How to Replace a Lost Social Security Card

Without a Social Security number, you wouldn’t be able to legally work in the U.S., file your taxes, or receive government benefits. But since most people receive their Social Security cards when they’re born, it’s not uncommon to lose your card at some point.

Generally, it’s more important to know your Social Security number than it is to have the physical card. But a few situations still call for it, and getting a replacement is free.

How to replace a lost Social Security card

There are only three ways for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to replace a Social Security card through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Online through the SSA’s My Social Security portal

This is often the fastest way to replace your card. If you don’t already have a My Social Security account, you can create one online in minutes. Most states (though not all) will allow you to request a replacement card through your online account.

If you aren’t able to request your replacement card online, the SSA’s My Social Security portal can help speed up the process. You can start filling out your application for a new card online and schedule an appointment with your local Social Security office.

In person at a local SSA office

Your local Social Security Administration office can help you start the process of getting a new card. Even if you visit an SSA office in person, staff can’t print a new one: It’s still mailed to you, typically within 10 business days.

When you visit your local SSA office, you’ll need proof of your identification and citizenship or immigration status. You should also bring your completed Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5).

We’ll go over what forms of ID and citizenship/immigration documents the Social Security Administration accepts in a later section.

By mail

U.S. citizens and permanent residents can also replace Social Security cards by mail, although the process takes longer. You’ll need to send in the following:

• Your completed and signed Form SS-5
• An original document or certified copy of a document proving your identity

You can’t send copies of documents or ID cards. Instead, you must mail the originals to the SSA. The SSA will mail back your original documents after it processes your application.

The SSA caps replacement cards at three in a calendar year and 10 in a lifetime. Name changes and a few other exceptions don't count against either total.

Documents you need to replace your Social Security card

Because your Social Security number is so closely tied to your sensitive personal information, you may need to submit multiple forms of identification with your application for a new card.

Proof of identity

If you’ve already established your citizenship with the SSA, you’ll need to provide a document that proves your identity.

Documents the SSA most commonly accepts include:

• Driver’s license
• Non-driver ID card
• U.S. passport

If you don’t have any of those documents, and you can’t get a replacement within 10 business days, the SSA may accept documents like:

• Employee or school ID card
• Health insurance card (though not for Medicare)
• U.S. military ID card

The SSA won’t accept expired documents, and each one must include your name and date of birth (or age), with a preference for ID that includes a photo. Contact your local SSA office if you’re not sure which of your documents are valid.

Proof of citizenship or immigration status

If you’re a citizen and haven’t already established your citizenship with the SSA, you’ll need to provide proof with any of the following:

• U.S. birth certificate
• U.S. passport
• Certificate of citizenship

If you’re an immigrant, you must provide up-to-date immigration documents, such as your Employment Authorization Document (I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551).

What to do if you think your Social Security number was stolen

If you think someone may have stolen your Social Security number, immediately report it to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov.

Then contact all three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — to ask for a credit freeze. A freeze makes it significantly harder for anyone to open new credit accounts in your name by blocking most lenders from accessing your credit report.

Read more >> How to freeze your credit

Your Social Security number is a key part of your credit journey

Building credit takes time, and protecting your Social Security number is part of protecting that progress. Someone using your Social Security to open accounts in your name can undo that progress faster than you build it. And you may not know until the damage shows up on your credit report.

Kikoff reports your on-time payments to all three credit bureaus and gives you tools to monitor your report and dispute entries you didn't authorize.