Child Actor Documentation

In order to get your child started in acting, you need your child to have more than just their talent; you need the correct paperwork for them to be allowed to work and get paid. There are laws that exist in order to help protect child actors and their parents and these rules must be followed at all times. Any company who doesn’t want you to follow these rules should not be dealt with. Any company who tries to skirt these rules should be reported.

In the U.S, children who want to work as actors need to have two documents in order to work. Children require a valid original work permit and a social security number as well. The process to obtain these documents may vary slightly depending on the state you live in but you can easily find information on the process from the Department of Social Services in your city.

The Work Permit

Each state has a process and a work permit required for child actors. In the state of California, for example, there’s an entertainment work permit department that gives you a six month permit. You need to renew it at each expiry. The permit needs to be obtained before your child is working and the industry will not allow any exceptions; they’re not allowed to. This is a point that bears repeating, they will have to have it prior to working!

The reason it bears repeating is because some parents jump into the industry without the knowledge and documents and are disappointed when they turn up on set and find out that their child cannot work on a role they were cast in because of the lack of documentation. The casting director won’t wait; they will cast someone else in the role that is prepared. Best to be prepared in advance and don’t bother trying to fool anyone by pretending to have misplaced the permit. They cannot hire you if they don’t see the original documents!

Work permits are also signed by a teacher or social worker on site. Many companies have these individuals on staff who will accompany your child if there are on location shoots.  Laws are in place to protect children, ensure they don’t work more hours than is law and have the ability to attend school or be tutored on set. This individual works on behalf of your child to ensure that they are being cared for according to the laws of the home state with respect to education and to child labor laws.

Child labor laws vary depending on the state and regardless of where your child is working, the laws of your home state apply and these laws are in place to protect the child and the child’s parent. If you’re from California and are working on set in Montana, Californian laws will apply.

Applying for and Keeping Your Work Permit

When applying for the work permit through the Department of Social Services, the birth certificate of your child and information about the child’s school needs to be given. Either the last report card (if school is not currently in session) or a note that indicates your child has good grades and good conduct is required when applying for your child’s work permit. If you have a child not yet in school, only their birth certificate is required to obtain the work permit.  The work permit lasts six months and you will receive (in the mail) a renewal form about two weeks or so prior to expiry.

Be sure to keep your original copy with you at all times as you’ll need to present it for each job your child has.  Studio social workers and teachers will not accept a copy.  There will be an additional original copy on file with the Department of Social Services 

Social Security Card

Your child needs a social security card in order for your child to be paid. It’s law that payments for minors can not be given without the social security card in order to protect your child. Companies and studios cannot hire your child without a SSN by law.

Obtaining your child’s social security card is not difficult and can be done via mail, via online application or by visiting your local Department of Social Security.  Directions are given on what’s required in order to obtain the card but you will definitely need your child’s birth certificate and one other piece of identification. See their website or call them for more information at: 1-800-772-1213 or http://www.ssa.gov.

After you have your paperwork issues taken care of, the next step in beginning your child’s acting career is to help them find an agent.