Replacement or Corrected Social Security Cards during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: February 21, 2023
Social Security offices are currently open only for in-person appointments for limited, critical situations, depending upon local office conditions. However, you can continue to apply for a replacement Social Security card online and by mail.
Before requesting a replacement card, please remember that you might not need the physical card. Most of the time, simply knowing your Social Security number is enough.
If you have a critical situation that requires you to have a physical card and you cannot apply by mail or online, you should call your local Social Security office. Please visit our website for more information.
Applying Online
If you don’t need any changes to your Social Security Number record (such as a name or date of birth change), applying for a replacement card online is your most convenient option. You don’t need to mail proof or visit an office.
You can use our online application if you are an adult, have a State-issued drivers’ license or non-driver identification card, and live in the District of Columbia or one of the 45 States that verifies State-issued documents for us. All you need to do is create a my Social Security account to access and complete the online application.
If you live in one of the five States that do not participate—Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and West Virginia—know that we are working hard to bring this service to you as soon as possible.
Applying by Mail
We require proof of your identity with your replacement card application, usually a State-issued drivers’ license or non-driver identification card, or U.S. passport. We call these documents “primary” identity proofs. We understand mailing primary identity proofs with your replacement card application can be challenging. To help, we are temporarily expanding our policy to accept alternative identity documents—or what we call “secondary proofs”—when you cannot mail primary proof.
Acceptable secondary proofs include, but are not limited to:
- Employee identification card.
- School identification card.
- Health insurance card (not a Medicare card).
- U.S. military identification card.
These proofs must be current (not expired), show your name and identifying information (such as your date of birth or age), and be an original or a certified copy.
If you need to change your name, when you mail your replacement card application, you will need to submit proof of identity plus proof of the name change. The proof of identity can be primary or secondary proof. Proof of the name change could be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, Certificate of Naturalization showing the new name, or a court order approving the name change.
You may be able to submit one document to serve as proof of your name change and identity. For example, you may submit a marriage certificate as proof of name change and identity if the certificate shows the marriage occurred within the prior two years and:
- Includes your prior name.
- Includes your age, birth date or parents’ names.
- This information matches your Social Security Number record.
We will return any documents you send us.
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Tags: COVID-19, Social Security card
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Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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Virginia R.
I moved to another state in late February of 2020 during the move I lost my SS card. When I tried to apply for a new one online it’ll only allow me to enter a few numbers from my expired drivers license. I no longer drive since I have access to public transportation but I need an my SS card to get a new ID. PLEASE HELP ME
Gaylord H.
I need a replacement SS card to get a RealID. Pennsylvania Department of Transit asserts that they need to see the actual copy of the Social Security Card.
my Social Security will not send me a replacement card as I have not applied for a replacement card or a name change recently.
My local office, downtown Philadelphia is not accepting any calls to make appointments. They offer a menu option to talk to an officer and hang up.
I really don’t want to send original documentation, especially as there is nothing on the SSA web site about how documents are returned, and the Postal Service is currently over whelmed.
Jamie
Hello,
Please confirm if I could just send in a copy of my marriage certificate?
Recent got married and need to change my last name.
Thank you.
Luchia
I can’t do it online there is something wrong with my login and we can’t get it fixed… I need the mailing address so I can send the documents to replace my SS. I can’t find the mailling address anywhere???? Please help.
Vonda
Hi Luchia, thanks for using our blog. Use our Social Security Office Locator to obtain your local office mailing address and telephone number. We hope this helps!
Tiffany N.
Hi,
I saw that you can do this online, but when I looked into my online account (Mass resident) it gave no option. I am trying to enlist in the military. Does a temporary SSA card work, instead?
Vonda
Hi Tiffany, thank you for your question. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on getting help with your Social Security number. If you cannot request a replacement card online, call your local office and request that we mail you an SSN printout instead of a replacement Social Security card. Unfortunately, we are unable to process replacement Social Security card requests by phone at this time. We hope this helps!
Robert
Thank you for providing this blog. I need a replacement SSN card HOWEVER I was born outside the US and am a greencard holder (form I-551). Because of this I cannot apply online through ‘my Social Security’. I definitely don’t want to mail my greencard, passport, and US driver’s license as proof of identity. How can I handle this during the pandemic? Would love to it digitally if possible.
Vonda
Hi Robert, thanks for using our blog. Please check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on getting help with Social Security number issues. If you believe you qualify for an in-person appointment, call your local office. You can look up the phone number for your local office by accessing our office locator. Please note that appointments may not be immediately available, depending on local health and safety conditions and staffing. We hope this helps!
Rosalind H.
My boyfriend send in his document it been two months and no reply no social security card no word or text about his card
Linda L.
I gor married just over 2 years ago, after the 1st year i went to ss office qnd of coarse theyr’e closed due to pandemic. I need to get my last name changed to my husbands. I figured they’d be re opened by now but butthey’re not. What should i or can I do to get my last name changed? I refuse to send my physical drivers license and marrige certificate in themail. Is illegal to drive without my license in my posetion and last i checked they only except originals no copies. Can anyone tell me what to do because this is ridiculous is been 2 years and i still am forced to go by my maiden name.
Vonda
Hi Linda, thank you for your question. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on the documents you need to mail in with your Social Security card application to get a replacement card with your new name. We temporarily expanded our policy to accept secondary identity documents. We hope this helps!
Vonda
Hi Rosalind, thanks for using our blog. Your boyfriend should call his local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jessie m.
Need social sercirty card
Vonda
Hi Jessie, thank you for your question. First, realize you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on getting help with your Social Security number. We hope this helps!
Candy H.
Unfortunately, if applying for unemployment, you are required to show it. It’s ridiculous, knowing it should definitely be enough when also sending in proof of govt issued state i.d.!!!
CarterG.
My wife and I have yet to receive our documents we mailed in for proof of identity. Passport included. This is four months after receiving her new SS Card.
Vonda
Hi Carter, thanks for using our blog. Please call your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Allen B.
Hello, my question is why are the SS offices close, there are alot of places open now like walmart, home depot, lowes and gas stations and alot of different stores and barber shops? People need name changes on their cards because the are divorces or married and they don’t want to mail in inportant paper work you don’t want to take a chance on getting lost.
Thank you for you time,
Allen B Zeigler
Vonda
Hi Allen, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on the documents you need to mail in with your Social Security card application to get a replacement card with your new name. We temporarily expanded our policy to accept secondary identity documents. We hope this helps!
Kyle U.
My friend needs a social security card replacement we’ve all ready complete the social security card replacement Application in February 2021 and sent it of and my friend has not got replacement social security card plus he needs to change address too. Need help he needs it to get a Job Thanks.
Ann C.
Hi, Kyle. For your friend’s security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. He can contact his local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this is resolved soon.
Sal B.
-There Was a Website On Facebook, I should Have Saved it That Offered Replacements But Charged about $40. I had To Send a Document of a Valid Drivers Licence or Passport. Thats When I Knew it was a Scam. If It appears again I Will Send it Here or Other SS places. Then I get on The Social Security Website And Requested it. Now I Have the replacement