How to Replace a Social Security Card

How to Get a New Social Security Card

Getting a new Social Security card involves three steps.

Step 1: Gather Documentation

The first step in replacing your Social Security card is gathering documentation. All documentation must be original, unexpired documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. The SSA doesn't accept photocopies or notarized documents.

You'll need documentation to prove:

Citizenship

You can prove U.S. citizenship with either a U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate.

Age

To prove your age, you must present your birth certificate. If you don't have a birth certificate, the SSA might accept one of the following:

• U.S. passport
• U.S. hospital record of your birth
• Religious record made before age 5 showing your date of birth

Identity

You must prove your identity by supplying one of the following:

• U.S. driver's license
• State-issued ID card
• U.S. passport

If you don't have any of those documents, the SSA may accept an employee ID card, school ID card, military ID card or health insurance card (not a Medicare card).

An identity document must include your name, date of birth or age and ideally a recent photo.

Keep in mind that you can use one document for two purposes. For instance, your U.S. passport might serve as proof of both citizenship and identity.

Step 2: Apply Online

You can complete the application process completely online if you meet certain requirements. Fill out the Social Security card application using the documents above or create a Social Security account to fill out the application online.

You can complete a new card request online if you:

• Are a U.S. citizen who's at least 18 years old
• Have a driver's license or state-issued ID card from a participating state or the District of Columbia
• Have a U.S. mailing address (including APO, FPO and DPO addresses)
• Have an online Social Security account
• Don't need to make changes to your name, date of birth, place of birth or gender

If you don't qualify for online replacement of your Social Security card, you must visit a local SSA office.

Step 3: Visit an SSA Office

If you aren't eligible or don't want to replace your card online, print out and bring your completed application and required original documents to a local SSA office. If you fill out the application online and then print it out, the SSA website will direct you to a page where you can find a nearby office.

How Do I Get a Replacement Social Security Card for My Child?

To get a replacement Social Security card for a child, you can use the online Social Security number and card application available at SSA.gov/number-card. You'll start the application online and finish the process at a Social Security office or card center. You may be able to schedule an appointment at a Social Security office or card center after completing the online application.

If you're unable to begin the process online, you must visit a Social Security office or card center. You'll need to fill out an application for a Social Security card (Form SS-5). If you can't schedule an appointment online, call 800-772-1213 to set up a visit to an office or card center.

As with an application for an adult, you must present original, unexpired documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them if you're replacing a child's Social Security card. Photocopies or notarized copies aren't accepted. One document may be used for two purposes, such as a U.S. passport to prove your child's age and citizenship.

Documents Required for Replacing Your Child's Social Security Card

Many of the documentation requirements for adults and children are similar. Here are the documents needed to replace a child's Social Security card.

Citizenship

Documents that are acceptable for proving a child's citizenship include:

• State-issued ID card
• U.S. passport
• U.S. consular report of birth abroad
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship

Age

Generally, the SSA requires a U.S. birth certificate to verify a child's age. But if a U.S. birth certificate isn't able, you might be able to present one of the following:

• Religious record made before age 5 showing the age or date of birth
• U.S. hospital record of birth, established before age 5
• U.S. passport

Identity

A document showing your child's name, identifying information (date of birth, age or

parents' names) and preferably a photograph can prove a child's identity. Acceptable documentation for verifying a child's identity includes:

• State-issued ID card
• U.S. passport
• Adoption decree
• Doctor, clinic or hospital record
• Religious record
• School or day care center record
• School ID card

Although you can use a birth certificate to prove age or citizenship, you can't use it as proof of identity.

What to Do if Your Social Security Card Is Stolen

If your Social Security card has been stolen, you should:

• Replace your Social Security card. Follow the previously outlined instructions for getting a new card. While the SSA notes you may not need the card if you know your number, it can be helpful to have the hard copy in certain situations.
• Report the incident. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you think you've been the victim of identity theft. To file a report, visit IdentityTheft.gov.
• Consider filing a police report. After reporting the card theft to the FTC, you might want to file a report with your local police department. This can help you recover if your card is used to commit identity theft.
• Check your Experian credit report for free. Check to see if anyone has used your Social Security number to open credit accounts in your name. You can get your Experian credit report for free.
• Consider a credit freeze. You have the right to add a security freeze, more commonly called a credit freeze, to your credit reports at no cost. This limits access to your Experian, TransUnion and Equifax credit reports for as long as you keep the freezes in place, though you'll need to freeze (and thaw) your credit files separately with each bureau.
• Look into setting up a fraud alert. You also have the right to set up a fraud alert on your credit reports. This type of alert instructs creditors to verify your identity before approving a new account in your name. That extra step can block fraudsters from getting approved. When you place a fraud alert with any of the three credit bureaus, the other two will add it to their reports as well. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and can be renewed.
• Check to see if someone is using your Social Security number for work purposes. You can review your Social Security work history by creating an account at SocialSecurity.gov/myaccount.
• Contact companies where your Social Security number has been used fraudulently. These companies might include new creditors, existing creditors, government agencies and health care providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

If your Social Security card has been lost or stolen, you can get a free replacement card through the SSA website, by visiting an SSA office or by mail. You'll need to provide various forms of documentation to prove your citizenship age and identity, and as long as the documents are accepted, you should receive your card within two weeks, or slightly longer if you applied by mail.