I am marrying a Vietnamese national. We live in Vietnam. I am collecting social security now and know I am entitled to claim benefits for a birth or adopted child.

I will be adopting this child. I am running into a virtual loop. When I reach social security by 800-number, they told me I need to talk to my local embassy social security personnel.

I got as far as the front desk at the Bangkok embassy and they told me I need to handle this issue with the Social Security office, not the embassy.

However, I was told this child I am adopting would need a social security number. This would seem to mean to me that my little girl would need to be a US citizen to get a social security number; or am I wrong about that?

I need to get this sorted out. Anyone here with similar circumstances? Or any lawyer reading this who can advise?

Thanks