So You’ve Lost Your Social Security Card
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
Losing important documents is frustrating, especially something as important as your Social Security card.
You’ll want to consider whether you really need to get a replacement card. Knowing your number is what’s important, after all. You’ll rarely need the card itself — perhaps only when you get a new job and have to show it to your employer. If you really must replace your card, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber before visiting your local Social Security office.
The first step is to learn what documents you need. You’ll need to show us a U.S. driver’s license, a state issued non-driver identification card, or a U.S. passport to prove your identity. Sometimes you may also need to prove your current U.S. citizenship or lawful noncitizen status with a birth certificate or passport.
Keep in mind that all documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We can’t accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We also can’t accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
Once you’re clear on what documents you’ll need, the second step is to print the Application for a Social Security Card, so you can fill it out. Finally, the third step is to bring or mail your application and original documents to us, and the online process will take you to a screen where you can find the address of your local office.
In some areas, you can request a replacement Social Security card using your online my Social Security account if you meet certain requirements. Simply access your account and follow the instructions to replace your Social Security card. It’s safe, convenient and secure.
You can replace your Social Security card for free if it’s lost or stolen. Avoid service providers wanting to charge you a fee to get your replacement card. Keep in mind that you’re limited to three replacement cards in a year, and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions don’t count toward these limits. Changes in immigration status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also, you aren’t affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.
We’ll mail your card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents. Your replacement card will have the same name and number as your previous card.
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Tags: Social Security benefits, Social Security card, SSN
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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Haley d.
Hi. My name’s haley I’m 18 I live in Cincinnati ohio I’ve been trying to get my state I’D for almost a year. I dont have my social security card. So I nee to use alternatives. I’ve tried medical records stuff from job and family services. Everything I can an I’m running out of options. The BMV won’t take any of it. I need help. I have my birth certificate. We’ve tried gettin My social but I can’t do so with out my ID. Please. I need help. I’m running out of patients.
J.Y.
Haley, we can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your: U.S. driver’s license, State-issued non-driver identification card, or U.S. passport.
If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, we will ask to see other documents. Any documents submitted, including the following, must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph: Employee identification card, School identification card, Health insurance card (not a Medicare card), or U.S. military identification card. We hope this helps. Good luck!
Jana
If I have my husbands id and the filled outa d signed ss-5 application, can I take it to a social security office and request a new card?
A.C.
Hello, Jana. Thanks for your question. He may not need a replacement card. He will rarely need to show it. Knowing his Social Security number is what is important. However, if he must get a replacement card, he may be able to apply for a replacement card online if he lives in one of states listed on our “New or Replacement Social Security Number and Card” web page. If he cannot apply for a card online, he will need to provide the required documents. We need to see different documents depending on his citizenship and the type of card he is requesting. See Learn What Documents You Need to find out what documents you will have to show. Take or mail his application and documents to your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Susan
I was wondering if someone can help me! Long story short, I have an 18 year old who was adopted and the adopter has lost ALL her paperwork including Social Security Card and birth certificate. She has no idea what the number is and no one will help us. One state, Nebraska says we can’t eat a state i.d. until she has her SSN and the state she was born in, Missouri says we can’t get her SSN without the state i.d. PLEASE help us. She wants to get on with her life, but no one will help. I feel so bad for her.
April
Hi,
I went to a local office and applied for a replacement card (name change) back on December 12, 2016. I still haven’t received it. I contacted the office and said that it was mailed to the address on my receipt. Should I be worried? How do I proceed? Can I go back to the SS office and obtain a print of the card?
A.C.
Hi, April. Thank you for your questions. If you do not receive your Social Security card within three weeks from the date of your application, it’s best that you visit your local Social Security office. You’ll need to bring all of the original documents that you provided when you applied for the replacement card before. We cannot give you the Social Security number over the phone nor do we provide a card on site. We hope this helps!
Jesica
Hi, (update)
If I apply by mail for a replacement card (I don’t qualify to apply online), do I have to send my actual driver’s license? If so, will the social security office send my license back with my replacement SS card? My driver’s license is the only document that I have that shows the same name listed on my SS card. I can’t change the other documents (employee docs, school Id, Medical insurance docs) until I receive a copy of my SS card with my married name on it. I never received a copy of it after I applied for it at the office.
Jesica
Hi,
If I apply by mail for a replacement card (I don’t qualify to apply online), do I have to send my actual driver’s license? If so, will the social security office send my license back with my replacement SS card?
Jessica
Do I have to go to a social security office in my state to apply for a replacement card, or can I go to a closer office in another state? I live right on the border of NC and SC, and the SC office is much closer.
Thank you.
R.F.
Hi Jessica, you can visit the nearest card center or Social Security office in your area to apply for a replacement Social Security card. To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card, please visit our “New or Replacement Social Security Number and Card” web page.
Jessica
I’ve moved to florida from PA. I applied for a replacement card so I can get my license here in my current state , it’s required for proof of id.. I received a email stating its Been processed and should receive in 10 days, I know with the holidays things may have Been pushed back, but it’s been 4 weeks and I have no form of Indentification now.. Does it usually take this long? What can I do, please advise!
R.F.
Hi Jessica. Typically, after we process your application, you should receive your Social Security card by mail within 2 weeks. To follow up on your application for a Social Security replacement card, you may have to contact the office where you filed your application. On your receipt there should be a local phone number for you to call and speak to someone about the status of your card. You can also call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to assist you. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day or later in the week. Thanks.
Juan C.
Hi, Excellent blog! my sister lost her ss card long time ago. She is not a US citizen but needs to know what she has to do to replace it. She does not remember her ss number either and she is abroad. What does she need to do? Any help that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Best regards!
Juan Carlos
Juan Carlos
R.F.
Thank you Juan Carlos. For any assistance related to Social Security programs and services, your sister should contact the local U.S. embassy or consulate. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps.
Heather D.
Hi, great blog and lots of informative responses to the comments! My question is regarding the time to receive the replacement. Online it states ten business days to be mailed. If I went to the local office, would I get it today, or does the same ten business day standard apply?
Thank you in advance!
Heather
A.C.
Hi, Heather. Thanks for your question. Typically, after we receive your application and verify your documents, you should receive your Social Security card by mail within 10 business days. We do not produce any cards on site. We hope this helps.