To look up a Social Security number, start with your own paperwork: tax returns, W-2s, and similar records show the full nine digits. If nothing on hand has it, you can request a free replacement card from the Social Security Administration online, by mail, or in person. Standard processing takes about one to two weeks.
Check Your Personal Records First
Before contacting any agency, look through documents you already have. Several common ones display the full number:
- Federal Form 1040 and state income tax returns list the number for the primary filer, a spouse on joint returns, and any dependents claimed.
- W-2 wage statements from employers and 1099 forms from banks and brokerages include your number.
- Veterans separated before 2025 will usually find their number in Box 3 of DD Form 214. The Department of Defense has begun replacing the Social Security number with a DOD identification number on newer DD-214s, so recent veterans may not find it there.1MyNavyHR. DD Form 214 Updates
- Some older health insurance cards and benefit notices printed the number directly on the card, though most insurers have phased out this practice.
If you locate the number, you don’t need a replacement card unless an employer, bank, or agency specifically asks to see the card itself. Many institutions will accept other proof of the number, like a W-2 or a tax return.
Request a Free Replacement Card From the SSA
A replacement card is free. The SSA charges nothing for standard processing and does not offer expedited service.2Social Security Administration. What Does It Cost to Get a Social Security Card? Be wary of private companies that charge a fee to help you apply; they have no special access, and you still have to submit your documents directly to Social Security.
Start with Form SS-5, the Application for a Social Security Card, available on the SSA website.3Social Security Administration. Application for Social Security Card Form SS-5 The form asks for your full name at birth, place of birth, both parents’ full names, and your citizenship status.
Documents You Need
Federal regulations require original documents, or copies certified by the issuing agency. The SSA will not accept photocopies or notarized copies.4eCFR. 20 CFR 422.107 – Evidence Requirements A U.S. citizen requesting a replacement needs one document proving identity. Commonly accepted:
- A current U.S. passport
- A state-issued driver’s license or identification card
- A U.S. military identification card
If you were born outside the United States, you also need to prove citizenship or current work-authorized immigration status. Accepted citizenship documents include a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship.4eCFR. 20 CFR 422.107 – Evidence Requirements Non-citizens with work authorization typically provide Form I-766 (Employment Authorization Document) or Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card).5Social Security Administration. Apply for Your Social Security Number While Applying for Your Work Permit and/or Lawful Permanent Residency
Expired or invalid documents will be rejected, and if the SSA can’t verify your identity from what you submit, it won’t issue a card.4eCFR. 20 CFR 422.107 – Evidence Requirements
How to Submit Your Application
Online
The fastest option is the SSA’s online portal through a “my Social Security” account. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen age 18 or older with a driver’s license or state ID from a participating state or the District of Columbia, and you cannot be requesting changes to your name, date of birth, or other recorded information.6Social Security Administration. Request Your Replacement Social Security Card Online Not every state participates; check the SSA website before creating an account.
By Mail or In Person
If you don’t qualify for online submission, mail your completed Form SS-5 and original documents to your local Social Security field office. The SSA returns originals after processing. If you’d rather not put your identity documents in the mail, schedule an in-person appointment at the field office instead.
Processing Time
Once the SSA verifies your application, you should receive your replacement card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.7Social Security Administration. How Long Will It Take to Get a Social Security Card?
Limits on Replacement Cards
Federal law limits you to three replacement cards per calendar year and ten over your lifetime.3Social Security Administration. Application for Social Security Card Form SS-5 These caps come from the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and apply to cards issued on or after December 17, 2005.8Social Security Administration. Limits on Replacement SSN Cards
Some situations don’t count against the limits:
- Cards issued to reflect a legal name change
- Cards issued to add, change, or remove a work-authorization legend
- Cards issued before December 17, 2005
If you’ve already hit the yearly or lifetime cap, the SSA may grant an exception when you show evidence of hardship or that an official source requires you to present a physical card.8Social Security Administration. Limits on Replacement SSN Cards A card issued after a legal name change also requires a document proving the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.9Social Security Administration. Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get a Social Security Card
Looking Up a Deceased Relative’s Number
If you need the number of a deceased family member to file a final tax return, settle an estate, or claim survivor benefits, the process is different.
The SSA maintains death records in what is commonly called the Death Master File, which includes the deceased person’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death when available.10Social Security Administration. Requesting SSA’s Death Information Federal law restricts public access for three calendar years after the death. During that window, only individuals or organizations certified by the Department of Commerce, with a legitimate fraud-prevention interest or a business purpose under law, can obtain the records.11Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 1306c – Restriction on Access to the Death Master File
You can also request a copy of the deceased person’s original Form SS-5 through the SSA’s Freedom of Information Act process using Form SSA-711.12Social Security Administration. Make a FOIA Request Form SSA-711 isn’t required, but it speeds things along. The fees:
- Photocopy of the original SS-5: $27
- Computer extract of the SS-5: $26 (may not include parents’ names or place of birth)
- Certified copy: an additional $10 on top of either fee above
Pay by check or money order made out to “Social Security Administration,” or by credit card using the attached Form SSA-714.13Social Security Administration. Request for Deceased Individual’s Social Security Record Form SSA-711 Within the three-year restricted window, you may need to show proof of your authorization as executor or a legitimate legal need for estate administration.
Before paying for records, check the deceased person’s prior tax returns, W-2s, bank or brokerage records, life insurance policies, or older military discharge papers. The number is often already there.
If Your Card Is Lost or Stolen
A missing card creates a risk of identity theft even if no one has used the number yet. A few protective steps limit the damage.
Freeze Your Credit
Contact each of the three major credit bureaus and request a credit freeze: Equifax (800-685-1111), Experian (888-397-3742), and TransUnion (888-909-8872). A freeze blocks anyone from opening new credit accounts in your name, and it’s free to place and lift. You can also add a one-year fraud alert by contacting just one of the three; that bureau then notifies the others.
Report Identity Theft
If you find that someone has used your number, report it at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling 877-438-4338. The site walks you through a personalized recovery plan, including filing an Identity Theft Affidavit (IRS Form 14039) if the theft involves your taxes.
Lock Your Number in E-Verify
The Department of Homeland Security’s myE-Verify tool includes a Self Lock feature that places a lock on your number within the E-Verify employment verification system. While the lock is active, any employer who runs your number through E-Verify gets a mismatch, which helps stop someone from working under your identity. You can unlock the number when you start a new job with an E-Verify employer.14E-Verify. Self Lock Self Lock addresses employment fraud only; it doesn’t prevent other misuse, so a credit freeze still matters.