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. irving s.

    i have not received my new ss card. i live in new york state

    • V.V.

      Hi Irving. If you’re referring to the new Medicare cards, Medicare has finished mailing them out. If you haven’t received yours, you may need to update your address. You can do both – change your address and request a replacement Medicare card – in your personal my Social Security account.

      If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem, 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.

      Go to http://www.medicare.gov/newcard for additional details for those that haven’t received their card.

      If you’re referring to a replacement Social Security card, it typically takes about 10-14 business days for the card to arrive in the mail. Unfortunately, if you have not received the card by then, you will need to go back into the office where you filed your application. When you go, take the documents you originally presented as evidence.

  2. Brandon O.

    I have entered my information multiple times, only to receive notification that my information is incorrect. I am positive that my information was entered correctly. This is extremely frustrating, and it honestly leaves me baffled as to how such mishaps exist, given the fact that it concerns an issue as significant as your Social Security. I sincerely hope that our government places the necessary time and energy when handling such important matters, but as of now, I must admit that this incident leads me to question that assumption. I hope to hear back from someone promptly, and I appreciate your time.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Brandon. We are sorry to hear you had difficulty with your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this is resolved soon.

  3. Catriona A.

    a replacement soc. soc card is NO GOOD when someone on the street may have it….it is my tax return that I lost outdoors on a street somewhere, and so I don’t want someone using that information defraud me or say they are me to you Soc Sec people…what on earth am I supposed to do????? Your WEB site stinks, you cannot get anything done on it.

  4. eugene m.

    my wife received her new card in december ’19
    i still have not received mine please send one

  5. Rachelle H.

    my brother tried to get a replacement card but was refused because he lost his card more than 11 times so how can he get a card for work

    • A.C.

      Hi, Rachelle. We are sorry to hear about your brother’s situation. He can submit a letter from an employer indicating that he must present his Social Security card to receive employment to his local office for consideration. We hope this helps.

  6. John t.

    If the ssi card has been replaced will the old one tell you about any info on the card

    • V.V.

      Hi John. Thank you for using our blog to ask your question. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent new Medicare cards with new Medicare numbers. Instead of your Social Security Number (SSN), your new Medicare card contains a new number unique to you. This will help to protect you against identity theft and protect Medicare from fraud. Medicare automatically sent the new cards to the address that Social Security has on file. For more details, visit http://www.medicare.gov/newcard.

  7. ANNA M.

    You have the incorrect address on file which I find that stupid as you mailed me a new social security card however you passed the incorrect address to MEDICARE THERE FORE I DID NOT RECEIVE MY NEW MEDICARE CARD!!! MY CORRECT ADDRESS IS 1604 EVELYN AVENUE CHAPEL HILL TN. MEDICARE SAYS YOU SENT THEM 1644!!! YOU ALSO ERRONEOUSLY CANCELED MY NIECES PART B MEDICARE .AND DOCTORS ARE NOT GETTING PAID A YEAR HAS GONE BY AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET WE PAID YOU FOR THE PART B.ANOTHER ERROR ON YOUR PART. WHAT GIVES.THEN WHEN I CALL TO HAVE MY ADDRESS UPDATED.. YOUR TOO BUSY , TOLD TO CALL BACK AT ANOTHER TIME.. WHAT KIND OF SERVICE IS THAT!!!!!

    • V.V.

      Hi Anna. We are sorry to hear that you are having difficulties working with Social Security. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot assist you.

      You may want to call or visit your local office or you can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  8. John D.

    I have received several calls lately from somebody claiming to be SSA. Checked the number and it is a cellphone. I’m thinking it is a scam. The shady number calling me was 1-410-696-4910. Thanks, John

  9. Kirk W.

    I have completed my application to replace my lost Social Security card and have the necessary form of identification. I intend to take it to the local SS office. Do I need to make an appointment? Or can I just show up and wait my turn? Thank you.

  10. Shawn A.

    I need to report a lost or stolen Direct Deposit Debit Card, Nedd to get a new one, please?

Comments are closed.