If your Social Security card is lost or stolen, you can get a replacement card through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Additionally, this request can be completed online if you live in one of the 45 states where the SSA has the online service available. In this post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process for Social Security lost card replacement online, including the documents you need to complete the process.
Table of Contents
- What Should I Do if I Lost My Social Security Card?
- How to Apply for a Replacement Social Security Card Online
- Replacement Social Security Card Online Steps
- How to Apply for a Replacement Social Security Card in Person
- Social Security Lost Card Replacement FAQs
- Summary
What Should I Do if I Lost My Social Security Card?
If you lost your security card, you’ll need to request a replacement card from the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can apply for a replacement card online.
However, the online replacement process is not available in all 50 states.
Here’s what you need to know about applying for a replacement Social Security card online:
How to Apply for a Replacement Social Security Card Online
You can get a replacement Social Security card online if you are just replacing an existing card without any change in information.
Change in information is defined as changes to your name, date of birth, place of birth, and/or gender.
You can do this online once you have set up a “my Social Security account” on the Social Security Administration’s website.
However, getting your replacement card online is not available in all states.
Here are the states that DO NOT currently qualify for online card replacement:
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
In Alaska, Delaware, and Wisconsin, the online service is available only if you have a driver’s license.
Furthermore, the online service is also not yet available if your driver’s license or identification card was issued by a U.S. territory.
This includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Eligibility to Apply for a Replacement Card Online
You can use a mySocial Security account to apply for a replacement Social Security card online if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses);
- Are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card; and
- Have a driver’s license or state-issued identification card from one of the many participating states or the District of Columbia.
If you meet the criteria outlined above, follow the steps below to apply for your replacement Social Security card online.
Replacement Social Security Card Online Steps
Follow the steps below to get a replacement Social Security card online if you live in a state that is not listed above.
Step 1 – Sign-in to mySocialSecurity Account
Click here to sign in to your mySocial Security account.
If you need help signing in, see our mysocialsecurity login help article. If you do not have a mySocialSecurity account, see our how to create an account post here.
After signing in to your personal mySocial Security account, select the “Replace Documents” link on the upper right-hand side of the screen.
Next, select the “Request a Replacement Card.” link as shown below.
Step 2 – Verify Your Email Address
Next, you have to verify your email address to continue with the process.
To verify your email address, select the location where your driver’s license or identification card was issued.
Then you should answer “Yes” or “No” to the background questions; then, select “Next”.
Step 3 – Verify Your Identity
The next step in the process to getting a replacement social security card is to verify your identity to make sure you are who you say you are.
To do that, enter the information under “Identity Verification” as shown below, including:
- Your name
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- Driver’s License, or state-issued identification information
- Address
- Phone Number
Step 4 – Request Your Replacement Social Security Card
Once you have successfully verified your identity, you can now request your replacement Social Security card online.
After you are done with this step, click on the “Done” button, as shown below.
Congratulations!!! You have successfully requested a replacement for your Social Security card online.
How to Apply for a Replacement Social Security Card in Person
If you don’t want to apply online or can’t create an online account, you can visit your local SSA office.
Before visiting your Social Security office, you will need to do two things:
Complete Social Security Form SS-5
The first step in the process is to complete Social Security form SS-5. This is an 18 part form. Be sure to complete all the sections required.
Some of the information you will have to enter in the form include:
- Name (Full name at birth and other names)
- Social Security Number
- Place of Birth
- Date of Birth
- Mother’s name and her SSN
- Father’s name and his SSN
- Daytime Phone Number
- Mailing Address
For more information on form SS-5 and how to complete the form, see our post on the Complete Guide to Social Security Form SS-5.
Gather Required Documents
Here are the documents you will need to submit your application for a replacement Social Security card.
- U.S. passport
- Birth certificate
- Driver’s license
- State-issued ID card
For non-residents, here are the document requirements:
- A government-issued ID card
- Form I-551
- Form I-766
- I-94 Form
- Form I-20 (For F-1 students only)
You need originals of all the documents requested. Photocopies and notarized copies are not acceptable.
Visit the Social Security Office
The last step in the process is to submit the documents to your nearest Social Security office.
Click here to find a Social Security office near you.
Alternatively, you can send a completed Form SS-5 along with your identification documents to your local Social Security office by mail.
Social Security Lost Card Replacement FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about how to replace a lost Social Security card.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Replacement Social Security Card?
If you can get to your local Social Security office just before opening, you can get your replacement card the same day.
However, it depends on whether you have all the relevant documents with you to complete the process.
Also, due to COVID-19, your local office may be closed, which means you will have to mail in the paperwork or set up an appointment.
If your form and supporting documents are mailed in, it can take up to 2 weeks to get your replacement card in the mail.
What documents do I need to replace a lost SS card?
Here are the documents you will need to submit your application for a replacement Social Security card.
- U.S. passport
- Birth certificate
- Driver’s license
- State-issued ID card
For non-residents, here are the document requirements:
- A government-issued ID card
- Form I-551
- Form I-766
- I-94 Form
- Form I-20 (For F-1 students only)
You need originals of all the documents requested. Photocopies and notarized copies are not acceptable.
Can you get a replacement Social Security card on the same day?
It depends on how busy your local Social Security office is.
Also, because of COVID-19 Social Security office closings, it may be a challenge to get your SS card on the same day.
However, you can complete the form SS-5 form and bring it to your local Social Security office with the supporting documents required and ask if it can be processed the same day.
Can I replace a Social Security card online?
Yes, you can request a replacement Social Security card online through the “my social security” online portal as long as there are no changes in your information.
Otherwise, you will have to submit your application by mail or in person at a Social Security office.
Change in information is defined as changes to your name, date of birth, place of birth, and/or gender.
How do I request a replacement Social Security card?
You can request a replacement Social Security card online, as long as there are no changes in your information.
This can be done through the “my social security” online account portal. If you do not have a my social security account, you will have to create one.
Also, you will have to live in one of the 45 states where the Social Security Administration offers the online service for card replacement.
Otherwise, you will have to submit your application by mail or in person at a Social Security office.
Change in information is defined as changes to your name, date of birth, place of birth, and/or gender.
Social Security Lost Card Replacement Summary
Here’s the bottom line:
You can apply for a replacement Social Security card online if you are not changing any information, as long as the service is available in your state.
If you would rather apply in person, here’s what you have to do:
First, you must fill out Form SS-5 to obtain a replacement Social Security card.
Next, you must provide supporting documents that prove your age, identity, and citizenship status, and those must be original or certified by the agency that issued them, not photocopies.
Unless you are applying for a replacement card with no changes, you can only submit your application by mail or in person at a Social Security office.
Change in information is defined as changes to your name, date of birth, place of birth, and/or gender.
Questions?
If you found this article about Social Security Lost Card Replacement helpful, please help us get the word out by sharing it using the “Share This” button below.
If you have any questions about Social Security, please ask us in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles on:
Third Stimulus Check FAQs
What is the Third Stimulus Check Release Date?
Second Stimulus check for $600: Update
Direct Express Stimulus Check Deposit Date
How to Login my Social Security Account
Direct Express Dispute Resolution Help
2022 Social Security Payment Dates
