“Why am I being told that my child isn’t a U.S. citizen based on their Social Security Number?”  This is a question the PAS department is hearing quite a bit these days. The reason: Social Security Numbers (SSN) can be issued as either a permanent resident/resident alien or a U.S. citizen.  Unfortunately, you can’t tell from the card itself or the number. In fact, we didn’t even realize this was happening until recently.

 Employers are now conducting background checks that include verifying a SSN, as well as most DMV offices, college admissions offices, even Continue reading Citizenship and Your Child’s Social Security Number

If you’ve encountered difficulties regarding your child’s Social Security Number (SSN) in recent months, you aren’t alone.  Over 20% of the calls Holt receives weekly regarding citizenship are prompted by Social Security Administration issues; either obtaining a new number for a recently adopted child, or having an existing number show up as a resident alien with an expired visa.  These issues can delay filing for taxes, applying for a driver’s license, even enrolling in college. Continue reading Your Child’s Social Security Number

Citizenship and Your Adopted Child

Your child is home, you’ve settled in, your adoption is final, so the paperwork is done, right?  Not necessarily; if you haven’t obtained a Certificate of Citizenship for your child, your paperwork may not be over.  You are probably already aware that following the implementation of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, all foreign-born children adopted by US Citizen parents gain citizenship automatically, either through a Continue reading “I Thought I Was Done with Paper Work?”