OBGYN, Pregnancy and Childbirth Care
Birth Certificate Information
Now that you've welcomed your precious bundle into this world, it's time for feeding, changing, bonding and ... paperwork.
In addition to naming your baby, you will need to establish his or her legal identity by obtaining a birth certificate and Social Security number.
Obtaining your child's birth certificate.
When you have a baby at Sharp, we will give you the necessary paperwork to register your child's birth and obtain a birth certificate. By law, you must register the birth of your baby within 10 days of the birth.
Once your baby's birth is registered, you can request a certified copy and/or informational copy of your baby's birth certificate from the Office of Vital Records and Statistics, which provides instructions on how to request a birth certificate in person or by mail. Birth certificates are not issued by our hospitals.
Requesting your child's Social Security number.
You can obtain a Social Security number for your baby by contacting your local Social Security office. To find a Social Security office near you, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit the Social Security Administration online.
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For births at Sharp Grossmont Hospital
Parents who give birth at Sharp Grossmont may apply for Social Security cards through our hospital's birth certificate office. You must have a valid U.S. address (P.O. boxes are acceptable), and your baby's weight must be more than 2.2 pounds. For surrogate births and adoption, which require special paperwork, please contact your local Social Security office to obtain cards.
Establishing legal fatherhood.
When the parents of a newborn are unmarried, paternity is not automatically established — the father doesn't have the legal rights of a parent and will not be added to the birth certificate. Through the Paternity Opportunity Program, you can form a legal link from father to child. This free program allows you to establish paternity voluntarily, without going to court.
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