs. In special
situations, SSA will delete the applicant information
from the SSN record.
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B. PROCEDURE A parent may object when a child is assigned an SSN.
If a child is issued an SSN card via the Enumeration at
Birth program (the online NUMIDENT shows "FMC:6" for
Enumeration at Birth items) and the mother states she
answered "no" to the enumeration question when providing
birth information for the newborn, assume that the State
inadvertantly keyed "yes", and follow these steps:
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STEP ACTION
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1 Explain that the child will need an SSN, by at least
age 2, if he/she will be listed as a dependent on an
income tax return.
* If the parent accepts this explanation and will
keep the SSN card, stop.
* If this is not acceptable, go to step 2.
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2 Explain that on SSA's records, the account will remain
dormant, unless earnings are posted on the record.
* If the parent accepts this explanation and will
keep the card, stop.
* If the parent accepts the explanation but does
want the SSN card, take the card and destroy the
card (RM 00201.060). Explain that when an
application is later made for an SSN card the
same number will be assigned.
* If the parent inists that we delete the SSN
record, explain that the deletion action may
take several months. (Go to step 3.)
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3 * Document the parent's objection and advise the
parent that the case must be sent to central
office (CO) for review.
* Explain to the parent that if we delete the
applicant information from the SSN record, a
subsequent SSN request (likely before the child
is age 2) will result in a different SSN. In
addition, if and when the parent files for an
SSN for the child in the future, he/she should
enter "no" in item 10 on the SS-5.
* Forward all material pertinent to the situation
(including the FO observation and recommendation)
to CO at:
Social Security Administration
ORSI, DE, E&R
3-E-26 Operations Building
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
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4 Request review of the case and action concerning the
parent's request for deletion of the data from the
SSN record. Send a copy of the entire file to the
appropriate regional office so that they can discuss
ongoing problems with the involved State.
[END]