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. Jason B.

    This may be a simple question or maybe not. My son got his permit in Kentucky. He then went to college, still in Kentucky but in another part of the state. Since he has been in school, we have moved to Nevada. We have no contact with the old address or anyone in the town. Our son never updated his information on his permit and has since lost his ssc. When we try to replace it we are always told it will be sent our old address. How can we get it sent to use in Nevada or to him on campus where he goes to school?

  2. Mary B.

    I tried to access my account. Because my password had expired, I had to create a new one. However, I still could not gain access because ‘the password does not match’ – if I am creating a new password, what is it supposed to match?

    • R.F.

      Hello Mary. If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!

  3. Loretta P.

    I thought that I had an online account but I don’t remember username or password. the account I’m talking about would be for Loretta Pierce.

    • R.F.

      If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office.

  4. Delores

    Never can seem to help. Always problems and everyone I have spoken to in person as well as on the phone always give me different information, that is upsetting.Therefore it is very cofusing. I would like to have ONE person to assist me because everyone is NOT giving the same information. Post this.

  5. Hafeez R.

    When I applied for medicare in person at the SSA office, I was told that I will receive a new SS card with the same #. Approximately, 2 months passed and I am still waiting for the card. I sent 2 letters so far and no response. SS#***-**-3313
    Please help.

    • R.F.

      Hi Hafeez. Generally, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to receive your Medicare card after we process your application. However, Medicare is in the process of mailing new Medicare cards between April 2018 and April 2019. The Medicare program, including Medicare cards, is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
      Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
      Just a reminder – Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media channels. Thanks!

  6. Douglas J.

    73 yrs old still being stiffed by your OFFICE LOCK IN AFTERNOONS in Mankato,Minnesota
    Am told i do not ‘qualify’!
    No longer Drive so no I.D. just my VA Vet’s Medical card.

  7. Thomas C.

    From “So You’ve Lost Your Social Security Card” as shown above: “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.”

    I meet all the requirements but there is no functionality to obtain a replacement card when using mysocialsecurity.gov. I have written before and gotten two identical non-helpful responses that reiterate all the information on the website which I already had.

    Can an individual, in accordance with the information shown above on the mysocialsecurity.gov site, and in the email I received from the SSA announcing that April is Nation Social Security Month, actually apply online if they meet all the stated requirements as shown above? I’ve been to mysocialsecurity.gov and find no functionality that allows me to do so. Am I missing something or are the links broken?

    Please don’t send me two more non-responsive replies. Please answer the question I’m asking. I live in Massachusetts, a listed state. I’m a lot older than 18, a US citizen by birth, and and I have an HSA compliant Massachusetts drivers license to use as an ID.

    When I sign into mysocialsecurity.gov and go to “replacement documents” I see nothing applicable except this line: “If you are a U.S. citizen, please notify your local office.” I can’t do that online and it directly contradicts what’s written above and appears in the two other areas mentioned above. Is the information here at accurate or not? If it’s accurate, how do I apply online? If it’s not, why are you saying it is?

    I’m sympathetic to SSA staff’s high workload and reduced funding and staffing at a time when more people need SSA assistance than ever before, but the disconnect here between the information SSA is sending out and the ability to use it on an SSA site has made more work for me and whoever has to reply. When they do, I hope they’ll answer the question, not send me more information that 1: I already have, and which 2: contradicts what’s said here.

    Thank you.

  8. Abbie H.

    For months I was getting reminders that I would be receiving a new SS card, I believe it was to have a new Medicare number, well I never received this new card. WHY?

  9. Debra S.

    I have tried to get a card online, but it won’t accept my ne address. When I call to talk to a representative they defer me to the online process or tell me I don’t need a card now days. I do need a card when applying for jobs! Hope you can help

  10. Robert A.

    In June of 2017 my wallet was stolen while I was in Madrid, Spain. In it was my social security card I know the number but do not have it on a card.

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