Do Social Security Cards Expire?

What is a Social Security card? Your Social Security card is a small document that serves an important purpose. With it, you can prove your identity, manage your tax information, and obtain key government benefits.

Because it’s such an important document, many people come to wonder how long their social security card is good for.

So, do social security cards expire? Keep reading for everything you need to know.

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. 

What is a social security card?

Your Social Security card is a vital component of your personal identification documents. The card features two pieces of identifying information:

• Your full legal name (first, middle, and last)
• Your Social Security number (SSN)

Your Social Security number is a unique, nine-digit number that’s issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) [1]. Aside from assigning social security numbers, the SSA manages an array of important social services, like disbursing retirement and disability benefits to eligible Americans. 

If you were born in the United States, your parents may have applied for your SSN when they applied for your birth certificate.

In some cases, however, Social Security numbers are issued to people who were not born in the United States. For example, a person may be eligible for a social security number if they fall into one of the following two categories [2]: 

• Permanent residents – A permanent resident is a noncitizen who has been granted Lawful Permanent Resident status (a green card).
• Nonimmigrant workers– Also referred to as temporary workers, this category refers to people who enter the United States because of an employment opportunity. Their residency is granted for a limited period through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and they are issued an SSN that’s valid for work only with DHS authorization.

Here’s your Social Security number breakdown, and what they mean.

But does your SSN expire? No. Once an SSN has been issued, it’s yours for life. Even if you lose your card or if other details of your personal information change, your social security number will stay the same.

Why do you need a social security card?

Social Security numbers were introduced in 1936 as a way for the SSA to monitor the earnings of individual workers in the United States, information that was largely used to calculate Social Security benefits [3]. 

These days, your Social Security card is still linked to your financial information and your social security entitlements, but it’s come to fulfill a variety of other functions as well. For example, you’ll likely be asked to show your social security card or provide your social security number when you:

• Open a bank account or apply for a credit card
• Apply for health insurance
• Apply for a home or car loan

Due to the increased breadth of applications that SSNs are used for, it’s more important than ever to keep your social security card in a safe place with your other important papers.

When do social security cards expire?

The average U.S. citizen has more than a few personal identification documents, many of which are subject to expiration dates. For example, your driver’s license needs to be renewed every few years as determined by the laws in your state. 

But do Social Security cards expire? And if so, when do Social Security cards expire?

If you look at your card, you’ll see that there is no SSN card expiration date listed. This is because Social Security cards do not expire. Just like the 9-digit number it records, once you receive your Social Security card, it’s yours for the rest of your life.

Can you get a replacement social security card?

Although social security cards do not expire, there are a few situations when a person may need to have their card replaced. Replacements are free, but SSA generally limits you to three replacement cards a year and 10 in your lifetime, and legal name changes don’t count toward those limits [1]. You may need to obtain a replacement Social Security card if: 

• Your card is lost or stolen
• Your name changes
• Your card is damaged or worn beyond legibility
• The information on your card needs to be corrected

How do you get a replacement social security card?

Just like with new cards, replacement Social Security cards are issued by the Social Security Administration. To obtain a replacement card, you’ll first need to complete and submit an official application with the SSA [4]. Can I order a new Social Security card online? 

In most states, you can request a replacement card online through a my Social Security account on the SSA’s website [4]. If you can’t finish online, you can start the application online or fill out a paper Form SS-5, then bring it and your documents to an appointment at your local Social Security office or Card Center. The SSA does not charge for a replacement card [4]. 

For applications that are completed in person, you’ll need to present original documents (or copies certified by the issuing agency) that prove your identity and, if the SSA doesn’t already have it on record, your U.S. citizenship. Noncitizens also need proof of current immigration status. Acceptable forms of the required documentation generally include [5]: 

• U.S. birth certificate
• U.S. passport
• U.S. driver’s license or state identification card

In certain cases, alternative identification documents may be accepted. If you don’t have a U.S. driver’s license, state ID card, or U.S. passport, the SSA may accept other current documents that show your name and date of birth, such as an employee ID, school ID, health insurance card (not a Medicare card), or U.S. military ID [5].

Remember that if your social security card has been lost or stolen, you should take the appropriate steps to check for identity theft, as well as replacing your card.

Get help with your replacement request from 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+.

References

1. Social Security Administration. Your Social Security Number and Card. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10002.pdf
2. Study in the States. Obtaining a Social Security Number. https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/work/obtaining-a-social-security-number#
3. Social Security Administration. The Story of the Social Security Number. https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v69n2/v69n2p55.html#
4. Social Security Administration. How do I apply for a replacement Social Security Card online? https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02017.html
5. Social Security Administration. Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security Card. https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm