Replacing a Lost or Stolen Card PDF Print E-mail

Replacement Social Security Card for a U.S. Born Adult Citizen

You can replace your Social Security card free if it is lost or stolen.  However, you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime.  Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits.  For example, changes in immigration status that require card updates may not count toward these limits.  In addition, Social Security can make exceptions the limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.

To get a replacement card:

Citizenship

Social Security can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship.  The documents they can accept include:

  • U.S. birth certificate,
  • U.S. consular report of birth,
  • U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or
  • Certificate of Citizenship

Identity

Social Security can accept only certain documents as proof of identity.  An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph.  For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your:

  • U.S. driver's license;
  • State-issued no driver identification card; or
  • U.S. passport

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, Social Security will ask to see other documents, including:

  • Employee ID card;
  • School ID card;
  • Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
  • U.S. military ID card

Social Security may use one document for two purposes.  For example, they may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.  Social Security cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

Social Security will mail your card as soon as they have received all of your information and have verified your documents.  Your replacement card will have the same name and number as your previous card.

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place.  It is an important document.

____________________________________________________________________

Replacement Social Security Number Card for a U.S.-born Child

You can replace your child's Social Security card free if it is lost or stolen.  You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during a lifetime.  Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits.  For example, changes in immigration status that require card updates may not count toward these limits.  In addition, Social Security can make exceptions to these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.

To get a replacement card for your child, you must:

  • Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
  • Show documents to Social Security proving your child's:
    • U.S. citizenship (if your child has not already established citizenship with Social Security); and
    • Identity
  • Show documents to Social Security proving your identity.
  • Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office .

Citizenship

Social Security can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship.  The documents they accept include:

  • U.S. birth certificate,
  • U.S. consular report of birth,
  • U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or
  • Certificate of Citizenship

Identity

Your child: Social Security can accept only certain documents as proof of your child's identity.  An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your child's name, identifying information (age, date of birth or parent's names) and preferably a recent photograph.  They generally can accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify the child (such as the child's name and age, date of birth or parents' names).  Social Security prefers to see the child's U.S. passport.  If that document is not available, they may accept the child's:

  • Adoption decree;
  • Doctor, clinic or hospital record;
  • Religious record (e.g., baptismal record);
  • Daycare center or school record; or
  • School identification card

You: Social Security also must see proof of your identity.  An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph.  For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your:

  • U.S. driver's license;
  • State-issued non-driver identification card; or
  • U.S. passport

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, Social Security will ask to see other documents, including:

  • Employee ID card;
  • School ID card;
  • Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
  • U.S. military ID card

If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see a current DHS document. Acceptable documents include:

  • Form I-551 (includes machine-readable immigrant visa with your unexpired foreign passport);
  • I-94 with your unexpired foreign passport; or
  • Work permit card from the Department of Homeland Security (I-766 or I688B).

Social Security may use one document for two purposes.  For example, they may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.  Social Security cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

Social Security will mail your child's card as soon as they have received all of your child's information and have verified the documents.  Your child's replacement card will have the same name and number as the previous card.

Keep your child's Social Security card in a safe place.  It is an important document.  Do not carry it with you.