What to Do If You Lost Your Social Security Card

If you lost your Social Security card, you can request a free replacement online or by submitting Form SS-5 to the Social Security Administration, and the new card typically arrives by mail within 5 to 10 business days. Before you apply, though, think about whether you actually need the physical card. The SSA itself says most people don’t, because a card is not an ID and knowing your number is usually enough.¹

Do You Actually Need a Replacement

Filing taxes, opening a bank account, and most job paperwork only require the number itself, not the card.² The SSA recommends keeping the card in a safe place rather than carrying it, so if you know your number and have it recorded somewhere secure, you may be fine without ordering a new one.

The situation where the physical card most often matters is starting a new job. An unrestricted Social Security card is one of several List C documents that establish employment authorization on Form I-9. It is not the only one. A U.S. birth certificate or a Certificate of Naturalization satisfies the same requirement.³ If you have an alternative and you know your number, you may not need a replacement at all.

Protect Your Number Before Anything Else

A lost card creates a risk that whoever finds it could use your number to open credit accounts or file fraudulent tax returns. Two federal tools address that risk, and they work differently.

Security Freeze or Fraud Alert

A security freeze blocks the credit bureaus from releasing your credit report, which stops new accounts from being opened in your name. Under federal law, each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — must place the freeze for free within one business day of a phone or online request.⁴ You can lift it temporarily whenever you need to apply for credit and then put it back.

A fraud alert is lighter. Rather than blocking access, it tells lenders to verify your identity before approving new credit. An initial fraud alert lasts at least one year, and you only need to contact one bureau; that bureau notifies the other two.⁴ A freeze is stronger protection. A fraud alert is easier to set up. Many people do both.

Report It to the FTC

If you have any sign that your number has already been misused, file a report at IdentityTheft.gov. Filing creates an official FTC Identity Theft Report and generates a personalized recovery plan with step-by-step instructions.⁵ The report helps you dispute fraudulent accounts with creditors and is entered into a law enforcement database. It takes a few minutes and costs nothing.

How to Request a Replacement

Online, if You Qualify

The fastest route is the SSA’s my Social Security portal. To use it, you must be a U.S. citizen age 18 or older, have a U.S. mailing address, and hold a driver’s license or state-issued ID from a participating state or the District of Columbia.⁶ Not all states participate; you can check yours at ssa.gov/myaccount. The online option is off the table if you need to change your name, date of birth, or any other detail on your record.

In Person or by Mail

If you can’t apply online, complete Form SS-5, the Application for a Social Security Card, available at ssa.gov.⁷ The form asks for your full legal name, any other names you have used, your Social Security number, the names and Social Security numbers of both parents, and your date and place of birth. Every entry must match your supporting documents exactly. Small discrepancies in spelling or dates can delay processing.

You can bring the completed form and your original documents to a local Social Security office or Card Center, or mail them in. The SSA has an online locator to find the nearest facility by zip code. You can also start online and schedule an in-person appointment to finish.⁸ If you mail documents, the SSA returns the originals after verifying them.

If Your Name Has Changed

A name change from marriage, divorce, or a court order rules out the online portal. Apply in person or by mail, and include proof of the legal change such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.⁹ Name-change cards do not count toward the annual or lifetime replacement limits described below.

Documents You Will Need

The SSA requires original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency. Photocopies, notarized copies, and digital scans are not accepted.¹⁰ Everything you submit is returned to you after verification.

Proof of Identity

You need at least one document showing your name and either your date of birth, age, or a recent photograph. The strongest options are a current U.S. driver’s license, state-issued ID card, or U.S. passport.⁹ If none of those are available and you can’t get a replacement within 10 days, the SSA may accept an alternative such as a current employee ID, school ID, health insurance card with biographical data (Medicare cards don’t qualify), or an unexpired U.S. military ID.

Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status

For U.S. citizens, a birth certificate typically covers both age and citizenship. Citizens born outside the United States can use a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a U.S. passport.¹⁰ If a birth certificate isn’t available, a religious record showing your date of birth that was recorded before age five may be accepted as evidence of age.¹¹

Non-citizens must present immigration documents that prove identity and work authorization. Depending on status, that could be a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766), or another current Department of Homeland Security document.¹²

Cost, Limits, and How Long It Takes

Replacing a Social Security card is always free. The SSA charges nothing for the application or the card.¹³ Some private companies charge fees to fill out the same form you can submit yourself. They offer no advantage, and you still have to send your documents to the SSA. Be cautious about handing your Social Security number to any third-party site.

Federal regulations cap replacement cards at three per calendar year and ten over your lifetime. Your original card never counts. Cards issued for a verified legal name change don’t count either, and neither do cards updated because a restrictive work-authorization legend was added, changed, or removed. If you have hit the annual or lifetime cap, the SSA may still grant an exception for significant hardship, such as a government social services agency requiring you to show the physical card to receive benefits.¹⁴

Once the SSA processes your application, the replacement card arrives by mail within 5 to 10 business days.¹ If you applied online, you can track status through your my Social Security account. For questions by phone, the SSA’s toll-free line is 1-800-772-1213.

1
Social Security Administration. Replace Social Security Card
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Social Security Administration. Guard Your Card
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. List C Documents That Establish Employment Authorization
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Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 15 USC 1681c-1 – Identity Theft Prevention; Fraud Alerts and Active Duty Alerts
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Federal Trade Commission. IdentityTheft.gov
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Social Security Administration. Request Your Replacement Social Security Card Online
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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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Social Security Administration. Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get a Social Security Card
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eCFR. 20 CFR 422.107 – Evidence Requirements
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Social Security Administration. 20 CFR 404.716 – Evidence Requirements
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Social Security Administration. Apply for Your Social Security Card While Applying for Your Work Permit and/or Lawful Permanent Residency
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Social Security Administration. What Does It Cost to Get a Social Security Card
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eCFR. 20 CFR 422.103 – Social Security Numbers