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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Kathy M.
My college age student, who has never held a job before, has been hired and needs to provide her ss card. Problem is, mom can’t find it. I have the perforated “keep with your records” part, but have misplaced the actual card. How long does it take to replace a lost card through the mail? As she will not be able to get to an actual ss office location due to the hours of operation.
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Hello Kathy. Replacing a Social Security card for your college age student has never been easier. Please visit New Or Replacement Social Security Number And Card for a list of documents that she can use for a replacement Social Security card. If she does not have a U.S. driver’s license, state-issued identification card or a U.S. passport, then we can use other documents. The documents must be current and show her name, identifying information such as date of birth or age and preferably a recent photograph. This could be an employee identification card, school identification card, health insurance card or a U.S. military identification card. Hope this helps.
Sandy C.
As a suggestion, SSA should be able to generate a replacement card at a local office if the requester has proper documentation. This would be similar to the process at the DMV.
Dru
I am trying to get a replacement social security card and the ssa website says that I can do that online (new!) I am over 18, a US Citizen and a resident of Washington, DC. So, I created a “My Social Security” account as directed, but when I get to the replacement card page, there is no way to request the card online. Instead it tells me to contact my local office. How does one apply online? Thank You.
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Hello Dru: Sorry for the inconvenience. To apply for a replacement Social Security card online you must be a U.S. citizen, age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address and you cannot be requesting a name change or any other change to the card. In addition, you need a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card from selected states only. For a list of participating states, please visit: New Or Replacement Social Security Number And Card. If you meet the criteria and, once in your mySocialSecurity account, are still unable to request a replacement Social Security card, you will need to contact your local field office with the required evidence to file for a replacement Social Security card. Visit: Contact Social Security to locate your local office.
Hope this helps.
Dru
Kenny, thanks for getting back to me, but it really doesn’t help. The Social Security website says “NEW! – order social security replacement card online.” I meet all the requirements. But when I follow directions, there is no link to let me apply online and the Replacement Documents – SS Card says “notify local office.” The web site is sending conflicting messages. It says one can apply online, but they can’t. I was only asking because I thought that there might be a special link somewhere that I was missing. Going to the office is very inconvenient for me, but that’s what I’ll do. SSA should get the web site accurate – one way or the other. Thank you.
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Hello again. You must first obtain a my Social Security account before you can request for a replacement Social Security card online. Once logged into your account, you can then request for a replacement Social Security card online if you meet certain requirement. If you are still unable to make your request through your my Social Security account, you will need to visit your local field office with the required evidence to file for a replacement Social Security card in person.
Hope this helps.
Bruce W.
I live in Maryland and have a valid Maryland Driver’s license. I registered for a “my Social Security” account. On the “my Social Security” website under “Replacement Documents”, it says contact your local social security office. There is no way to order one online.
R.F.
Yes Bruce, if you live in the state of Maryland you can apply for a replacement Social Security card online. However, in addition to meeting all the other eligibility criteria, the information you submit must match the information we have on your SSN record. In your case, it may be best to visit the local Social Security office or card center.
If you have specific questions about your situation, please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Thanks!
tara
I am recently married and am going to the SSA office to change my name on my SS card. If I bring my original marriage certificate will the SSA office take it until everything is processed or will I be able to leave with my original documents that day and then once they process they will send me my card? Again I am going in person but just want to make sure they aren’t going to take my originals for processing after I leave the office.
Thanks!
R.F.
Congratulations Tara! We only need to verify your original marriage document. We will return the document immediately after we process your request for a name change. We may also ask for proper ID, such as a driver’s license. Thanks.
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Emma B.
So a scan of the front and back of my driver’s license won’t be accepted in NC. Does that mean I have to include the physical card in the envelope? Will they send the card back?
FJ
Having been to the SSA office here in Texas, we keep getting turned away having a certified copy of medical records. Apparently, they need to be signed and embossed with the healthcare/hospitals logo — if you talk to medical records personnel they literally NEVER do this for anyone. In addition to this, in a court of law the photocopy/ordered medical record stands up to evidenciary requirements.
Why in the world does the SSA not accept a standard medical record? In a world where medical records are handled by different companies for healthcare providers, having this signed/stamped requirement is completely out-of-line with the normal practices required by our court rooms and healthcare providers.
This is making it hell for someone who needs to order a replacement card who lost all of their identification documents in a fire.
FJ
Note: When I say photocopy, what I mean is that it is a certified copy. Nothing you get with a certified copy of a medical record is physically signed or embossed, though it contains all of the necessary information that stands up in a court of law as “evidence”.
I feel like I should just forge a signature on the damn thing and take it into the office, as nobody in the SSA office will be any wiser. That is how stupid this process is in terms of “verification”.
Tiffany
This does NOT cover every situation by far. My 15 year old son cannot get his permit/picture id without his social security card, but he can’t get a replacement social security card without a picture id! They won’t accept his school id because his date of birth is not listed on it. There is no other picture id that he has. Not sure what else to do! 🙁
R.F.
When applying for a replacement Social Security card for a U.S. born child, age 6 through 17, we can use one of these secondary evidence documents as proof of the child’s identity:
– Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or hospital) or letter providing extract data from the medical record showing, in addition to the applicant’s name, the applicant’s DOB or age
– School identity card, certified school record, transcript, or report card (must be for the current or prior year) and show, in addition to the child’s name, either a photograph of the child, the child’s DOB, or parent(s) names).
– Life insurance policy for the child showing the child’s name and the child’s age or DOB.
To be acceptable as evidence of identity, all documents must be originals or certified by the issuing agency. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. if you have additional questions.
FJ
Tiffany, welcome to our debacle. You can’t get a Texas ID without a social security card, yet you can’t seem to get a replacement social security card without a very narrow set of identification documents.
We are literally struggling, 4 times now going to the SSA office, with getting the appropriate medical records that the office will accept. Medical record personnel do not sign/stamp anything when you order legitimate copies, yet the SSA thinks this is a viable policy somehow.
Joe
Hi Ray,
Thanks for your great customer service here on behalf of the SSA!
I got a question, which I can’t find an answer for anywhere: I am an American citizen (civilian), currently still living in Germany but moving back to the States soon and am looking to replace my lost/stolen Social Security card asap. Which address do I send the SS-5 and my passport to? Can I also send it to a Consulate Office here and have them forward it via Official Business mail? Do I send it via registered mail? Should I include some kind of self-addressed, stamped international envelope (?) to protect my passport from getting lost when it’s returned? Wouldn’t like to have my passport get lost, while planning to fly back in less than two months….
Thank you!
Best,
Joe
R.F.
We are glad we can help Joe. In your case, it may be better to contact the U.S. embassy in Germany. Click here to find their contact information to include their email address; they can instruct you, which is the best way to replace your Social Security card and where to send your application. Thank you for planning ahead!
Joe
Thanks for your quick response, Ray! Already contacted them this morning…still waiting to hear back from them. You beat them by a mile regarding customer service! Albeit to be fair, I just sent them an email and didn’t use ‘social media’. 😉