EAB allows parents to complete applications for SSNs for their newborns as part of
the hospital birth registration process:
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Hospitals collect the data necessary for enumeration and send it to their State vital
records agencies (in some jurisdictions, through county or local vital records agencies),
which then transmit the information to SSA.
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All parents applying for an SSN as part of the birth registration process receive
Form SSA-2853 (Message from Social Security), which serves as a receipt for the SSN
application via EAB.
NOTE: EAB is voluntary for parents and hospitals.
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State vital records agencies transmit EAB records to SSA for enumeration of infants
born within the past 12 months.
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EAB requests are electronically transmitted to SSA’s National Computer Center through
electronic interfaces with the newborn’s State vital records agency. SSA uses the
information from the State to enumerate the infants and issue SSN cards through an
automated process.
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EAB only issues original SSN cards – it does not issue replacement cards. However,
if an SSN is already assigned, the EAB record will post to the Numident without issuing
an SSN card.
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An SSN is assigned with “FMC: 6” designation on the INTERNAL line of the Numident
and BCN field containing the State birth certificate (BC) number.
EAB is a convenient service option for parents who need an SSN for their child. It
saves the parent time gathering the necessary proofs, completing an SS-5 application,
and visiting or mailing original documents to an SSA field office (FO) for processing.