General, Online Services, Social Security Number and Card

So You’ve Lost Your Social Security Card

July 25, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

lost ss cardLosing 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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Comments

  1. Olyvia K.

    Hello, I lost my social security card just yesterday and I have to travel to another state next Friday. Does it matter if I have just a print of my card instead of my actual one, for the airport check?

  2. Sheldon

    I am 24, moved to florida from ohio about two years ago during which I had my id and social stolen…..all I currently have is my birth certificate ,pay stubs ,expired school id, and mail (bills,rental agreement papers) I for the life of me can not figure out how to approach this as I am moving in two months and will need a social/ID to work but can’t get one with out the other ? Can I request a parent in ohio to get a new one? Or is there anything I can do myself?

    • R.F.

      Hi Sheldon, applicants 18 years or older must apply and sign their own application for a replacement Social Security card. Yes, we do prefer a government issued document with your picture, as proof of identity to replace your Social Security card. If you do not have one or you cannot get one within a reasonable amount of time, we may be able to use other documents such as:
      •Employee identification card;
      •School identification card;
      •Health insurance card; or
      •U.S. military identification card.
      Any documents you submit, must be an original or certified copy, current (not expired) and show your name, and other identifying information (date of birth or age). You can take or mail the completed application and documents to your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center. 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. Or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. We hope this helps!

      • Sheldon

        I currently only have my birth certificate and a walmart badge with my nam on it no picture. only form of id I have ever had was a state id from ohio that was stolen …I have w2s and pay stubs could this help or do I have no options? Can’t get a social without an id and I can’t get an id with out a social seems like a loop….

        • David

          I am in the same boat as you, I only have a birth certificate and W2. Were you able to figure anything out?

  3. Peter Y.

    How do I go about getting a replacement Social Security Card for my 98 year old grandmother who lives in assisted living? I am the POA for her and she is unable to sign any documents.

  4. Anna

    How long does it take once i’ve submitted my social security paperwork into an office for a replacement ss card? thanks

    • A.C.

      Hi, Anna. 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. On your receipt there should be a local phone number for you to call and speak to someone about the status of your card. We hope this helps.

  5. Armend

    Is there a way to get a temporary Social security card or letter head confirming the number?

    • A.C.

      Hello, Armend. Unfortunately, because of security reasons, we cannot release the Social Security number over the phone, and there’s no way for you to track whether your Social Security number has been issued online. If you do not receive your Social Security card within three weeks from the date you applied, you may have to return to the office where you filed your application for a follow up. 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’ll need to bring all of the original documents that you provided when you applied. If your employer needs to verify a Social Security number, please refer them to our Social Security Number Verifications webpage. Thanks!

  6. Maria C.

    Hello,
    I lost my social security card while visiting Boston. I am a foreign national that got the card while working in the US on an H1 visa. Since I don’t live in the States anymore, nowadays I use it mainly for banking purposes, to open a bank account, for credit cards etc. I have a copy with the number at home but I worry that someone can use the original for fraudulent purposes. I filed a police report and informed my US bank of the fact but I don’t know what else to do, and if I should request a new one.
    I appreciate your advise.

  7. Courtney

    My son just turned one year old. When he was born the hospital gave me a paper saying they applied for his social and i will receive it in the mail.
    I never did get it. At the time, we lived at an address that had three houses on the same property and I will never know if it never came in the mail or if one of the other people took it.
    With that being said, I dont know if it would be the original i am applying for or a replacement.
    Today, I sent in the mail
    -my ID
    -A picture ID of my 1 year old
    -His birth certificates
    -An application for his social security card
    -A paper from when the hospital said they applied for his social.
    Do you think I will be able to get his social security card?
    Or will i need to go into the office? (I haven’t been able to go)
    Hes now 1 yr old and I need his social to file taxes.

    • R.F.

      If you did not received your child’s Social Security card, you probably need to apply for a replacement card. To be sure, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or visit the nearest Social Security office or card center in your area. To learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a replacement card for your son, please visit our “New or Replacement Social Security Number and Card” web page. Thanks.

  8. may

    Hi there, I have lost my ss card -where the office said it has been delivered to my house but i didn’t see it anywhere in my mailbox. It seems that i need to reapply again which is fine. However, I need the ss number first for my tax filling asap, is that possible if i can get just the ss number through the office before the replacement card being mailed?

  9. Ernesto

    I have met an old woman (way more than 65 years old) that is homeless and mentally disabled.

    Facts:
    -She is US citizen
    -She is mentally disabled
    -She does not have her Social Security Card (it was stolen years ago)
    -She does not have her ID card (it was stolen years ago)
    -She does not have her Medicaid card (it was stolen years ago)
    -She does not have any other document, nor Passport,nor birth certificate
    -She does not have any family to call
    -She has been homeless for more than 15 years since her papers were stolen
    -She was receiving SSDI benefits but not anymore since several years ago because it is on hold as her deposit card was stolen
    -She never had gone to a hospital in the state she is living now (Nevada)
    -She does not have a birth certificate
    -She is now living on the streets in Downtown Las Vegas, NV, she never had had any paper from this state before
    -She does not have any copy of her documents, she haven’t been in a shelter in this city she live now (Las Vegas, NV)

    I have questions:
    – How can she get her Social Security Card if she does not have an ID or other papers required?
    – How can she get her ID card if she does not have her Social Security card?
    – How can she get a birth certificate without as Social Security card or ID?
    – Is there a way to identify her by fingerprints or something like that?
    – What is the starting point for a situation like this?

    Please, I would like to help her in any way
    Please, all answers and suggestions are very welcome
    Thank you.

    • R.F.

      Thank you for helping out, Ernesto. In order to process a request for a replacement Social Security card, applicants must always provide a valid document as proof of his or her identity. Any documents you submit, must be an original or certified copy, current (not expired) and should provide enough information to identify you in our records (name, date of birth or age). We take protecting the public’s personal information very seriously, and must use strict identity verification procedures. We can understand how this can be frustrating for some people, especially in this case, but we hope you understand our role in protecting individuals’ personal information and preventing fraud. Considering the circumstances you’ve shared, you and your friend may want to reach out to local organizations that provide assistance to the homeless. In some States, Social Services and homeless advocacy groups, in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, can provide assistance with obtaining identity documents. If applicable, the local Social Security office can then provide assistance in trying to reinstate this person’s Social Security benefits. Thanks.

      • Ernesto

        Thank you very much for the answer.

  10. Paige

    Hi,

    I lost my State ID and Social Security Card a week ago. I need a Social Security Card to get a State I.D. so I have to have one for that purpose.

    I do not have anything with a photo I.D. like a school I.D., Employee identification card;Health insurance card; or U.S. military identification card. I go to school only online so I do not have a school I.D. I do have a birth certificate and an offical copy of my Harold Washington College transcript. Can I bring in my transcript as proof of identity?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Paige. Generally, we only use your birth certificate as a proof of birth and citizenship. We use it to establish your Social Security number. We prefer a government issued document with your picture, as proof of identity to replace your Social Security card. If you do not have one or you cannot get one within a reasonable amount of time, we may still be able to help you. In addition to your official college transcripts, you may also have to provide us with another document that shows your name, and other identifying information (date of birth or age). 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. For specific questions, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. We hope this helps!

Comments are closed.