The Documents You Must Bring

To get a Social Security card, you need to show proof of your age, citizenship or immigration status, and identity. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will not issue a card without all three. You cannot mail these documents in — you must appear in person at a Social Security office with originals or certified copies.

Proof of age means a birth certificate, passport, or driver's license. Proof of citizenship means a U.S. birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. If you are not a citizen, you need an immigration document showing you are authorized to work in the United States — usually a green card, employment authorization document (EAD), or visa. Proof of identity can be a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. A school ID or library card will not work.

If your documents are from another country, bring the original plus an English translation certified by a translator. The SSA will not accept photocopies unless they are certified by the issuing agency.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring originals or certified copies of documents proving age, citizenship or work authorization, and identity — photocopies alone will not work.
  • A U.S. birth certificate covers both age and citizenship, so it is the single most useful document to bring.
  • If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or naturalization papers plus proof you are authorized to work here.
  • You must explore in person at a Social Security office; the SSA does not process card requests by mail or online.
  • Processing usually takes one to two weeks, and the SSA will mail the card to the address you provide.

What Counts as Proof of Age

The SSA accepts a U.S. birth certificate as the strongest proof of age. If you do not have one, a passport (U.S. or foreign), driver's license, state ID card, or military ID will work. Religious records made before age five, school records, or medical records can work if nothing else is available, but the SSA prefers documents issued by a government agency.

If your birth certificate is from another country, bring the original plus a certified English translation. A photocopy of a birth certificate will not work unless it is certified by the vital records office that issued it — ask your state or county vital records office how to request a certified copy.

What Counts as Proof of Citizenship or Work Authorization

If you were born in the United States, your birth certificate proves citizenship. If you were born outside the U.S., bring a U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen but are authorized to work here, bring your green card (Permanent Resident Card), Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or a visa showing work authorization.

Temporary visas like a tourist visa (B-1/B-2) do not count as work authorization. If you are on an H-1B, L-1, or other employment visa, bring the visa itself plus your I-94 arrival/departure record (available at cbp.gov). If you have a green card process pending, bring a receipt notice from USCIS showing your case is in process.

What Counts as Proof of Identity

A government-issued photo ID is the standard. This includes a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. If you do not have a photo ID, the SSA will accept a school ID, employee ID, or medical record — but you will need to bring two of these non-photo documents instead of one photo ID.

The document must show your name and be recent enough that you still look like the photo. An expired driver's license is acceptable if it expired within the last five years.

Documents You Do Not Need to Bring

You do not need to bring a Social Security number if you do not have one — that is what you are there to get. You do not need a job offer letter, employer letter, or proof of income. You do not need to bring your parents' documents unless you are under 18 and they are explore on your behalf.

If you are replacing a lost or stolen card, you do not need the original card itself, but you should bring the same identity and citizenship documents as a first-time applicant. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the document showing the legal change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) along with your other documents.

How to Find Your Local Social Security Office

Go to ssa.gov/locator to find the office nearest you. Enter your zip code and the site will show office addresses, phone numbers, and hours. Call ahead if you can — some offices require an appointment, while others take walk-ins. During busy times, wait times can be long, so arriving early in the day or on a weekday morning usually means a shorter wait.

If you cannot travel to an office, call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about alternatives. The SSA sometimes sends representatives to community centers, libraries, or senior centers in rural areas. If you are homebound, you may be able to request a home visit, though this is not may provide.

What Happens After You Submit Your Documents

The SSA will review your documents on the spot. If everything is in order, they will take your process and tell you when to expect your card. Processing usually takes one to two weeks. The SSA will mail the card to the address you provide — you do not pick it up at the office.

If a document is missing or unclear, the SSA will tell you what you need to bring back. You will have 30 days to return with the missing document. If you do not return within 30 days, your process will be closed and you will have to start over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a passport as proof of age and citizenship at the same time?

Yes. A U.S. passport proves both age and citizenship, so you can bring just a passport plus a photo ID and you will have everything the SSA needs. A foreign passport proves age but not citizenship, so you would also need a naturalization certificate or green card.

What if I was born in the United States but do not have a birth certificate?

Contact your state or county vital records office to request a certified copy. This usually costs $10 to $30 and takes one to three weeks. If you cannot get a birth certificate, bring a passport, driver's license, or other government-issued ID showing your date of birth, plus a document like a school record or medical record made before age five.

Do I need to bring originals or can I bring copies?

The SSA prefers originals. If you bring a copy, it must be certified by the agency that issued it — a photocopy you made yourself will not work. Certified copies usually cost $5 to $15 and take one to two weeks to receive.

What if my name on my documents does not match?

Bring the document showing the legal change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The SSA will use the name on your most recent legal document. If your documents show different names and you cannot explain why, the SSA may ask you to bring additional proof before issuing the card.

Can someone else pick up my Social Security card for me?

No. The SSA mails the card to the address you provide. You cannot pick it up at the office or have someone else collect it. If you move before the card arrives, you can go back to the Social Security office and ask them to send it to your new address.