For our foster-adopt parents - a question

[Spryte]

I may delete parts of this, so please don't quote me.  :)

 

Quick question re: social security numbers.

 

When one adopts via foster care, is it common for the child's social security number to remain the same?  What if there are questions about the biofamily's possible unethical use of the social security number?  

 

Recent foster-adopt scenario: DSS is telling the new adoptive family that the social security number stays the same and follows the child.  Family is concerned about biofamily's financial situation, and their history of unethical behavior with regard to finances, among other things.  Does family just keep checking the child's credit report obsessively, or can they have the social security number changed once everything is final, without DSS's approval?

 

 

 

 

[Kathryn]

I found this: http://forums.adoption.com/foster-parent-support/394405-changing-social-security-numbers-after-adoption.html

[KrissiK]

No, no, no. Change the social as soon as you get the new birth certificate. That child's social security number has been in who knows how many hands. Change it! We've changed it for all our children.

[Spryte]

Thanks, Kathryn and KrissK.  My thought was they should change it immediately, too.  But the SW keeps saying not to change it, that it needs to follow the child.  But I'm thinking this might be because of the new stricter requirements for changing SSNs after Homeland Security, maybe?  

 

Anyone with recent experience doing this?  

[homefront]

Friends that did this recently had the judge add it to court paper work at the time of adoption.  This sped up the process as government agency seem to move faster with a court order.  12 to 18 weeks seem to be the going time table.  This is a nightmare if the childs SSN has already been compromised but it can and should be done.  The down side for the child is that their SSN is not issued in their birth year causing issues for some safety systems in place.  The child will likely have to get SS to verify their number for opening bank accounts.  Some states use these check systems for drivers licences so the child will likely have an extra hoop to jump.    

 

 Many SW aren't up on rights and options of adoptive parents.  The process to meet the new requirements can cost and be a hassle.  

[Tap]

Yep, change it.  An like another poster said, it may cause issues later but are easily resolved and are FAR less hassle than dealing with it being compromised from the start.

[Ottakee]

We changed the ones for our adopted ones.

[Galatea]

Definitely get it changed.

 

My social security number was changed at my adoption at 14.  I've never run into a single problem from having a new SSN.  The only effect it has ever had on me is that I was the very last person is basic training to throw my live grenades because they tracked us by SSN. :)