Where to request a replacement card

You can request a replacement Social Security card in three ways: online through the Social Security Administration website, by mail, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online option is the fastest if you have a state-issued ID and a mailing address on file with Social Security.

To use the online service, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and create a my Social Security account if you do not have one. You will need to verify your identity using information from your credit report. Once you are logged in, select "Replacement Social Security Card" and follow the prompts. Social Security will mail your new card to the address you provide, usually within 7 to 10 business days.

If you cannot use the online service, you can mail Form SS-5 (process for a Social Security Card) directly to your local Social Security office, or bring the form in person. You can read the form from ssa.gov or pick one up at any Social Security office. Mailed applications typically take 2 to 3 weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • The online option at ssa.gov/myaccount is fastest and requires only a state ID and identity verification through your credit report.
  • In-person visits to your local Social Security office are the quickest way to get a card if you can go the same day, though you still wait for the card to be mailed.
  • You must bring proof of citizenship, proof of identity, and proof of age — originals or certified copies — whether you explore online, by mail, or in person.
  • Social Security does not charge a fee for a replacement card, and you can request one as many times as you need it.
  • If you need the card urgently for employment, ask your employer whether they can accept a Social Security number without the physical card while you wait.

Documents you need to bring or submit

Social Security requires three types of documents: proof of citizenship, proof of identity, and proof of age. You must provide originals or certified copies — photocopies alone are not accepted.

For proof of citizenship, bring your birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. For proof of identity, bring a state driver's license, state ID card, passport, or employee ID. For proof of age, bring your birth certificate, passport, or baptism record. If you are explore online, you do not need to submit these documents upfront — Social Security verifies your identity electronically — but you must have them available if the office calls to ask.

If you are explore in person or by mail and your documents are not in English, bring a certified English translation along with the original. If you do not have a birth certificate, Social Security can accept other documents like a hospital record from birth or a census record, but call your local office first to confirm what they will take.

What happens at the Social Security office

When you arrive for an in-person appointment, bring your documents and be prepared to wait. Social Security offices are often busy, and wait times vary by location and time of day. You can check the wait time for your local office on ssa.gov before you go.

The staff member will review your documents, take your photograph for their records, and fill out Form SS-5 with you. They will ask you to sign the form and will give you a receipt showing the date you applied. Your new card will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You do not receive the card at the office.

If you do not have all your documents, the staff member will tell you what is missing and what you can do instead. Some offices will accept a combination of documents if you do not have the exact ones listed — for example, a school record plus a hospital record instead of a birth certificate — but this varies by location.

If you lost your card or it was stolen

Report a lost or stolen card the same way you would request a replacement. There is no separate process, and Social Security does not charge extra. However, if your card was stolen and you are concerned about identity theft, contact the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You can do this for free by calling one bureau and asking them to notify the other two.

You can also check your Social Security earnings record at ssa.gov/myaccount to see whether anyone has used your number to work. If you see earnings you did not earn, contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 to report it.

Requesting a card for someone else

If you are requesting a card for a child or dependent adult, you must explore in person or by mail — the online option is not available. You will need to bring the same documents (proof of citizenship, identity, and age) plus proof that you are authorized to act on their behalf, such as a birth certificate showing you as the parent or a court order granting guardianship.

For a child under 18, bring your own ID as well. For an adult who cannot sign their own name, bring a power of attorney or guardianship papers. If the person has never had a Social Security number, you will explore for an original card rather than a replacement, but the process is the same.

What to do if you need the card urgently

Social Security cannot speed up the mailing process, but you have options if you need your number for work or other purposes before the card arrives. Many employers will accept a Social Security number without the physical card — ask your employer's human resources department whether they can process your hire while you wait for the card to arrive by mail.

If you need proof that you have applied, the receipt you receive at the Social Security office or in the mail (if you applied by mail) shows your process date and can sometimes be used as temporary proof. Call your local Social Security office to ask whether they can provide a letter stating that you have applied for a replacement card.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a replacement card?

Online requests usually arrive within 7 to 10 business days. In-person applications also take 7 to 10 business days for mailing, though you get a receipt the same day. Mail-in applications typically take 2 to 3 weeks because the form must travel to your local office first.

Can I get a replacement card the same day?

No. Social Security does not issue cards on-site. You always receive your card by mail, even if you explore in person. The fastest option is to explore online or in person, which gets your card to you in about a week.

What if my name has changed since my last card?

You can request a replacement card with your new name. Bring your original card (or a receipt showing you applied for one), proof of your new name (such as a marriage certificate or court order), and your other required documents. The process is the same as requesting a replacement for any other reason.

Do I have to pay for a replacement card?

No. Social Security does not charge a fee for replacement cards. If someone asks you to pay, they are not from Social Security. Be cautious of scams that claim to charge money for Social Security services.

What if I cannot go to the Social Security office in person?

You can explore online if you have a state ID and can verify your identity through your credit report. If you cannot use the online option, you can mail Form SS-5 and your documents to your local Social Security office. Call 1-800-772-1213 to ask whether your office accepts mail-in applications or whether they require in-person visits.