Online Services, Social Security Number and Card

California Drivers Can Now Replace Their Social Security Card Online

April 24, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

woman sitting on laptop outside by the waterReplacing your lost or misplaced Social Security card doesn’t have to be a chore. Our online application makes getting a replacement card super easy. No sitting in traffic, a local office, or a Card Center.

We’re happy to announce that we’ve added California to the growing list of 16 other states and the District of Columbia where you can use this service.  California joins Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin provided residents with online access to replace their cards.

If you own a California driver’s license or a state-issued identification card, you can now request their replacement Social Security card online through our secure my Social Security  portal. As long as you’re only requesting a replacement card, and no other changes, you can use our free online service from the comfort of your home, office, and even the beach.

You’ll need to create a my Social Security  account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount/.

Because your security and protection matters to us, we protect your information by using strict identity verification and security features. The application process has built-in features to detect fraud and confirm your identity. Once you have a personal account, simply follow the instructions to replace your Social Security card. In many cases, even if you lost your card, you may not need a replacement. Most of the time, simply knowing your Social Security number is enough.

More than 100,000 people have replaced their Social Security card online through our safe, convenient, and secure systems. You can be next, as long as you meet certain requirements.

Visit our website to find out whether you can request your replacement Social Security online, and what the requirements are in your area at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. raymond b.

    the SSA,, makes it very hard to re-create a new account when you cannot remember your last account info.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Raymond. We are sorry you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  2. Teruaki G.

    I cannot create a Social Security email account. The online application assumes I have a mortgage, and recently opened a new credit card account: I have neither a mortgage or new credit card.
    Then it locked me out of the application process. Will you help me?

  3. Ed T.

    At the top of this page, it says California Drivers can now replace their social security card on line. We went to the Social Security Office and it was very crowded but we saw a sign that said you could get a replacement card on line. We came home and went through the set up process only to be told you can’t get a replacement card by requesting it on line. Someone needs to correct the message posted on this page above.

  4. William P.

    I am a California native with a valid DL. When I tried to used the online portal to get a replacement SSA card the site indicates that I cannot even though articles and site information says I can

    I need card for new job after wallet and card are lost (passport expired)

    Please help me understand

    • A.C.

      Hi, William. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you are still encountering a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. Your local office can also assist with a replacement Social Security card. We hope this helps.

  5. Mike S.

    Why are you posting this outdated article about California drivers being allowed to replace their Social Security card online? We set up an identity for my wife and were promptly refused!

    • A.C.

      Hi, Mike. We apologize for the inconvenience that your wife is experiencing. For security reasons, we do not have access to information about personal accounts in this venue. Remember that knowing her number is what is important. She will rarely need to show her card. However, if she must get a replacement card and she is having difficulty applying online, she can apply in person at her local Social Security office or she can mail her application to her local office. To print the application, she can go here. Once she completes it, take or mail it with her original documents to her local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  6. Ernest J.

    I am trying to get a replacement SS card. I have tried for two days to set up a “My SS account” and have been locked out for the second time. It says I have an account which I have no record of ever doing in my password
    file which I have carefully maintained for 20 years. I am unable to make an appointment for weeks and the wait time at the local office was hours without an appointment. This is just crazy.

    • R.F.

      We’re sorry that you had difficulty accessing your my Social Security account. If you are still having trouble accessing your account, please call our dedicated my Social Security-Hotline. To reach this hotline, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”. Sometimes is better to contact your local Social Security office.
      To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card, please visit our “Social Security Number and Card” web page. Thanks!

  7. MKhalland

    Dear Mr. Borland, today (11/28/2018) I used my SS account to request a replacement SS card (mine has been lost); the site says this is not possible, and looking at the states in which such is allowed I see that California (despite a 4/24/2017 post attributed to you) is not among the states listed as accepting online applications.
    Help! I will just settle for a specific address (street/city/zip code) to which I can mail my application and from which I will receive a replacement card. I can find no such address on line. Thank you, MKHalland

  8. Laurie V.

    i fiilled out form of replacement ss card..Did you receive it ?

    • V.V.

      Hi Laurie. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot check on the status. To confirm receipt and processing of the application, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or you can contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks.

  9. heather j.

    can replace my stolen Identity ssi card wity our a dr lic

    • R.F.

      Hello Heather. Yes, we prefer a government issued document with your picture, as proof of identity to replace your Social Security card. We may -also- be able to use other documents such as:
      •Employee identification card;
      •School identification card;
      •Health insurance card; or
      •U.S. military identification card.
      Any document you submit, must be an original or certified copy, current (not expired) and show your name, and other identifying information (date of birth or age).
      Also, realize that you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important.
      To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card, please visit our “Social Security Number and Card” web page. Thanks!

  10. Dana

    I have a CA driver’s license and just tried this online capability. CA DMV announced this capability 4/11/17 and the SSA announced it 4/24/17. I can see from the above that IT DID NOT WORK on 4/26/17 & IT STILL DOES NOT WORK for me today, 7/30/18.
    The call to the helpdesk did not help as they blamed a technical glitch of 2 months ago to my citizenship status for this capability not working!
    What is wrong? Can someone take the responsibility

    • Dana

      This is Dana again and, yes, I am replying to my own entry.
      To everyone who has taken the time to post on this blog about this online capability not working, I have some information for you. Contact your LOCAL card center for SSA and ask them what data is missing or is incorrect in their system. In my case, my citizenship was ‘unknown’ which supposedly did not allow me to logon to request a replacement card although it did allow me to create a logon account to SSA. I am going to go tomorrow to ‘become a citizen in the eyes of SSA’ and then try to logon again. I will keep you posted.

Comments are closed.