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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Melissa
Is there one that free all I’m finding is mail in that cast 50 or more $. Most of us need our as card to be able to get a pay check. Why is it so much when we could get it for free if we could get in to you for a replacement??????????????
Vonda
Hi Melissa, thanks for using our blog. The Social Security Administration does not charge for a replacement social security card. Some private companies not affiliated with Social Security or any other government agency charge fees for this service. However, these companies offer no advantage and you still must provide documents directly to Social Security.
Be cautious about giving your private information, especially your Social Security number, to anyone.
Be sure and stay away from unfamiliar sites and ensure that you’re at ssa.gov. We take protecting the public’s personal information very seriously. All of our online applications use an identity verification process to protect the privacy of your identity and your Social Security information.
Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on getting help with your Social Security number. We hope this helps!
Donna B.
I as card was stolen along with my state I’d card and all credentials proving my livelihood . how can I get a replacement card or something to prove who I am ? I need proof to get a replacement is and as card. Is there some kind of social security print out I can use for proof of as number ?
Vonda
Hi Donna, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on getting help with your Social Security number. If you cannot request a replacement card online, call your local office and request that we mail you an SSN printout instead of a replacement Social Security card. Unfortunately, we are unable to process replacement Social Security card requests by phone at this time.
Joe C.
Why not just open the SS offices to a limited # of people or do appointments like the DMV. This IS putting a strain on a lot of people who need this service.
Cutnetus P.
Lost my ss card need it for a new job that I’m currently on out of state. Friday I did the online account only thing with online account before you can apply for a replacement card online you have to wait for them to send you an activation code in the mail physically in 4-5 days. Well still no activation code and it’s been 4-5. Now the ssa gov tells me before I can create an account with no activation code. Will be 4/09/2021. Then I will be able to create the account and apply for the replacement card. So now I’m stick because my job won’t release my check to me due to no ss on file even though they have documentation showing I have somewhat applied for the card. How does this help us tax payers. I understand the process is to protect our identity but in some cases the ssa needs to realize you put your tax payers in very difficult situation. If I get fired from my job could I apply for unemployment benefits due to the ssa process of a replacement card.
Vonda
Hi Cutnetus, thanks for using our blog. If you cannot request a replacement card online, call your local office and request that we mail you an SSN printout instead of a replacement Social Security card. Unfortunately, we are unable to process replacement Social Security card requests by phone at this time. 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.
Kellie L.
Cutnetus you can use your birth certificate in replacement of a sscard there are three columns to choose from the first is column A which is a picture I.D like state issued or passport Column B which is your sscard or birth certificate. This is the same thing I told my son when he got hired at his job and didn’t have a sscard I told him to use his birth certificate. Then there is Column C which are other documents. One of the most common mistakes employers and the applicant/employees make is that you have to have a social security card but when they give you the required documents form along with your w4 forms by law you can use your birth certificate as a non picture identification just like you sscard which is also a non picture form of if. They are both supporting documents you can use along with you state ID or passport.
John M.
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Donna
Hello, I am curious as to the turn around rate of receiving documents back from submitting for a name change. I sent to my local office two weeks ago and nothing returned yet. (Abingdon, MD)
Vonda
Hi Donna, 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.
Donna
I have been on the phone they processed my new card I received it but have not received my documents back and the woman claimed she wasn’t at the office I sent my stuff to. This is a mess, there is NO one able to help me?
Mailyn
All of my personal documents were stolen, I don’t have anything except my birth certificate. I don’t have a bank account or a school ID. I have Medicaid as insurance. How do I get a ssc?
Vonda
Hi Mailyn, thank you for your question. First, realize you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on getting help with your Social Security number. We hope this helps!
Virginia r.
I have tried twice to get a new social security card with a name change.
I have sent in the application, a photocopy of my drivers license. A certified copy of my divorce decree.
It has been returned. I dont understand what is going on.
Vonda
Hi Virgina, thanks for using our blog. 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.
Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on getting help with your Social Security number.
If you have done all that and still have questions, 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.
Chris
for your driver’s license
You can mail SSA a “properly certified extract document”
Get 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.
Alex
I became a US Citizen in February, I want to update my SS, all the offices are closed and I do not feel comfortable sending my certificate with my ID. How else can I update my status?
Vonda
Thank you for your question, Alex, and for reading our blog. 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.
Nugie D.
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