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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kathy c.
I am guardian to both my granddaughters and my daughter (their mother ) is out of the picture for now. She lost my granddaughters SS cards and I need a replacement for them for doctors offices and school. Please advise
Vonda
Thank you for using our blog, Kathy. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on how to replace a Social Security card for a child. To learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get replacement cards, please visit our Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security Card web page. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address.
You may also find our Social Security and Coronavirus web page helpful.
Anuj j.
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Fabzic
What should I do if I’m applying for minor. Can I do it online?
Cesar
Hi, I request a a name change about a month ago, I don’t received any communication yet just my original documents back, how much longer should I wait ?
Vonda
Hi Cesar, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. 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.
Jackie
Hello- I mailed in my application, driver’s license, marriage license, and birth certificate to change my name 2 months ago in Minnesota. When I called there, they said it might be in the mail room but they’re not sure and they have no tracking system. I’m leaving the country for an extended period of time soon and I need my documents. This is so crazy. Who can help?
Mina
That’s terrible! I’m scared to mail it in now. How could they not know where your sensitive documents and ID are located?
Vonda
Hi Jackie, 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.
William
Need a replacement card but when trying to get online it says I am not eligible. I live in PA.
Mina
I’m getting married this week. I live in Minnesota. Am I not allowed to go in the office and request a name change? Or do I have to mail in my application and such? If so, how long will the process take? Would it be possible to request a name change in a different state?
Jackie
Hello, I’m from MN and I mailed in everything to Minneapolis for a name change 2 months ago and still haven’t gotten anything back including my driver’s license. I called there and they said it’s not in their system yet and it might be in the mail room but they’re not sure. There’s no tracking system for me to check either. All the reviews for the one in Minneapolis are really bad. Not sure if you can send to a different place. You’ll need to check what it’s like now, but when I did it 2 months ago the only option was to mail it in for name changes. I’m going to call there again on Monday.
Vonda
Hi Mina, thank you for your question. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
Our Social Security and Coronavirus web page, under “Getting Help from Social Security heading”, provides 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 William, thank you for using our blog. We are temporarily allowing people to mail in an original or certified secondary identity document with their paper Social Security Number application (SS-5) if they cannot request a replacement SSN card online, or if they are unwilling or unable to mail the primary identity document. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for a listing of secondary documentation that you can provide to get a replacement card. We hope this helps!
Crystal
Do I need to go in person. I need to replace my ssc since they misspelled my name. They just put an I instead of a y in my name. It has never been an issue but I want to get it fixed since it’s bothering me
Vonda
Hi Crystal, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Social Security Number and Card web page for details on how to get a corrected Social Security card. If you click on Step 1, you can learn what documents you will need. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. All documents will be returned to you.
We are temporarily allowing people to mail in secondary identity documents with their paper Social Security Number application (SS-5). Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page and click on “Getting Help From Social Security” for a listing of secondary documentation that you can provide to get your name corrected. We hope this helps!
Crystal
But can i go in person? I don’t feel comfortable mailing in my birth certificate… if I can’t just make a copy of it. And will they accept a copy of my driver’s license? I can’t mail that in… I need it.
Vonda
Hi Crystal, thank you for using our blog. We are temporarily allowing people to mail in an original or certified secondary identity document with their paper Social Security Number application (SS-5) if they are unwilling or unable to mail the primary identity document. Our Social Security and Coronavirus web page, under “Getting Help from Social Security heading”, provides details on the documents you need to mail in with your Social Security card application to get a corrected card.
If you have additional questions, you can call your local Social Security office. Please 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.
marisa p.
my daughter got married sept. 2020. she sent in necessary documents for name change on soc sec card. back in jan or Feb 2021. as of today 4-30-21 she hasn’t received card in the mail yet. why not?
,
USA.gov
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marisa p.
my daughter got maried Sept 2020. she sent in documents to get card with married name on it back in jan or feb 2021. hasn’t received her card yet. what is taking so long
Vonda
Hi Marisa, thanks for using our blog. Your daughter should call her 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.
Joy R.
Contacting a lawyer as I cannot mail my DL, my local police dept said it is illegal! People at my local office are incredibly rude and will not even answer questions!
Vonda
Hi Joy, thank you for using our blog. We are temporarily allowing people to mail in an original or certified secondary identity document with their paper Social Security Number application (SS-5) if they cannot request a replacement SSN card online, or if they are unwilling or unable to mail the primary identity document. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for a listing of secondary documentation that you can provide to get a replacement card. We hope this helps!
USA.gov
May 12, 2020 11:27AM
Hi Matthew. If you’re referring to non receipt of a Social Security or SSI benefit, please contact your bank or financial institution first. They may be able to determine if your direct deposit failed. If you still need to report a late, missing or stolen Social Security payment, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please 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.