What is Enumeration at Birth and how does it work?

Question

Accepted Answer

The Enumeration at Birth (EAB) program eliminates the need for a parent to gather the necessary documents, complete an Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5), and take or mail original documents to a local Social Security office for processing.

New parents at a hospital, birthing center, or using a licensed midwife can request a Social Security number (SSN) during the birth registration process. Through EAB, the bureaus of vital statistics electronically send birth registration information to us, and we assign an SSN, issue a card, and automatically update our records with proof of birth.

Currently, the national average processing time for EAB cases is 2 weeks. Parents may expect to wait up to an additional 2 weeks to receive the SSN card in the mail.

Read our publication Social Security Numbers for Children for more information.

NOTE: In celebration of the 250^th anniversary of American independence, Social Security will issue a commemorative card featuring the official Freedom 250 logo in black ink for children born in the United States between July 2 and December 31, 2026. These limited-edition cards are identical in function to standard Social Security cards and will be issued exclusively through the Enumeration at Birth (EAB) program during the qualifying period. EAB cards issued outside the July 2 – December 31, 2026, timeframe and all replacement and duplicate cards will not carry the commemorative designation regardless of the cardholder's birth date.