You can replace your Social Security card by mail, in person, or online depending on your state
The Social Security Administration (SSA) lets you replace a lost, stolen, or damaged card through three routes: online at ssa.gov (available in most states), by mail using Form SS-5, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online replacement is the fastest option where available — you can finish in minutes and receive your card in 7 to 10 business days. Mail and in-person routes take longer but work everywhere.
You do not need to pay for a replacement card. The SSA issues one free replacement per year, and additional replacements if you can document a specific reason (identity theft, name change, damage). You will need proof of identity, proof of citizenship, and proof of your current legal name.
Key Takeaways
- Online replacement through ssa.gov is available in most states and takes 7 to 10 business days with no documents mailed in advance.
- In-person replacement at a Social Security office requires an appointment (book at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213) and proof of identity, citizenship, and current legal name.
- Mail replacement using Form SS-5 takes 2 to 3 weeks and requires the same documents as in-person, sent with your form.
- You get one free replacement per year; additional replacements are free only if you document identity theft, name change, or card damage.
- Your replacement card arrives by mail to the address on file with the SSA, so update your address before you request a new card if you have moved.
Online replacement: fastest route in most states
Visit ssa.gov/myaccount and create or sign into your my Social Security account. Click "Replace your Social Security card" and answer questions about your identity, current address, and reason for replacement. The system will verify your information against SSA records and other government databases.
If you pass verification, you will receive a confirmation page with a tracking number. Your card will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days to the address on file. You do not mail in documents or visit an office. This route is not available if you are under 18, have never had a Social Security card, or live in a state where the SSA has not yet launched the online service — currently available in most but not all states.
If the online system cannot verify your identity, you will be told to use mail or in-person replacement instead. This happens most often if your address does not match SSA records or if you have not filed taxes recently.
In-person replacement at a Social Security office
Book an appointment at ssa.gov/appt or call 1-800-772-1213. You will need to bring original or certified copies of three documents: one for identity (driver's license, passport, or state ID), one for citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers), and one showing your current legal name if it differs from your birth name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Photocopies are not accepted.
Bring your documents and appointment confirmation to your local Social Security office on the scheduled date. An employee will review your documents, take your photo, and submit your replacement request. Your card will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you cannot find your documents or they are damaged, ask the office staff what alternatives they accept — some offices will work with you if you bring a second form of ID instead.
Wait times at offices vary widely. Some locations have same-day appointments; others book weeks out. If you cannot get an appointment soon, mail replacement is usually faster.
Mail replacement using Form SS-5
read Form SS-5 from ssa.gov or request it by calling 1-800-772-1213. Fill out the form completely, including your Social Security number, date of birth, and reason for replacement. Gather the same three documents you would bring in person: proof of identity, proof of citizenship, and proof of your current legal name.
Make copies of your documents (front and back for IDs). Do not send originals. Mail the completed form and copies to the address listed on the form — this varies by state. Include a cover letter with your name, Social Security number, and phone number so the SSA can contact you if there are questions.
Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the SSA receives your mail. Your replacement card arrives by mail to the address you listed on the form. If you move before your card arrives, contact the SSA to update your address.
What documents count as proof of identity
The SSA accepts a current driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID as proof of identity. If you do not have any of these, you can use a work ID, school ID, or voter registration card, but the SSA prefers government-issued photo ID. Expired IDs are accepted if the photo still looks like you.
If you have no ID at all, call your local Social Security office to ask what alternatives they will accept. Some offices will work with you using a combination of documents (utility bill plus birth certificate, for example), but this varies by location.
What documents count as proof of citizenship
The SSA accepts a U.S. birth certificate, passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship. If your birth certificate is from a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands), it counts. If you were born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, bring your Consular Report of Birth Abroad or your passport.
Birth certificates must show the state or territory where you were born. If you do not have your original, order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born — this usually costs $10 to $25 and takes 1 to 2 weeks. Photocopies and certified mail copies from your own files are not accepted.
If your name has changed
If you married, divorced, or legally changed your name, bring the document that shows the change: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The SSA will update your name in their system and issue a card with your new name. If you changed your name through marriage or divorce, bring the original or certified copy of the certificate. Photocopies are not accepted.
If you changed your name by court order, bring the original or certified copy of the order. Some states issue a separate "name change certificate" — bring that if you have it, or the court order itself. The SSA will not issue a new card with a different name without this document, even if you have been using the new name for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a replacement Social Security card?
Online replacement takes 7 to 10 business days. In-person and mail replacement also take 7 to 10 business days for the card to arrive by mail, but you add time for the appointment wait (in-person) or mail delivery to the SSA (mail). Mail replacement usually takes 2 to 3 weeks total.
Can I get a replacement card if my Social Security card was stolen?
Yes. You get one free replacement per year for any reason. If your card was stolen as part of identity theft, you can request additional free replacements beyond the annual limit — contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to report the theft and request extra replacements.
What if I do not have a birth certificate?
Order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born. This usually costs $10 to $25 and takes 1 to 2 weeks. If you were born abroad, use your passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad instead. If you have none of these, call your local Social Security office to ask about alternatives.
Do I need an appointment for in-person replacement?
Yes. Book at ssa.gov/appt or call 1-800-772-1213. Walk-ins are not accepted at most offices. If you cannot get an appointment soon, mail or online replacement may be faster.
Can someone else pick up my replacement card for me?
No. The SSA mails replacement cards to the address on file in your account. You cannot have someone else collect it in person. If you move before your card arrives, update your address with the SSA before you request the replacement.