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. JJ. T.

    How to get a replacement card for a minor child

  2. Tara R.

    I need a replacement card but have no I’d cause of moving I had a card in my married name but that has disappeared all the things I have are in my maiden name what can I do

    • V.V.

      Hi Tara, 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!

  3. Michael R.

    I was homeless for over 10yrs.. I was robbed at gunpoint several times..they took all my documentation. I have an I.D. card. I need a replacement card.

    • V.V.

      Hi Michael, thank you for using our blog. 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!

  4. Ms.Jammie P.

    I need a replacement ss card. never got a card with my married name. But I am now divorced but I been using my married name since I been married but ss card has my maiden name. I need my ss card to say my married name for business reasons.

    • V.V.

      Hi Jammie, thank you for your question. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for 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 hope this helps!

  5. Melisa S.

    I need a replacement card

    • V.V.

      Hi Melisa, 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!

  6. Brandon T.

    I’m in need of a replacement social security card .but however I’ve not been able to do so. I don’t have my ID, because you need a social to get a new ID. Is there any other way or documents to get my social. it’s just going on entirely too long . I’ve been offered a job ,but they need a copy of my social and a ID. I’ve submitted a letter from the doctor with the doctor’s letterhead and they still denied me. And this is a document that they said i could use.

    • V.V.

      Hi Brandon, thank you for using our blog. 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. However, if you must get a replacement card, you may be able to apply online. 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.

  7. Tina L.

    I need another social security card and I need my husband to help me out with everything. Do you charge for a social security card? I desperately need 1.

  8. Tina L.

    I am bedridden and immobile and can’t move properly at all and need another social security card. How much does it cost and how do I get my social security card as I have to have my husband get it for me as I’m bedridden and immobile and can’t move at all right now and I have a a disorder that is literally eating me alive

    • Tina L.

      I need another social security card please

  9. Tina L.

    I need another social security card but I am bedridden and immobile and can’t move properly at all and very very very limited as to far I can travel due to my disabilities.

    • V.V.

      Hi Tina, 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!

  10. CINDY H.

    I need to change my social security card number please tell me EVERYTHING I NEED TO DO AND HAVE, THANK YOU

    • Kawanda r.

      Turnerk335@gmail.com

      • Michael W.

        Yes I lost my social security card so I need a replacement

        • Andre R.

          Need a replacement

          • V.V.

            Hi Andre, 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!

Comments are closed.