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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Dana
It is ridiculous that the country has no “opened up,” yet the Social Security Admin. offices are still closed to the public. I have been trying to go back to my maiden name since February. First I was told I did not need proof of identity, just the court order that was notarized as original. All the paperwork came back denied, as now your office needs proof of identity. However, the only valid proof I have is a CA driver’s license… something that is illegal to drive without here in sunny Cali!! 5 different calls to my local office (Glendora) and all I get is, “Well, we should be open by next year.”
This government body is a joke!
Chris
Drivers license:
You can mail SSA a “properly certified extract document”
In Maryland (where I live) I got a certified drivers record.
It will have all of the extracted Info from your license.
See document “Program Operations Manual System (POMS)
https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110210420
under D. types of documents from a custodian of the record.
It worked for me.
Mark C.
The Administrator of Social Security should be fired for the useless on line responses to fellow Americans pressing questions. When the President pend up all facilities post COVID 19 to most Americans the SSA is still closed for face to face appointments . Shame on you . but it does not matter as your non AI bots will tell me to contact my local SSA office anyway
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Tony
Hi – What is the approximate processing time to receive a replacement card during COVID?
Website shows about 10 days but I think that was pre-covid. Also, per the Q&A it says an email is sent when the card is mailed. Is that still accurate?
Thanks
A.C.
Hi, Tony. To follow up on your application for a replacement card, please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
lilly
In this present era everyone is stuck in their houses and got bore.
Everyone, is anxious and depressed.
So, to avoid this make your habbit to play some games. It is best practice.
PROTASE K.
I am a prospective Student ID:2108633 for a Doctor of Business Administration scheduled Jan. 13, 2021 at: University of Maryland Global Campus since Aug. 20, 2020.
I applied for a studentaid.ed.gov on Sept. 14, 2020 but since ” My FSA ID ” hasn’t been verified by SSA due to ” My Personal Information ” failed the match, in spite all instructions given to follow. The main challenge is on my invalid SSN ! In case my issue is being worked on how shall know?
A.C.
Hi, Protase. 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.
Laura
I mailed my application and primary documents via registered mail, they arrived on Feb 26th to the social security office, it is not May 20th (~3 months later). I still have not received any response on my application not have I received a return of my documents. I am very worried that my irreplaceable documents are forever lost. I response would greatly ease my angst.
A.C.
Hi, Laura. We are sorry to hear that. 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.
Cyril
I received my documents back how do I know if my application went through
A.C.
Hi, Cyril. 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.
Angie B.
Hello Cyril,
I’ve submitted my documents along with my application of request to change my name. However, I just received my documents with no explanation as to if my name was changed or if it was not…. saying all of that to ask, did you get your new SS card yet?
Mark T.
Hi Angie – Did you get your new SS card? I’m still waiting. I received my document within a week afyer 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…
V.V.
Hi Mark, thanks for using our blog. If you want to check on the status of your Social Security card application, 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.
Latisha H.
I went to the local office and left my application, my identification, an application for my children and a child’s identification on 5/14/21. All of the original applications were returned as well as a letter requesting more information. However, I did not receive the return of the identifications. I called the local number and they told me they never return the identifications, only the application. Now I am waiting for a face-to-face appointment, because who wants to drop off the information again. I am currently awaiting for a return call from the local office manager to get an appointment. It may take a while or for a very long time. My other concern is why are they sending or returning your application with your social security number on it via mail. This is a security issue. My identity was taken and we all aware of some people experiencing mail being taken.
A.C.
Hi, Latisha. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Please continue to work with your local Social Security office. 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.
Marion(Crance)Cromer
I recently tried to change my name due to marriage, I spoke to an agent by phone who instructed me to send in the application and my marriage certificate by mail. I was also told I did not need to send any other forms of ID. I asked so that means I can go ahead and have my license changed to reflect my married last name and was told that wouldn’t effect my ss card replacement, only after 3 weeks of waiting to receive my new ss card I receive back the application, denied, and my marriage certificate with requests for proof of identity, something I had changed already which in turns causes the previous id to become invalid, now I have nothing to send to prove identity, I need my name changed for work purposes and to match my legal name as on my drivers license. This has been a huge headache for me and due to closures the mailing process is rather ridiculous seeing how I had already done as instructed by your agent and was misled and then denied for the change.
A.C.
Hi, Marion. We are sorry to hear about your experience and understand your frustration. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. You can ask to speak to a supervisor 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.