Form SS-5

Form SS-5 is available for all U.S. born citizens, all foreign-born U.S. citizens, and, in some select instances, noncitizens with special authorization from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Please note that you must present original documents or certified copies of documents to be eligible for processing. 

Eligibility requirements for SS-5 are straightforward.

You must provide the following when applying for an original Social Security card for a U.S. born citizen:

• Original birth certificate OR certified copy of birth certificate; 
• In the event your birth certificate is not available, it may be possible to submit one of the following: a U.S. passport, a U.S. hospital record of your birth, or a religious record showcasing your date of birth
• Proof of identity
• Current, non-expired document with your name, identifying information, and photograph if possible. Common forms of identification include a U.S. passport, a U.S. driver’s license, or state-issued ID card.
• In lieu of the above, you may be able to present a U.S. military ID card, school or employee ID card, or health insurance card.

A U.S. born citizen applying for an original Social Security card must provide two documents to prove U.S. citizenship, age, and identity. A U.S. born citizen applying for a replacement Social Security card must provide one document to provide their identity. 

Changing or Correcting Your Information

If you’re looking to correct or change the information on your Social Security record (for example, changing the name on your social security card), you will need the following:

• Proof of citizenship ONLY IF you have not already established citizenship status with the Social Security Administration
• If you have not done so already, an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport are the easiest ways to establish citizenship
• Legal proof of name change, such as a marriage document, certificate of naturalization, court order approving the change, or divorce decree

Quick Tip - The Social Security Administration can use one document for multiple purposes. If you have one, your U.S. Passport is sufficient as both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. 

You are limited to a maximum of three Social Security card replacements in a given calendar year, and 10 per lifetime. Corrected Social Security cards (for example, in the event of a name change) do not contribute to this limit.

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