How To Order Copies Of Your Birth Certificate And Social Security Card At The Same Time

Your birth certificate and Social Security card are issued by two separate agencies — but you may want to order replacements for both simultaneously. People sometimes store these documents together — in the same folder, drawer, or wallet — which means losing one can mean losing both.

The good news: you can start both replacement applications on the same day, and if you have a valid U.S. passport or another accepted citizenship document, the two processes can run fully in parallel.

Step-by-step: How to replace both documents at the same time

Step 1 — Order your certified birth certificate copy

A birth certificate is a state record issued by the vital records office of the state where you were born.

What you need to gather:

• Completed state application form (available on your birth state's vital records office website)
• Copy of a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, U.S. passport, military ID, or state-issued non-driver ID)
• Proof of eligibility if ordering on behalf of a family member (requirements vary by state — eligible requestors typically include a parent, spouse, adult child, or legal guardian)
• Payment in the form the state accepts (check, money order, or credit card, depending on the state)

How to submit:

1. Go to the vital records office website for the state where you were born.
2. Download and complete the state's application form.
3. Gather your photo ID copy and any required supporting documents.
4. Pay the state fee.
5. Mail the complete package to the state vital records office, or submit through the state's online portal if one is available.

One important distinction: You need a certified copy — one with the raised or embossed official seal. An informational copy or a photocopy of an existing certificate will not be accepted by the SSA and most government agencies for identity or citizenship verification. The state mails the certified copy directly to the address on the application.

Processing time: Most standard orders take two to six weeks, depending on the state and current processing volume.

Step 2 — Begin your social security card application at the same time

While your birth certificate application is in the mail, you can begin preparing your Social Security card replacement in parallel.

The SSA requires two categories of documentation:

• Proof of identity: A current government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or state-issued ID.
• Proof of citizenship or lawful status: A U.S. birth certificate satisfies this requirement — but so does a valid U.S. passport if you have one.

If you have a valid U.S. passport: You do not need to wait for your birth certificate. A valid U.S. passport is typically accepted as both proof of identity and citizenship by the SSA, though the SSA may request additional documents in some cases. You can proceed with your SS-5 application immediately.

If you do not have a passport: Prepare your SS-5 form and supporting documents now, but hold the package until your certified birth certificate arrives. Then submit everything together.

How to submit your Social Security card application:

1. Download Form SS-5 from the SSA website.
2. Complete the form with your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and Social Security number.
3. Gather your proof of identity (photo ID) and proof of citizenship (certified birth certificate or passport).
4. Submit in person or by mail. In some states, you may also qualify to apply online.

The SSA does not charge a fee to replace your Social Security card.

Step 3 — Track your birth certificate

Once your certified birth certificate arrives, there are two scenarios possible:

• If you submitted your SS-5 application using a passport, you only have to wait for your Social Security card.
• If you were waiting on the birth certificate, attach it to your SS-5 package and submit now.

Here is how the full timeline typically looks:

These are typical ranges, not guarantees. State vital records offices control birth certificate timelines; the SSA controls Social Security card timelines.

What if you lost all your IDs too?

If a theft, disaster, or move wiped out your birth certificate, Social Security card, and your driver's license, start in this order:

1. Birth certificate first. Some states allow a notarized sworn statement or alternative documents if you lack photo ID, but requirements vary widely. Contact your birth state's vital records office directly to confirm what they will accept with limited documentation.

2. Driver's license or state ID second. A certified birth certificate is often one of the required documents, but DMVs typically require additional proof such as residency and SSN. Contact your state's DMV to confirm what the full document package needs to include.

3. Social Security card third. Once you have your certified birth certificate (and ideally a photo ID), you can submit your SS-5 to the SSA.

If the documents were stolen: Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC generates a personalized, step-by-step recovery plan. The FTC report can be useful if your identity was stolen, though it is not typically required for a standard Social Security card replacement.

How GOV+ simplifies replacing both documents

GOV+ offers separate filing-assistance kits for each document — because two different agencies issue them.

If you need a birth certificate, GOV+ handles the preparation work so you don't have to navigate your birth state's forms, requirements, and mailing instructions on your own. The kit includes:

• Pre-filled state request form — the correct form for your birth state, populated with your information
• State-specific document checklist — exactly what your state's vital records office requires
• Prepaid, pre-addressed envelope — addressed directly to the state vital records office
• Step-by-step submission instructions
• Real-time tracking from kit delivery through receipt at the vital records office
• Ongoing support and document protection access

And applying for a birth certificate through GOV+ sets you up for every government application you may need from now on. Our autofill technology stores your information and automatically pre-fills future forms, so you never have to start from scratch again.

Apply for a birth certificate today.

We’ve also created a pain-free portal to replace your social security card and eliminated the stress of navigating government sites.

• Fill out a simple online form — no confusing government websites or paper forms to deal with
• Receive your guidance kit — everything pre-prepared so your application is complete and error-free
• Track in real time — from kit delivery through receipt at the vital records office
• Get your certified copy in the mail — delivered directly to your door

Replace your social security card today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit my birth certificate and Social Security card applications on the same day?

It depends. The two applications go to completely separate agencies — the state vital records office for your birth certificate and the SSA for your Social Security card. If you have a valid U.S. passport or another accepted citizenship document, the two processes can run fully in parallel. If a certified birth certificate is your only proof of citizenship, you will need to wait for it to arrive before submitting your SS-5 to the SSA.

Do I need my birth certificate before I apply for a replacement Social Security card?

It depends on what other documents you have. A valid U.S. passport is typically accepted by the SSA as both proof of identity and citizenship, which means you can apply for your Social Security card without waiting for your birth certificate — though the SSA may request additional documents in some cases. If you don't have a passport, a certified birth certificate is the standard document used to prove citizenship and age for the SS-5 application, and you'll need it in hand before submitting.

Does the SSA accept a birth certificate as proof of identity?

No. A U.S. birth certificate proves citizenship and age, not identity. For proof of identity, the SSA requires a current government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license. The birth certificate satisfies the citizenship requirement; your photo ID satisfies identity.

What if I lost my Social Security card but I don't know my Social Security number?

The SSA typically will not provide your SSN over the phone due to fraud risk. You may need to visit an SSA office in person with identification. Your SSN may also appear on prior tax returns, W-2 forms, or employer payroll records, which is worth checking before making a trip.

How many times can I replace my Social Security card?

The SSA limits replacement card requests to three per calendar year and ten over a lifetime. Certain corrections — such as a legal name change — may not count toward those limits.

Do I need my Social Security number to order my birth certificate?

Some states request your Social Security number for identity verification purposes, but requirements vary. In most cases, you need your completed state application form, a copy of government-issued photo ID, proof of eligibility if ordering on behalf of a family member, and the applicable state fee. Check your birth state's vital records office website for the exact requirements.

How long does a birth certificate replacement take?

Most standard orders take two to six weeks. Processing times vary by state, current volume, and whether the state offers an expedited option or online portal. Check your birth state's vital records office page for current estimates.

What if the documents were stolen rather than simply lost?

Report the theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC generates a personalized recovery plan that can be useful if your identity was stolen, though it is not typically required for a standard Social Security card replacement. For ongoing monitoring, GOV+'s identity theft protection service can help protect your records from further misuse.

References

1. Replace Your Social Security Card. Social Security Administration.
2. What Documents Do You Need for a Social Security Card?. Social Security Administration.
3. Form SS-5: Application for a Social Security Card. Social Security Administration.
4. How to Replace Lost or Stolen ID Cards. USAGov.
5. California Department of Public Health, Vital Records. CDPH.
6. Vital Statistics. Texas Department of State Health Services.

Personal Recovery Plan. FTC IdentityTheft.gov.