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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Ashley A.
I’ve lost my social security card. (Both original with maiden name and married name) And I never got my name from my ID or license switched to my new last name. I have my ID with my maiden name still, can I still use that to get a replacement social security card or what do I need? I have my birth certificate and mairrage certificate.
A.C.
Thanks for your questions. First, realize you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. In order to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a document that proves your legal name change. You can show whichever name you would like on your social security card, as long as you have evidence of your legal name change by showing us documentation of your old and new names. If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records, you must show us an identity document in your old name (as shown in our records). 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). 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. Remember that we also offer the option to mail your completed application with original or certified documents to your local card center or Social Security office. We hope this helps!
Barry
Hi do I need to make an appointment to apply for a replacement SS card? I have the application filled out with my drivers license . Florida is not one of the states to be able to apply online, so I have to visit my local SS Office.
Thank you.
A.C.
Hi Barry. First, realize you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. However, if you must get a replacement card, you can bring original documents into your local Social Security office or nearest card center. Most offices do offer walk-in appointments however, these appointments are on a first come, first serve basis. We also offer the option to mail your completed application with original or certified documents. Please do not mail in your driver’s license, there are other documents we can use. We hope this helps!
Maria
I lost my social security card I’m 19 years if i get a replacement card what happens to the other one if someone finds and they start using it like stealing your identity? Would I get in problems of what that person is using it for ? Would my new card have my same number?
R.F.
Hi, Maria. First, realize that you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. If you need to apply for a replacement card visit our “New or Replacement Social Security Number and Card” web page. Your Social Security number will remain the same. There are only a few circumstances in which we would assign a different Social Security number. If you suspect that someone is using your Social Security number, go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). You may also find it useful to read our publication: Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number.
Ann
My elderly mother-in-law let her driver’s licence expire, and her passport. We can’t find her social security card, probably issued about 1941. We can’t get a non-driver photo ID without the social security card, and we can’t get a social security card without unexpired documents. We are caught in a circular trap. What can we do? She really should have a photo ID. (At 96, she is not a student or an employee either.)
R.F.
Yes, 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 be able to use other documents. In your mother in law’s case, we may be able to use her health insurance card or medical records. Any documents she submits, must be an original or certified copy, current (not expired) and show her name, and other identifying information (date of birth or age).
Also, realize that she may not need a replacement card. Knowing her Social Security number is what is important. To learn more on the process, please visit our “New or Replacement Social Security Number and Card” web page. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our representatives, ask for more guidance on what other documents we could use. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. We hope this helps!
Tony
I just realized today that my social security card was missing as I was doing final paper work for a job that I desperately need. I did not even know my card was missing until they wanted to make a copy of it. I’ve lost my Social Security card one other time in my entire life and there was a local office where I was living. Now, I’m about 30 miles away from the closest office and it closed today at 12 noon! (Are y’all hiring?) I got online and read that if you meet the requirements you can get a replacement card online because the SSA is “GOING GREEN”. The requirements are that you live in a certain handfull of states that allow this. My state’s not one of them. If you don’t live in one of the select few states that does this you have to get the form online and mail it in with you actual State issued DRIVERS LICENSE or ID. While they will not come right out and say this, it’s the only “document” that meets all of their identification requirements. Oh, they’ll send it back but it’s illegal in Texas to operate a motor vehicle without your drivers license on your person. Basically you have to go, in person, to a local office and or live in one of the privledged states that has made the list. It’s simply not practicle to mail off your drivers license (that is your best form of ID) somewhere for a week or so just to get a document that is worthless as a form of ID. If your drivers license gets lost, it’s NOT free to replace. There has got to be an easier way to get this done. I’m going to probably end up loosing this job becaue of this process.
R.F.
Hi Tony! Yes, we prefer a government issued document with your picture, as proof of identity to replace your Social Security card. You do not have to mail in your driver’s license. We may be able to use other documents such as:
•Employee identification card;
•School identification card;
•Health insurance card/Medical records 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). Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and one of our representatives can provide other alternatives for you to complete the process by mail. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. We hope this information helps.
Laura
If I lost my Social Security Card in the past, and I reported it lost/stolen with my local Social Security Office. Is there any way they can provide me with verification of the date when I filed a lost/stolen SSN card?
Jabari W.
Hi,
I have been struggling for a year trying to get a replacement social security card. I can’t provide any government issued photo ID ( expired state ID). I am however able to provide my health insurance card/medicaid card. Yet both was still turned down and I was told they don’t accept medicaid cards but this site says you do. If I can’t use that to get a replacement then I won’t have any other way to get a replacement card. I have been at home taking care of my disabled father since 2010 and have no other way to prove my identity. HELP.
R.F.
Hi Jabari. Yes, 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 be able to use other documents such as:
•Employee identification card;
•School identification card;
•Health insurance card/medical records; 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). Also, realize that you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. 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. If you have specific questions, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and speak with one of our representatives. Thanks.
Jabari W.
I appreciate the timely reply, but my question still stands: What do I do when they’ve rejected all my documents? I need that card to get a job.
Jabari W.
To add to my previous reply: My medicaid card has my date of birth, address and name, but they still denied it.
Maryann
I was able to order mine with a high school transcript that showed legal name, DoB and place of birth, that had the school’s embossed seal, and was signed, and a Birth certificate. I dont know if you might be able to get either of those, but contact your High school, and they might be able to pull that record. I live in MN, so it might be different for your state. I had NOTHING with a photo. As far as contacting the school, a well phrased letter/email stating why you need the transcript (for getting ID documents) and they may even send you an extra, at no charge at all.
Jonesy
The only documents I have to prove who I am is my birth certificate and tax return forms (w-2 ??). Will the Social Security Office accept those documents as proof? I do not have ANY photo ID. Both my social and photo ID were lost at the same time. Which one should I go about getting first?
R.F.
Hi Jonesy, 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 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).
Also, realize that you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. 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. We hope this helps!
Mildred
I recently lost my SS card AND my photo ID. My job never gave us formal employee ID cards but I do have a document containing both my employee ID number and SSN and address (w-2 form I think). Can that serve to prove my identification? Will the Social Security Office accept this document?
R.F.
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. Thanks.
Royce C.
My roommate supposedly misplace my birth certificate and SSN i think he stole it and for some reason moved to another state. my questionis , Is it possible for a person get a ID or driver’s licenses with my information at another state?
R.F.
Hi Royce. Generally, identity theft issues are handled by the Federal Trade Commission. You can find more information on their website: http://www.idtheft.gov or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). To learn more about the steps individuals can take to prevent or resolve issues of identity theft, read our publication: “Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number”. We hope this helps.