How to Get a Replacement Social Security Card in Person

To get a replacement Social Security card in person, make an appointment at your local Social Security Administration (SSA) field office, bring a completed Form SS-5 along with original identity and, if needed, citizenship or immigration documents, and expect your new card to arrive by mail in roughly 7 to 10 business days. There is no fee. You will not walk out of the office with a card in hand.¹

Book the Appointment First

The SSA asks that you schedule an appointment rather than walking in.¹ Find the nearest field office through the office locator at ssa.gov. When you call to schedule, have a rough idea of which documents you plan to bring so the representative can confirm you have what the office needs.

You can download Form SS-5, the Application for a Social Security Card, from ssa.gov and fill it out before you arrive. That saves time at the counter and cuts down on mistakes.²

What Happens at the Office

At your appointment you hand over the completed Form SS-5 and your supporting documents. The SSA representative reviews your originals, makes any copies they need, and returns the originals to you. There is no charge for a replacement card, so if anyone asks you to pay, it’s a scam.³

If you applied in person and need to prove you’ve applied before the card arrives, ask about a receipt. Employers can accept an SSA application receipt as a temporary Form I-9 document for up to 90 days, after which you’ll need the actual card.⁴ You can also request a verification letter from the SSA confirming your number if a job or agency needs it sooner.

Documents to Bring

Every document you bring must be an original or a certified copy from the agency that issued it. Photocopies and notarized copies are not accepted.⁵

Proof of Identity

The SSA strongly prefers one of these:

U.S. driver’s license
State-issued non-driver identification card
U.S. passport

If you don’t have any of those and can’t replace one within 10 days, the SSA may accept alternatives like an employee ID, school ID, U.S. military ID, health insurance card (not Medicare), or a certified medical record. Whatever you present must be current, show your legal name, and include either biographical information such as date of birth or a recent photograph.⁵

One point that catches people off guard: a birth certificate is not acceptable as proof of identity, even though it can be used elsewhere in the application.²

Proof of U.S. Citizenship

If your citizenship is already on file from a previous SSA application, you may not need to prove it again. If you do, the SSA accepts only:

U.S. birth certificate
U.S. passport
Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240 or DS-1350)

Nothing else qualifies for citizenship.⁵

If You’re Not a U.S. Citizen

Non-citizens need current immigration documents showing lawful status and, where applicable, work authorization, along with a foreign passport for identity. Common documents include Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card), Form I-766 (Employment Authorization Document), and Form I-94 with an unexpired foreign passport. F-1 or M-1 students also bring Form I-20, and J-1 or J-2 exchange visitors bring Form DS-2019.⁵

If Your Name Has Changed

A name change from marriage, divorce, or a court order means updating your Social Security record at the same appointment. You’ll still use Form SS-5, and you’ll add a document proving the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. That comes on top of your standard identity documents, and the SSA needs originals or certified copies here too.

Do this promptly. A mismatch between your Social Security record and other IDs can cause trouble with employers, tax filings, and background checks. A name-change card doesn’t count toward the replacement limits described below, so there’s no reason to put it off.

Applying for a Child

A parent or legal guardian can request a child’s replacement card at the same in-person appointment by filling out Form SS-5 on the child’s behalf. You’ll need to prove your own identity, the child’s identity, and your relationship to or custody of the child.⁶ A birth certificate that lists you as a parent generally covers the relationship requirement and can also establish the child’s age and citizenship.

For the child’s identity, the SSA accepts a DHS immigration document (if applicable), a state-issued non-driver ID, an adoption decree, a doctor or hospital record, a religious record, or a school or daycare record. It has to show the child’s name and identifying details like date of birth or parents’ names.⁵ As with adults, a birth certificate cannot serve as the child’s identity proof.

When Your Card Will Arrive

Once the SSA has processed your application, the new card is mailed to the address on file, typically within 7 to 10 business days.⁷ In-person applications tend to move through faster than mail-in ones, which currently sit in a two-to-four-week processing queue before the card is even sent out.

How Many Replacements You Can Get

Federal law caps replacement cards at three per calendar year and ten over your lifetime.⁸ Two categories don’t count toward those limits: cards issued because of a legal name change, and cards issued to add, change, or remove a work authorization legend.

If you’ve hit the cap and still need a card, the SSA can grant a hardship exception case by case. That typically requires a letter from a third party such as an employer or a state benefits agency stating that you must present the physical card to receive employment or a government benefit. Without that documentation, the request will be denied.⁹

1
Social Security Administration. Replace Social Security Card
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Social Security Administration. Form SS-5 – Application for a Social Security Card
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Social Security Administration. How Do I Apply for a Replacement Social Security Number Card Online
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Receipts
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Social Security Administration. Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get a Social Security Card
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Social Security Administration. What Documents Are Required to Request a Replacement Social Security Number Card for a Child
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Social Security Administration. How Long Will It Take to Get a Social Security Card
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Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 U.S. Code 405 – Evidence, Procedure, and Certification for Payments
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Social Security Administration. Exception to SSN Card Limits Due to Hardship