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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Sandesh
When will I get my documents back for applying for replacement card. Do I wait with the social security card i.e. 2 weeks or do I get my documents back first and social security card after two weeks ?
Karissa
Hello, I received my corrected social security card after getting married. Will my marriage license be mailed back separately? I mailed it in with my application as a supporting document.
Thank you
Mitch
How long did it take to get the new card ? You should have received your supporting documents before your Social security card. I would call them
P.H.
Hi Karissa, thanks for using our blog. Yes, it will be mailed separately. For status of your documents, please call your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number. The number may appear under Show Additional Office information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this helps.
Pauline
how long does it take after sending ss-5 with secondary proof to nearby SSA building? Would i receive a confirmation letter it was received?
P.H.
Hi Pauline, thanks for using our blog. We will mail your Social Security card as soon as we have all of the necessary information. Generally, you will get your card within 10-14 business days from the date your application is processed.
To check on the status of your application, 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.
Roger R.
I’m need new social card can’t get to account or start a new one I no address to send I need a card
Sandesh
When will I get my documents back for applying for replacement card. Do I wait with the social security card i.e. 2 weeks or do I get my documents back first and social security card after two weeks ?
A.C.
Hi, Sandesh. Please contact your local Social Security office to determine the status of your documents. Thanks!
Paula A.
I just became citizen, and I would like to remove the DHS authorization under my current social security card. Could you please tell me what I need to do since the offices are close due to COVID ? Thank you
Matthew
It’s amazing how our government even functions considering how departments like SSA are barely operational with stone age ideas and complicated processes.
I need to get a replacement social security card with no changes. I called the SSA number five times a day.
Call 1: on hold 45 min and hung up
Call 2: on hold 48 min and hung you
Call 3 & 4: on hold at least 15 min each and line was disconnected both times
Call 5: I gave up after 15 min.
So I attempted to use the online services and your process dictates I can apply for a mySSA account online, wait 10 business days to receive a verification code via us snail mail, then go back online to plug in that code to verify its me, and THEN request a replacement ss card. THIS IS THE MOST ABSURD AND ARCHAIC PROCESS I’VE EVER SEEN. It’s embarrassing.
The reason for my urgent request is because I should shut up at my first day at my new job this morning and I wasn’t able to start because I didn’t have my SS card. So now the job I just spent weeks getting is now in jeopardy because I have to wait several weeks to get my ss card so I can finally start that job in if it’s still available.
As long as people wear a mask inside your offices, there’s no reason why taxpayer funded government employees can’t go to work and serve the people who pay them.
If this is the best you can do as a United States government, you might as well shut it down. Because it’s just as efficient as this.
V.V.
Hi Matthew, thank you for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to apply for a replacement 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.
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. 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.
Chris
I feel your pain… I just need a replacement card in order to renew my license. Makes no sense I cannot do this without sending my only source of identification off in the mail to a government agency that is clearly not doing their job… So when I get pulled over I won’t get a ticket cause I had to send my license in to the SS office. LOL!!!! I’ve paid taxes for 30 years… This is the best you can do?? Pitiful and embarassing.. You mandate we aquire this “real ID” to get on a plane, yet make it nearly impossible to aquire the documents to get the ID… This disenfrachises so many people and should really be a civil rights issue.
P.H.
Hi Chris, thank you for using our blog. Good news! 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!
Tamarin
If needing to send in a replacement SS card application, where should I mail it to?
V.V.
Hi Tamarin, 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 link, for a listing of secondary documentation that you can provide to get a replacement card.
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. You can find your local office mailing address using the locator as well. We hope this helps!
James S.
Where do I mail the application for replacing social security card.
P.H.
Hi James, 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!
Princell R.
Need a new social security card replacement
Cindy L.
Ye I need a New Social security card .
V.V.
Hi Cindy, 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!
Sheila
For the name change, can I submit a certified copy instead of original marriage certificate?
V.V.
Hi Sheila, thanks for using our blog. 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!
Joni
I went through a divorce and need to get my name changed back to maiden name on my social security card. Can I mail the application and info in or do I need to come in to a location? What is needed to submit with application?
Joni
Melanie
I just went through this. You can mail in your divorce decree along with the SS application for name change found online. It has to be a certified divorce decree (or judges order) with the raised seal and signature. I ordered my certified copy from the records department of the courthouse in the county I live for $10. Best to you!
V.V.
Hi Joni, 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!
Tracy L.
How do I get my name changed on my social security card? I need it changed or at least a record started for e-Verify for employment. What do I need to do?
Tracy