COVID-19, Social Security Number and Card

Replacement or Corrected Social Security Cards during the COVID-19 Pandemic

March 23, 2021 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: February 21, 2023

A hand holding a Social Security CardSocial 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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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Buffie S.

    I sent my sons original adoption cert, new birth certificate and a copy of my DL. Documents were mailed back and then re eived a letter 2 weeks later I didnt send the supporting documents. My son needs to start college and get a job and we can not get a corrected SS Card. I am very upset and wish the offices were open.

    • D.V.

      We apologize for the delay and inconvenience you are experiencing. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please continue to work with your local office for a resolution to your situation. Look for the general inquiry telephone number using our Social Security Office Locator link. Thank you for using our blog.

  2. Racquel R.

    What if you opt for mailing instead of text and put an old address instead of the new address to get an activation code. How can they delete the old account and open a new account? I’m asking for my Son…

  3. Regina E.

    I planned on changing my name so I recently mailed the form and docents needed, but now I no longer want to and wish to withdraw that request. What can I do now to stop that change?

    • V.V.

      Hi Regina, 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.

    • Meaghan

      According to RM 10210.420 a secondary proof can be a marriage document. Is this an acceptable form of ID a name change because of marriage? I am not willing to send in my ID card and have no other form of secondary listed above.

  4. Ashley S.

    I was told yesterday to fill out the form and provide my marriage license via drop box. My location does not have a drop box and states it to be mailed but I need the proper address that I can mail it to certified.
    Name change due to marriage

    • D.V.

      Hello Ashley, and congratulations on your marriage. Please look for your local office address at the Social Security Office Locator. 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), and another identity document with your new name. We prefer a government issued document with your picture, as proof of identity. Any document you submit, must be an original or certified copy, current (not expired) and show your name, and other identifying information (date of birth or age). Check out our Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security card web page for more details. We hope this helps!

  5. Charlotte

    The hospital made a typographical error on my 2 month old baby’s birth record and now her SSN card has her first name spelled wrong. I now have a corrected birth certificate that includes a comment saying what the error was and that it was corrected. If I send the corrected birth certificate and an application for a replacement card would that be sufficient for her to get a corrected SSN card? Thanks!

    • D.V.

      Hello Charlotte. Thank you for following our blog. In order to correct the name on your daughter’s Social Security card, you will need to send documents proving your identity, her identity and citizenship status, and evidence of your relationship to, or responsibility for her. You can use the birth certificate to prove her name was corrected, however, you cannot use it as proof of identity. Check out our Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security card web page for more details. Please call your local Social Security office if you have additional questions. 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. We hope this helps.

  6. Shelly

    How do I know what office to mail my documents to so they aren’t sitting or lost?

    • V.V.

      Hi Shelly, thanks for using our blog. Use our Social Security Office Locator to obtain the mailing address for your local office. We hope this is helpful!

  7. Christopher T.

    I sent in my drivers license over 2 weeks ago here in Phoenix az when can I expect to get my ID and social back

    • V.V.

      Hi Christopher, thanks for using our blog. Please contact 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.

  8. Victoria W.

    When are the Social Security offices opening back up? Now that there is a vaccine and the spread of COVID-19 is declining? People are losing their information by mailing in original documents to closed social security offices.

    • Amy

      I couldn’t agree more

      I mailed my documents March 2020 and still waiting for a response

  9. William W.

    Do I do the same to update US Citizenship status? I have been unable to find a procedure for updating SSA when going from Permanent Resident to US Citizen.

    • V.V.

      Hi William. Congratulations on becoming a U.S. citizen. You cannot update citizenship status with Social Security online. You will need to update your Social Security record by showing us your Certificate of Naturalization and completing an application for a corrected Social Security card. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page. If you believe you qualify for an in-office appointment, call your local office. You’ll find the contact information using our online Social Security Office Locator.

      • Tom T.

        At my local SSA place in McKinney, TX it has a dropbox inside the main door. I did send in my original Cert. of Citizenship with new first name change on it along w/ a court approved form for name change (form N-3362???), copy of driver license, copy of current SS card, and stamped return envelope…now hoping the first two orig documents would be return to me safely and correctly …

        • D.V.

          Hello Tom. Thank you for following our blog. After we receive your application and verify your documents, you should receive your Social Security card by mail. We will also return all the original documents you provided. To follow up on your application for a Social Security number card, please 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.

  10. Dana C.

    I do not have any secondary proofs that show the necessary information and do not feel comfortable mailing my drivers license. What options do I have?

    • Crystal D.

      I would like an answer to this too. Turn around time is around 30 days. We can’t be driving without licenses. There needs to be a portal to scan these documents or something. This is 2021. either open the offices or add technology.

      • MATNEY S.

        did anyone ever find an answer to this?

      • V.V.

        Hi Crystal, 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!

        • Annie R.

          So if I give in my marriage certificate & birth certificate .. is my Baptismal certificate also accepted? I don’t have any other ID’s that show my DOB.

          • V.V.

            Hi Annie, thanks for using our blog. The documentation requirements vary depending on the type of card you’re applying for. Check out our Social Security Number and Card web page for details on how to get a new, replacement or 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.

      • What t.

        This is a joke – the offices need to be re-opened immediately (preferably by appointment ONLY!!! )- some people do not have the “secondary” documents, mostly because YOU NEED A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD TO OBTAIN THEM!!! It’s CRAZY a government agency would ask people to send in their drivers licenses when driving without a license is ILLEGAL. Again, this is a JOKE

        • Jess

          I agree with you. I am a Permanent Resident and by law I have to carry my resident card with me at all times. I do not feel comfortable mailing my documents and taking the risk of being deported! SS offices need to reopen and provide in person appointments!

          • V.V.

            Hi Jess, thanks for reaching out. You may want to contact your local office as they can provide guidance on the appropriate service channels available to you 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.

    • Chris

      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.

Comments are closed.