Good morning,
I am a divorce and child custody lawyer. I have a question that all of my clients ask me that I don’t have the answer to:
“Why does ORS and/or the court need my child’s Social Security Number in a child support case? I can see why they would need the Social Security Numbers for both parents, but why for the kids?”
It’s a good question. Do you know the answer why (other than “it’s in the rules”), and if you don’t, can you point me in the direction of who knows the answer?
We are unable to answer this question on behalf of the courts, but can provide you some of the reasons why ORS needs a child’s Social Security Number.
When ORS establishes legal paternity for a child, we are required to report the paternity establishment to vital records, and this process requires the child’s Social Security Number to be sent with the child’s other information (name, date of birth, etc.). On the enforcement side, ORS is required to enforce medical insurance in conjunction with enforcing child support. As part of this process we send the parent’s employer the National Medical Support Notice ordering the child to be enrolled in insurance. The form includes the child’s Social Security Number, because it is required to enroll the child in insurance. This is a federal form all child support agencies are required to use.
Thank you for your time and email.
Customer Service
Office of Recovery Services
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277