First: do you need the card?
The SSA says knowing your Social Security number is what is important and that in most cases a physical card is not necessary. Replace it when you need the card itself to get something done.
How to request a replacement
- Online first. Depending on your situation you may be able to apply online, which the SSA calls the fastest way.
- Otherwise by appointment at a local Social Security office; call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Free. There is no fee.
- By mail: the card arrives 5 to 10 business days after the SSA completes the request. A local office cannot print one on the spot.
Documents
For a US-born adult, the SSA accepts only original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency. Photocopies, notarized copies, expired documents and receipts for documents you applied for are not accepted.
| To prove | Accepted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | US driver's license, state-issued non-driver ID card, or US passport | If you have none and cannot get a replacement within 10 days: employee ID, school ID, health insurance card (not a Medicare card) or US military ID |
| US citizenship, only if not already on your SSA record | US birth certificate or US passport | A passport can prove both identity and citizenship |
| Legal name change, for a corrected card | Marriage document, divorce decree, certificate of naturalization showing the new name, or court order | Older changes may also need an ID in your prior name |
Someone applying for another person may also need documents showing custody or responsibility. When applying online you can ask to correct details in your record, such as date or place of birth, but you then bring the original documents to an office, and those updates do not appear on the card.
Limits on replacements
You can get 3 replacement cards a year and 10 in your lifetime. Legal name changes and some other exceptions, such as certain immigration status changes, do not count, and the limits may not apply if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.
Name changes and stolen numbers
After a legal name change (the full order of updates is in the name change checklist), request a corrected card and tell your employer; the SSA warns that otherwise wages may not post correctly to your record, which can lower future benefits, and your tax filing can be delayed. If you think your number was stolen, report it to the Federal Trade Commission; the next steps are in identity theft recovery steps, and the protective options are compared in credit freeze vs fraud alert.
A Social Security number can be among the documents a state asks for when you apply for a REAL ID. How the SSN differs from other taxpayer numbers is in SSN vs EIN vs ITIN.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a replacement Social Security card cost?
Nothing. The SSA says you can request a free replacement card.
Can I replace my Social Security card online?
Depending on your situation, yes; the SSA says the fastest way is to start the application online. If you cannot finish online, you make an appointment at a local office. Either way the card arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days after the SSA completes the request, and a local office cannot print one for you.
How many replacement Social Security cards can I get?
Three a year and 10 in your lifetime. Legal name changes and some other exceptions do not count toward these limits, and the limits may not apply if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.
Do I need a replacement card at all?
Often not. The SSA says knowing your number is what matters and that in most cases a physical card is not necessary.
What if my Social Security number was stolen?
The SSA directs you to report it to the Federal Trade Commission if you think you are a victim of identity theft; the FTC helps you decide what to do next.
Sources
- Social Security Administration: Replace Social Security card (free replacement, online or by appointment, delivery by mail in 5 to 10 business days, a physical card often not necessary, local offices cannot print cards, phone 1-800-772-1213 and TTY 1-800-325-0778)
- SSA: Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security card (replacement for a US-born adult: limits of 3 a year and 10 in a lifetime and the exceptions; original or certified documents only; identity and citizenship documents; name change documents)
- SSA: Report stolen Social Security number (report to the Federal Trade Commission)