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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Dan B.
Would a FAA Airframe+ Powerplant license be sufficient for a replacement? KY requires a social for a new drivers license and my current DL is MN. I need all the other documents for work.
V.V.
Hi Dan, thanks 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, under the Social Security Numbers and Cards heading, for a listing of secondary documentation that you can provide to get a replacement card. We hope this helps!
Katie S.
I have been waiting five weeks now for my replacement SS card after changing my first name, and mailing in my original card and name change paperwork signed certified by the court.
I was told it would take maximum 4 weeks. I send them via FedEx because I am worried they would be lost, but am now worried they are lost anyway.
When should I expect my card, realistically?
V.V.
Hi Katie, thanks for using our blog. For status on your Social Security card application, 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.
Danielle G.
I need replacement ss card for a minors to get started on drivers education. All I have right now are the birth certificates. The school provides a basic School ID Card however the DOB is not included. Will the Temple Tx office open soon or do i mail in the form and documents?
V.V.
Thank you for using our blog, Danielle. That is not something that you can do online. 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 and your child will need to get a card, 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.
Kyle T.
I have a different mailing address than what is on my license. Will I get my replacement SS card?
V.V.
Hi Kyle, thanks for using our blog. For status of your Social Security card application, 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.
Lawrence D.
Why on earth would you NOT provide a mailing address in the discussion on mail application for replacement SS Cards?
What is the address nearest San Diego, CA to which I should send my application?
V.V.
Hi Lawrence, thanks for using our blog. To obtain the mailing address for your local Social Security office, please use our Social Security Office Locator. We hope this information helps.
Sharon b.
How do I know if my mailed in application was processed I recieved my documents back with a letter saying it takes up to four weeks does that mean it was accepted
V.V.
Hi Sharon, thanks for using our blog. For 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.
Mira W.
Can I use my Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA as a proof of identity, as it has personally identifying information on it?
V.V.
Hi Mira, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. 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, under the Social Security Numbers and Cards heading, for a listing of secondary documentation that you can provide to get a replacement card. We hope this helps!
Renee W.
When will the social security administration open again? I need to change my name on my social security card after my divorce. I REALLY don’t want to have to send my original passport, my original driver’s license, and the original divorce decree by the US mail….these documents have a very high probability of getting lost in the mail, and even if they don’t, I am being told that it will be AT LEAST a MONTH before I get my new card, which means everything else I need to do is on hold while my paperwork sits in a big pile on someone’s desk. I don’t understand why the social security administration can’t open back up….everyone else is, so why are these particular government workers unable to go back to work?
E S.
This exactly! I legally changed my name a year ago now, it finally passed through the courts. I cannot send in my ID, because I ONLY have a driver’s license and cannot send it in. i am vaccinated, been back to work for months, etc.
V.V.
Hi Eve, thank you for using our blog. 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 “Social Security Numbers and Cards” 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!
Alissa M.
Me too. This is beyond insane. You won’t get an answer here though. You’ll just be told to call your local office where they don’t answer anyway (I try multiple times a day for weeks now). A friend of mine did have luck reaching someone in her local office though. She was told she didn’t meet the criteria to come in and drop off her documents (also a name change after divorce). So basically, SS is just telling us all to go F ourselves. Jokes on us, we’re all back to work and they can’t even bother to answer phones that are forwarded to their homes. Our tax dollars hard at work.
Kylee C.
Seriously it is getting old to have half my stuff as my maiden name while I wait for them to open up. It makes so much so complicated. I can’t very well drive without a license for 6 weeks praying all the most important documents in my life don’t get lost in the mail! This is a joke, at least let us process it online instead of by mail. Heck, I’d be glad to drop off the envelope in person and wait outside while they processed it. There has got to be a better solution then this, it’s been 14 months for heaven’s sake! Dopl won’t change my nursing license until the SS is updated, and so my employer can’t change it. I’m applying for a refinance and half my married name, my maiden name, and a hyphenated version I had to use because my ID doesn’t match my nursing license… Not sure if I’ll get approved because it’s three different stinking names and it’s so frustrating. There have been 14 months of marriages and divorces, adoptions and other name changes. Really need an online option AT LEAST if you’re not going to open in person.
V.V.
Hi Renee, 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!
Iesha G.
Hi, I submitted my application for a name change on my Social security card almost a month ago and still haven’t received it. Does it normally take this long?
A.C.
Hi, Iesha. 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 contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Connie C.
I received my card, but not my documents back. How long does it take to have them returned to me before I should be concerned?
A.C.
Hi, Connie. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Please contact your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call. We hope this helps.
Carlos d.
I need a name change I’m a transsgender
A.C.
Hi, Carlos. In order to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a document that proves your legal name change. If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records, you must show us an identity document in your old name (as shown in our records). We offer the option for you to mail your completed application with original or certified documents to your local Social Security office. For more information about how and what to submit, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Cyril
When did you apply
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Jimothy
Similar to Connie, received new social security card a few weeks ago and still do not have my passport back. Since the blog monitors can’t provide information, what are other people seeing in turnaround time? Does the document return typically take a couple months longer than the new card, or should I be concerned? Glad I didn’t send my DL but will be travelling soon on a ticket booked with my old name and need that passport!
V.V.
Hi Jimothy, 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.