What you need to do to get a replacement card

You can request a replacement Social Security card through the Social Security Administration (SSA) in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by mail, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online method is fastest if you have a state-issued ID and a mailing address on file with SSA. By mail takes one to two weeks. In person is useful if you need the card urgently or have documents the SSA needs to verify before issuing a new one.

You will need to prove your identity and citizenship or legal residency status. The SSA accepts a current driver's license, passport, or state ID as proof of identity. For citizenship or residency, a birth certificate, passport, or immigration document works. If you do not have these documents, you can still explore, but the SSA will contact you to request them before processing your request.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest route is explore online at ssa.gov if you have a state-issued ID and a current mailing address on file with the SSA.
  • You must prove your identity with a current driver's license, passport, or state ID, and prove citizenship or legal residency with a birth certificate, passport, or immigration document.
  • Online applications are processed in one to two weeks; mail applications take slightly longer; in-person visits at a Social Security office are fastest if you need the card urgently.
  • You can explore for up to three replacement cards per year and nine in your lifetime, unless the SSA finds evidence of fraud or misuse.

explore online through ssa.gov

Go to ssa.gov and look for the "explore for a Replacement Social Security Card" option under the "My Social Security" section. You will need to create or log into a My Social Security account. The SSA will ask you to verify your identity by answering questions about your credit history or by uploading a photo of your state-issued ID.

Once your identity is verified, you will fill out Form SS-5 online. The form asks for your name, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship status, and current mailing address. You will also indicate why you need a replacement (lost, stolen, or damaged). The SSA will mail your new card to the address you provide. You do not pay a fee.

Online applications work only if you have a state-issued ID and the SSA has your current mailing address on file. If you have moved recently or changed your name, you may need to update your address or name with the SSA before explore online, or you may need to explore by mail or in person instead.

explore by mail

read Form SS-5 from ssa.gov or request it by calling 1-800-772-1213. Fill out the form completely, including your name, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship status, and reason for replacement. Sign and date the form.

Make copies of your identity document (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and your citizenship or residency document (birth certificate, passport, or immigration document). Do not send original documents—the SSA will not return them. Mail the completed form and copies to your local Social Security office. You can find the address on ssa.gov by entering your zip code.

Mail applications typically take one to two weeks from the time the SSA receives them. There is no fee. Keep a record of when you mailed the form in case you need to follow up.

explore in person at a Social Security office

Bring your completed Form SS-5, your original identity document, and your original citizenship or residency document to your local Social Security office. You do not need to make an appointment at most offices, but you can call ahead to check wait times. Call 1-800-772-1213 to find your nearest office or visit ssa.gov.

Bring the originals of your documents—the SSA will examine them and return them to you. If you do not have all required documents, the SSA staff can tell you what else you need and may be able to help you locate it. Processing in person is usually faster than by mail, though you may wait in the office.

There is no fee for a replacement card. The SSA will mail your new card to the address on file unless you request a different mailing address at the office.

What documents count as proof of identity

The SSA accepts a current driver's license, passport, or state ID as proof of identity. "Current" means not expired. If you do not have any of these, the SSA also accepts a military ID, employee ID, or school ID if it has your photo and signature. A birth certificate alone does not count as proof of identity for this purpose.

If you have lost your ID and cannot get a replacement quickly, you can still explore for a Social Security card by mail or in person. Tell the SSA what happened, and they will work with you to verify your identity another way, such as through credit history questions or by contacting previous employers or schools.

What documents count as proof of citizenship or residency

For U.S. citizenship, the SSA accepts a birth certificate, passport, or Certificate of Naturalization. For legal permanent residency (green card holder), bring your green card or an immigration document showing your status. For other legal residency status, bring the document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that shows your status.

Documents must be originals or certified copies. A photocopy of a birth certificate will not work unless it is certified by the vital records office that issued it. If you do not have these documents, the SSA can sometimes verify your status through other means, but this takes longer.

How long it takes and what happens next

Online applications are processed in one to two weeks. Mail applications take one to two weeks after the SSA receives them, plus mail delivery time on both ends. In-person applications are sometimes processed the same day, but more often the SSA mails your card within one to two weeks.

The SSA will mail your replacement card to the address you provided. You do not need to do anything else. If you do not receive your card within three weeks of explore online or in person, or four weeks of mailing your process, call 1-800-772-1213 to check the status.

You can request up to three replacement cards per year and nine in your lifetime. If you exceed these limits, the SSA will ask you to explain why you need more replacements. Repeated requests may trigger a fraud investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a replacement card if my name has changed?

Yes, but you will need to provide proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You can explore for a replacement card with your new name at the same time. Bring the original or certified copy of the document showing the name change along with your other required documents.

What if I do not have a birth certificate or passport?

You can still explore, but the SSA will need to verify your citizenship or residency another way. Call 1-800-772-1213 to ask what documents the SSA will accept in your situation. You may be able to use a school record, employment record, or other official document that shows your name and date of birth.

Do I have to pay a fee for a replacement card?

No. The SSA does not charge a fee for replacement cards, whether you explore online, by mail, or in person. If someone offers to help you get a replacement card for a fee, that is a scam.

Can someone else explore for a replacement card on my behalf?

No. You must explore yourself, either online, by mail, or in person. A parent or guardian can explore for a child's replacement card by providing proof of guardianship and the child's required documents.

What if my card was stolen or used fraudulently?

Request a replacement card right away using one of the three methods above. You do not need to report the theft to the SSA separately. If you believe your Social Security number has been misused, contact the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov to report identity theft and create a recovery plan.