How to Replace a Social Security Card

Social Security

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By Guy Lelouch

Published on Dec 28, 2022

Edited by Daniel Zeevi

Akin to your birth certificate, your social security card is one of those documents that’s technically essential, but often goes unused for months, even years, at a time. So, when it’s finally required—whether it’s to apply for a mortgage or a new job—the dreaded statement can cause groans and headaches: “I lost my social security number card.”

Whether it’s been stolen or has simply disappeared into the void of papers and keepsakes, knowing how to replace social security number cards is essential.

There are many ways to go about this process—you can request a free replacement from the Social Security Administration (SSA), online on the SSA website or by appointment at a local office [1], or you can get help from GOV+ preparing your social security card application online.

Let’s discuss the process in detail.

Note: GOV+ is a private company and is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or any other government agency. GOV+ charges for its own service, which is preparing your Form SS-5 and telling you which documents to bring. The SSA reviews your application and issues your card.

Step 1: Gather the necessary documentation

For a replacement card, you need one document proving your identity, plus proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status if you were born outside the U.S. [2]:

Proof of citizenship (only if you were born outside the U.S.) – This means a U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth, Certificate of Citizenship, or Certificate of Naturalization.
Proof of age (needed for an original card, not a replacement) – While your birth certificate is the common route for verification here, a religious record showing your date of birth (and made before your fifth birthday) will also suffice. So too will a U.S. hospital record of your birth.
Proof of identity – Include your U.S. driver's license, a state-issued ID card, or your U.S. passport. If you don't have one of those, the SSA may accept an employee ID card or U.S. military ID card.

Note: Just as you wouldn’t trek to the National Archives to view a phony Declaration of Independence, so too will the SSA be dissatisfied with photocopies and printed screenshots of your documents. In other words: Only original documents (or copies certified by the agency that issued them) will suffice [2].

Expired documents will not be accepted, either.

Step 2: Apply online to skip the line

Next, submit your replacement request. You have three ways to do it:

Start online with the SSA. Begin your request on the Social Security Administration website. Depending on your situation, you may be able to complete the entire replacement online [1].
Fill out Form SS-5 yourself. Print and complete Form SS-5, the Application for a Social Security Card, then submit it to the SSA along with your original documents [2].
Get help from a paid filing service. GOV+ pre-fills your SS-5 for you. You sign it and mail it to the SSA with your original documents.

(Optional) Step 3: Visit a nearby office

If you can’t finish your request online, you can visit a Social Security office instead. Use the SSA’s office locator to find the location closest to you, and make an appointment before you go, since in-person help requires one [1]. Keep in mind that the office cannot print a replacement card on the spot, so your new card will still arrive by mail [1].

Stolen card? Look for signs of identity theft

A stolen social security card or a conspicuous SSN-sized gap in your personal records can leave you vulnerable to identity theft or fraud. Once you’ve obtained your replacement card, protect yourself by storing it in a safe place at home or in a bank. Don’t carry it in your wallet or purse—you won’t need it for usual business transactions and identity checks [3].

Learn to recognize the warning signs of identity theft, too. These include:

Unexplained withdrawals from your bank account or credit card
Unexplained medical bills
Debt collector calls about items you didn’t buy

You can also maintain vigilance by running regular credit reports, which will turn up indications of fraud. If you think your number was stolen, the SSA says to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov.

Save time and headache with GOV+

The Social Security Administration replaces cards at no charge, through a my Social Security account or with Form SS-5 and your original documents. If you’d rather not work through Form SS-5 alone, GOV+ fills it in for you and lists the documents to bring, so you’re less likely to need a second trip.

If you need to replace your Social Security card, here's how GOV+ can help:

We prepare your Form SS-5 kit, so you don't have to work through the form on your own.
Your answers fill in the right fields on Form SS-5, which lowers the chance of mistakes on the form.
We tell you which identity, age, and citizenship documents SSA asks for in your situation.

Ready to get started? Replace your Social Security card with GOV+.

Social Security Card Replacement FAQ’s

Still have Qs? We’re here with the As.

Is it possible to replace a social security card the same day you lost it?

No. The SSA says your local Social Security office cannot print a replacement card for you; the card is mailed after the SSA completes your request [1]. If you know your number, you may not need the card right away: the SSA says that in most cases, a physical card isn't necessary [1].

You can also apply for a card online and save a trip to the local social security office. The SSA says starting online is the fastest way to get a replacement, and the card arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days after your request is completed [1].

What should I do if I can’t apply online?

If you can’t apply for a replacement social security card online, you’ll need to make an appointment at a local SSA office [1]. Alternatively, get help preparing a mail-in application with GOV+’s SSN solutions.

What are my next steps when my social security card is stolen?

If your lost Social Security card has been stolen, do a quick scan for identity theft by visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov, where you can report identity theft and get a recovery plan [3][4].

How can I obtain a social security card replacement for a child?

Replacing a Social Security card for a minor works almost the same way as replacing an adult’s. The main difference is that you’ll provide documents for both the child and yourself [5].

For the child, you’ll need:

Proof of identity. A birth certificate does not count as the child’s proof of identity.
Proof of U.S. citizenship, only if the child’s citizenship is not already on record with the SSA.
Proof of lawful immigration status, if the child is not a U.S. citizen.

For yourself, you’ll need:

Proof of your own identity.
Proof of your custody of or relationship to the child.

Replace Your Social Security Card