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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: COVID-19, Social Security card
See CommentsAbout the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Comments
Comments are closed.
...
To get a SS card replacement can I just mail my health insurance card along with the application?
P.H.
Hi. Thank you for 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. You can also visit our Learn What Documents you Needfor details on documentation requirements. We hope this helps.
Cecilia D.
I still haven’t received my passport back! What’s going on here?
P.H.
Hi Cecilia. Please call your local Social Security office for status on your documents. 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.
Kelsey Y.
Hello,
Thanks for answering questions here! I mailed in an application, my passport, and my marriage certificate. I received my passport and marriage certificate back, but no new SS card nor any documentation verifying a name change. Can I expect the card to arrive later? Were the documents mailed back because they were insufficient to prove identity? How can I know that my name has been changed?
Thank you!
P.H.
Hi Kelsey, thanks for using our blog. Typically, after we receive the application and verify the documents, you can expect to receive the card in the mail within 10 – 14 business days. If you would like to check on the status of your card, 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.
Allysa T.
I applied my replacement last june 14 and sent my passport as proof of identity. I recieved my card last june 26 and up until now, I haven’t recieve any if my documents back. What should I do
P.H.
Hi Allysa. Please call your local Social Security office for status on your documents. 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.
Angela
I placed my documents in local office drop box for a replacement card. I received back the documents and the application with nothing else or explanation about two weeks later? What does this mean? Thanks for your assistance.
P.H.
Hi Angela, thanks for using our blog. Typically, after we receive the application and verify the documents, you can expect to receive the card in the mail within 10 – 14 business days. For status of your 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.
Cindy
I need to get a replacement card for my 17 year old. All I have is birth certificate his school ID is over a year old. I call my local office and was told print the form and mail in proof, the lady hung up before I could tell her my issue. So what do I do? Print the form, fill it out and ,ail it in and hope for the best?
V.V.
Thank you for using our blog, Cindy. Your child’s birth certificate cannot be used as proof of identity. 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.
You may want to call your local office for guidance on the appropriate service channels available for submitting evidence. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address.
Catherine S.
What do,I do if I sent all information they say is proof but it keeps rejected
V.V.
Hi Catherine, 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. You can also visit our Learn What Documents You Need for details on the documentation requirements. We hope this helps!
Steve K.
I have sent in two applications for a new
Social Security Card and haven’t heard one word as yo the status and it has been over six months on either application, this is a typical Government program “that doesn’t do their job”
Steve Ketelsen
Ankeny,IA 50023
V.V.
Hi Steve, thanks for using our blog. For status of your 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.
Samantha F.
I mailed in my application, passport, and marriage certificate to get my name changed. I got back my passport and marriage certificate. I need to mail my spouse my social security card for the military and was not sure how much longer until I get my new card?
V.V.
Hi Samantha, thanks for using our blog. Generally, you will get your card within 10-14 business days from the date your application is processed. We hope this helps!
Joey G.
What am I supposed to do for proof of identity? None of my documents listed under secondary forms include my date of birth or age. Only my driver’s license has this information. Obviously I cannot mail in my original driver’s license, and I don’t think Wisconsin legally allows duplicate licenses (terms of getting a new license includes destroying the old one if found). I understand not being able to have in-person appointments during a pandemic, but I don’t seem to have any options for updating my SSC
V.V.
Hi Joey, thanks for using our blog. 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.
Olivia
THIS LINK HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR MONTHS. The office locator page has been unavailable for months.
V.V.
Hi Olivia, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry that you are having difficulty accessing our website, specifically the office locator. That link appears to be up and running. If you continue to have difficulties, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or 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.
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.