Sometimes there is a suffix (like 01 or 02 or 03) at the end of the rejection code the indicates which dependent it is referencing. You should check the SSN for all 3 of them. If you are entitled to claim all 3 dependents and one of their social security numbers has already been claimed, you are going to have to file by mail to claim all of them. Once a social security number is claimed on a tax return, that SSN can not be used on another e-filed tax return.
The IRS will sort it out later. If you know who claimed the dependent(s), you can let them know they will need to amend if you are qualified to claim them, but even if they do amend, you will still need to paper file in order to claim the dependents in question. The IRS will process your return in the normal timeframe and include all of your dependents.
If you don't know who claimed them or the other party won't amend, the IRS will send notices to both of you (later). The one who erroneously claimed the dependents will have to pay back any $$ amounts attributable to those dependents. @Michelle1986
See this Help Article to clarify which dependents you can claim on your tax return.
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