Social Security Reverses Course, Will Allow Parents to Register Newborns in Maine Hospitals

The acting head of the agency issued an apology over the issue, saying it ‘created an undue burden’ for residents.

In this photo illustration, a Social Security card sits alongside checks from the U.S. Treasury in Washington, DC on Oct. 14, 2021. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The director of the Social Security Administration (SSA) said Friday that it reversed a policy for Maine that would have mandated parents to register their newborns for Social Security numbers at a federal office rather than at the hospital.

Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek said he recently ordered the agency to end its Enumeration at Birth contract for Maine but said Friday that it was a mistake. The contract for Maine was immediately reinstated, he said.