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
See CommentsAbout the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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Brandon S.
My social security card is lost and I have no way of proving my identity, I have my birth certificate but that is it. I’m at a loss as of what to do at this point. I have the last 4 digits of my social security number and my parents social security numbers. What do I do?
Ann C.
Hi, Brandon. We are sorry to hear about your situation. First, realize that you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing the Social Security number is what is important. For more information about what documents you will need to get a card please visit our Social Security Number and Card page. Keep in mind all submitted documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency and must (unless otherwise indicated) have been issued within the last two years. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. If you have further specific questions, please contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Kristel
I applied for a name change in March, and its now May. Is there any way to check on the status of this without calling the office? Every time I’ve tried I’ve been hung up on or waited hours for someone to answer the phone before it dropped again. This has been truly frustrating as I had to submit my passport, I needed my license to drive to and from work. I now need my passport because I moved out of work and require my license to be changed. They won’t accept my current NJ license as proof of id, they need a passport.
Ann C.
Hi, Kristel. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. Please be aware our call volume has been higher than normal. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also continue to try to contact your local Social Security office again. We hope this is resolved soon.
Mark T.
Hi Kristel – Did you get your new SS card? I’m still waiting. I received my document within a week after I mailed it. I was told it was cut/printed last May 20 and it should arrive within two weeks. I’m wondering if I should wait and call on the 4th week.
Just wondering others experience if I should be worried.
Brandon W.
I was recently helping my father apply for Medicare when we discovered that somehow his first name was changed on his social secruity record. His first name was changed to a nickname. He has no idea how this happened and has never used this nickname on any legal documents. He called social secruity and it was confirmed that his first name was listed as the nickname but with the correct last name.
How does he go about correcting his name on his social secruity record? Would this be a name change request? He has no documentation with the nickname as he has never used it in any official capacity. What documents would he need to make the correction.
Secondly is there a way for him to find out when and how his first name was changed to begin with? We are worried that could have been an attempt at identity theft by someone who knows him and obtained his information and are afraid of a continue threat.
Ann C.
Hi, Brandon. Thanks for your questions. In order to change his name on his Social Security card, your father must show us a document that proves his legal name change. If the document he provides as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify him in our records, he must show us an identity document in his old name (as shown in our records). We offer the option for him to mail his completed application with original or certified documents to his local Social Security office. For more information about how and what to submit, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Our offices are currently open only for in-person appointments for limited, critical situations. We are unable to accept walk-in visitors. If you feel your father has a critical situation, please visit here for more information. Finally, if he suspects identity theft, he should go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). We hope this helps.
Saundra
HI
3 weeks ago I applied for a replacement SS card for a minor. The documents required arrived today. When can we hope to get the card
Cyril
Where state are you in
Saundra
Louisiana…i see from the attached chart that it could take up to 4 weeks….does the SSA send documents separate from the new card usually? and how long to follow documentation does the card usually arrive?
Cyril
I have no idea I’m from Louisiana and was wondering when will I recieve my paperwork back I dropped it off in the Dropbox last Monday but since you got yours in 3 weeks it shouldn’t be that long
Mark T.
Hi Saundra – Did you get your new card? I was told mine was cut/printed last May 20 and it should arrive within 2 weeks. It will be 4 weeks next week and still waiting.
Just want to find out if a lot of ppl are experiencing delay in receiving it.
Ann C.
Hi, Saundra. Thanks for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Suzanne
I’m trying to help.my son get answers. He had a baby in December and they still have not received her card. They have called several times and keep getting told they should be getting it. Its urgent they get it for taxes, insurance etc and they have no way to get it since the offices are closed Please help
Vonda
Hi Suzanne, thanks for reaching out. We apologize for the delay in receiving the baby’s Social Security card. Each state has different processing times. See our chart on how long your state takes to process the card application. If you haven’t received the card within the time frame given, 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.
Hua D.
Hi, I want to know if I need to make a correction on my date of birth, do I need to make a appointment? or I can apply it online? Which application should i file? Also I only have a vaild U.S. driver’s license and my forgein birth certificate. is there any other document that I need?
Tammy M.
Do I have to make an appointment or walk in
Vonda
Hi Hua, thanks for using our blog. To correct your date of birth on your Social Security record, you will need to apply for a corrected Social Security card. Visit our Learn What Documents You Need for details on the documentation requirements. Under the heading, “Type of Card,” select “Corrected” for a list of the documents needed. You will need to provide evidence of your age (for example, a U.S. public birth certificate) and current documentation for evidence of identity. For complete instructions, go to the Social Security Number and Card web page.
If you have additional questions regarding the process, 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.
Cyril
How long does it take to replace a social security card
Vonda
Hi Cyril, thanks for using our blog. We will mail your Social Security card as soon as we have all of the necessary information. Generally, you will get your card within 10-14 business days from the date your application is processed.
To check on the status of your application, 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.
Martin
I applied for name change on my wifes social security card here in Florida. It’s been two months! I’ve called several times and got different answers and that they couldn’t check in the system that it’s processed . Everytime I called I was following the representative instructions of what I need to do. I received the documents back and two letters saying that my application was accepted on two different dates. Last time I called I was told that they have to call the Immigration and that it was verified that the application went through and that I should be getting the card in 6-10 business days. Today I received the second letter with different date and a letter that states that due to Homeland and Security not being able to verify the documents the card can’t be issued. I can’t believe what I am going through with the customer service representatives but this is unbelievable. I’ve missed 7 appointments with DMV and she can’t even get an ID because of this.
Ann C.
Hi, Martin. We are sorry to hear about your experience and understand your frustration. For your wife’s security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Please contact your localSocial Security office to follow up. You can ask to speak to a manager to on your next call. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this is resolved soon.
Chris
My wife did this and got her marriage certificate back in the mail but not her new social security card. Why is that?
Cyril
When did you guys apply for the replacement
Vonda
Hi Chris, thanks for using our blog to reach out to us. Your wife can 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.
Staci W.
Can I drop documents off to a SSA worker or if you have a safe drop box.
I’ve mailed stuff before from post office and SSA / Job and Family Services never got my stuff. This happened a couple times which is why I FAX stuff whenever possible .
Can be expensive but faster…
💥If you read in the Google reviews, there’s been complaints of mail theft by someone at the
83 Robinwood Ave. (ACROSS from Target 🎯 Store )Mail Hold Room where all the mail is supposed to get sorted and delivered for the past couple years and still keeps happening💥
Classified mail – not including junk mail doesn’t always get delivered. The manager doesn’t seem to care or act like he can do anything about ” lost mail” because I’ve complained before and I’m afraid to mail personal identifying stuff ( SS #, etc…) from THIS particular post office.
⌛Not any other ones but THIS ONE ONLY…
Staci W.
💥💥PS : to SSA
the USPS mail room ( 43213) location is SEPARATE from the place where you send mail / pkgs / buy stamps which is on E. Broad St. ACROSS from Kroger.
Vonda
Hi Staci, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Please call your local Social Security office to inquire on a drop box. 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.
Rodrigo C.
Hola, trabajé en EEUU desde el año 2003 y tengo un número de seguro social, que no recuerdo y ya no tengo la tarjeta. Cómo puedo recuperar el número para saber mis aportes. monetarios. Vivo en chile, mi país de origen y no volveré a EEUU.
Tengo sólo un ID caducado de la época.
Ann C.
Hi, Rodrigo. For information in Spanish, please visit us at http://www.segurosocial.gov, http://www.facebook.com/segurosocial, or http://www.twitter/segurosocial. For Social Security information in other languages, please visit us at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/multilanguage. Thanks!