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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Andrea
Today I called 1-800-772-1213. I am recently divorced and a single parent. I am also an unemployed full time student. I am trying to get my last name updated. I can not afford to pay to mail in the certified documents, and I’m also scared the documents will get lost in the mail or at the SSA and then I won’t be able to afford to replace my certified divorce decree documents or ID. When I called 1-800-772-1213 the representative was extremely rude and hung up on me. Please help a struggling single parent and student get an inperson appointment. I dont have time or money to pay to mail in the required documents.
V.V.
Hi Andrea, 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.
You can also call your local Social Security office for guidance on the appropriate service channels for submitting evidence. 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.
Christina
Hi! I have been trying to call multiple SSA offices but none answer. I just recently got married and need to change my social but I’m not sure how to start the process since I don’t know if I can mail information to an office if it’s closed. I live in the 33126 area. Please help!
V.V.
Hi Christina, 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!
Echezonna O.
I applied for my daughter’s social security number by mailing a request form using a certified post office mail. Accompanying my application was her birth certificate, her passport and my passport. They returned only her birth certificate claiming not to see our passports and as a result, did not issue the social security number. The mail was a certified mail delivered by hand and received by your Chesterfield VA office undamaged. I’m a foreigner and can’t go back to my home country as a result. I have a USA visa and other countries visas on my passport as well. I’m about to have a baby and won’t be able to apply for my baby’s birth certificate and passport without my passport. It’s really frustrating especially when I call your Chesterfield VA office and the staff are rude and hang up on me. I need help in locating our passports or getting new ones as time is of the essence. I already purchased a non refundable ticket to go back to my home country for next month. Please assist me.
D.V.
We apologize for the inconvenience and we understand your frustration. We encourage you to continue working with your local office and ask to speak to a supervisor. We have referred your complaint to our Office of Operations to follow up and to take corrective action as necessary. We hope your situation is resolved soon!
E.O
I applied for my daughter’s social security number by mailing a request form using a certified post office mail. Accompanying my application was her birth certificate, her passport and my passport. They returned only her birth certificate claiming not to receive our passports and as a result did not issue the social security number. The mail was a certified mail delivered by hand and received by your office undamaged. I’m a foreigner and can’t go back to my home country as a result. I have other countries visas on my passport as well. I’m about to have a baby and won’t be able to apply for my baby’s birth certificate and passport without my passport. It’s really complicated and frustrating. I need help.
Stefanie K.
If I got divorced and then re-married, do my divorce documents need to be originals or can they be copies? I never recieved originals from the court, just a digital file from my attorney. I have my original birth certificate and also my original marriage certificate from my first marriage. Thank you in advance!
Victoria M.
I applied for social security card for my new born at the Jamaica Queens, NY location, but my mailing address is CT. They sent mw back my documents already and I’m waiting for the actual card now. However, I received a letter from SSA in CT. Is it possible that they re-routed the application because i have a letter from the SSA in CT
V.V.
Hi Victoria, 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.
D.V.
Congratulations on your newborn baby! We will send the Social Security card to the mailing address you provided on the application. To inquire on the status of the Social Security card, 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.
Helene B.
I am the victim of a scam.I need a new number.
V.V.
Hi Helene, thanks for using our blog. Generally, identity theft issues are handled by the Federal Trade Commission. Visit http://www.identitytheft.gov to report identity theft and get a recovery plan or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on what you can do if you think someone is using your Social Security number.
Shimon S.
My child went to apply for a drivers license he is 16 years old and when presented the Social Security card it was signed by his mother since when we applied for a passport the passport office said the money should sign it to make a long story short I need a new Social Security card for my 16-year-old son I’d like to try to do it online if possible or to mail it or who do I mail it to he has a passport which is current is that enough or should I also send a birth certificate please advise
V.V.
Thank you for using our blog, Shimon. 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.
Eddie L.
lost my card
Eddie L.
i need a social security card i lost mine
V.V.
Hi Eddie, 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, 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!