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Start with a blank Social Security card replacement form.
Fill Out Your Social Security Card Replacement Form Online in Minutes
Misplaced your Social Security card? You can complete the Social Security card replacement form easily online with our intuitive tool.
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Click to start filling Before you start,
make sure you have:
Your Social Security number
Your full legal name, date and place of birth, and mailing address
Your parents’ full names and Social Security numbers, if known
A current ID, such as a U.S. driver’s license or state-issued ID
Proof of citizenship or immigration status, if born outside the U.S.
Proof of any name or other record change, if updating your info
How to Get a Replacement Social Security Card in 3 Easy Steps
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Fill in your personal details
Add the required information.
3
Download your completed SS-5 form
Review your details and save your Form SS-5 for your next SSA step.
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What You Should Know About Form SS-5
What is Form SS-5
Form SS-5, officially called the Application for a Social Security Card, is used to request an original card or replace a card. It’s the official social security card replacement form. The Social Security Administration does not charge for issuing a card.
Who needs to fill out Form SS-5
You may need to complete Form SS-5 if you are:
- Requesting a lost Social Security card replacement
- Replacing a stolen, damaged, or unreadable card
- Changing your legal name
- Correcting an error in your SSA record
- Applying for a child’s replacement card
Common Social Security card replacement mistakes
- ! Using Form SSA-5 instead of Form SS-5
- ! Providing expired identity documents
- ! Mailing documents to the wrong SSA office
- ! Forgetting to sign the form
What people use it for
I bring on ten to fifteen contractors a month and used to chase every one of them for a legible form. Now I send this link in the offer email and the signed PDF comes back the same day.
Half our vendors used to send forms as phone photos that finance refused to file. Pointing them here fixed it. The layout matches the official document and nothing gets cut off when it downloads.
What sold me is that the data isn't stored anywhere and the file downloads straight to the signer's machine. I can ask a client to complete one without worrying about where their details end up.
January used to mean tracking down paperwork from every subcontractor. This year I sent one link to the whole roster and had every form back inside a week.
New clients always want a fresh copy and I never have last year's handy. Filling it out here is faster than digging up the PDF, and the fields space themselves so I stop transposing digits.
I keep this bookmarked for the client who calls saying they need a form right now. I walk them through it on the phone in a couple of minutes — open, type, sign, download.
Stuck on a box? Ask before you sign
Most form questions come down to one confusing field. Ask in plain language and get an answer grounded in the official instructions, with an example for your situation.
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Answers track the official form instructions — not generic web advice. When the form has a quirk, it explains it the way the instructions intend.
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It explains what each box means and how people in your situation usually complete it. For a judgment call about your specific taxes, it'll point you to a professional rather than guess.
Social Security Card Replacement FAQs
Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions people have about replacing their card.
How do I replace a lost or stolen Social Security card?
You can replace your card by either applying online via the Social Security website, in person at a Social Security office, or by mail. If you want to apply in person, you’ll need to print and fill out an SS-5 form. Our platform makes it easier to make sure you include all the correct details and finish the form in minutes.
What documents do I need to get a replacement Social Security card?
You generally need current proof of identity. You could use your: U.S. driver’s license State ID U.S. passport The SSA may also request evidence of your citizenship or immigration status. Your documents must be originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. You cannot use photocopies.
How do I get a replacement Social Security card for a child or minor?
The process is similar to applying for a replacement for yourself. You must fill out the SS-5 on behalf of your child. You’ll also have to prove your identity, the child’s identity, and the child’s citizenship.
Is there a limit on how many replacement Social Security cards I can get in a lifetime?
The SSA enforces a maximum of 10 replacement cards within your lifetime, with an additional maximum of 3 per year. If you want to replace your card to have your new legal name or to reflect a change in your immigration status, the maximum limit does not count.
Where do I mail my application and documents for a Social Security replacement card?
You should mail the filled out SS-5 to the Social Security office that serves your address.
Does a Medicare card replace a Social Security card?
No, a Medicare card and Social Security card have completely different functions: Medicare card: Confirms your access to Medicare coverage. Social Security card: Shows your name and Social Security number. Used for employment, tax, and Social Security records.
Can I use a birth certificate to get a replacement Social Security card?
You cannot use your birth certificate as proof of identity. It can prove citizenship, but you’ll also need an ID like a passport.
Can I get a replacement Social Security card without a state ID or driver’s license?
Yes, you can also use your U.S. passport as ID. It may also consider the following documents if you cannot get an ID in 10 days: Employee ID School ID U.S. Military ID Non-Medicare health insurance card
Are replacement Social Security card requirements different depending on the state?
The main document requirements are federal. However, your ability to apply online may depend on your state and identification. Check with your local Social Security office or the official website to see which rules apply in your state.
How do I update my name on my Social Security card after getting married or divorced?
You just need to fill out an SS-5, and provide proof of identity that shows your new legal name.
Why shouldn’t I laminate my Social Security card?
You should never laminate your card because lamination can prevent its security features from being detected.
How do I replace a damaged, washed, or torn Social Security card?
It’s the same way you replace it for any other reason. Apply online, mail the application form, or make an in-person appointment at your local Social Security office.
What should I do if someone is using my stolen Social Security number to commit fraud?
You should report the identity theft immediately through identitytheft.gov and follow its recovery plan. You can consider: Freezing your credit Checking your Social Security earnings record Responding quickly to unfamiliar accounts or tax notice
Can I use an ITIN to request a Social Security replacement card?
No, an ITIN is not used to get a replacement Social Security card. An ITIN is given to someone not eligible for a Social Security number.
How do I update my Social Security card after becoming a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?
You must apply for a replacement social security card, and include an ID that shows your new immigration or citizenship status. You must fill out SS-5, which you can do online in minutes using our tool.
How do I replace a lost Social Security card if I am currently living abroad or outside the U.S.?
You can apply for a new card using Form SS-5-FS. You can do this at the following locations: Embassy Consulate Federal Benefits unit Military post
Can I use a Power of Attorney or legal guardianship to request a replacement Social Security card for an adult?
A Power of Attorney alone may not be sufficient. A court-appointed guardian may be able to apply for an SSC replacement with proof of identity and guardianship, but you should contact the SSA before submitting this type of request.
Do I need to get a replacement Social Security card or report the loss for a deceased family member?
If someone has passed away, they will not be issued a new SS card. You do not need to report a lost card if the person has passed away.
What should I do if my name on my Social Security card does not match my Real ID or driver’s license?
If this is the case, you should complete the SS-5 with your correct details in order to get a replacement card that shows the same name as your ID.
What should I do if my replacement Social Security card was mailed but I never received it?
Contact your local Social Security office and let them know that you never received your card. It can take up to 10 days to arrive, so do not contact them after just a few days.
How do I get a replacement Social Security card for an adopted child or a child in foster care?
To do this, you need to provide proof of: Your identity The child’s identity Your legal custody or responsibility
How can active-duty military personnel or veterans replace a lost Social Security card?
Active personnel can easily replace their card using the standard replacement process: applying online or filling out the SS-5 and mailing it or bringing it to an in-person appointment. You may be able to use your military ID as proof of identity. You also may be able to book your appointment at a U.S. consulate, embassy, or military post.
How do I replace my Social Security card to remove the “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION” restriction?
If your immigration or work status changes, you can request a replacement card. You’ll need to show proof of identity and your current DHS status. You could use a Green Card or qualifying employment-authorization document. If you become a naturalized citizen, you should provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
How do I request a replacement card if my date of birth is incorrect in Social Security records?
You need to request a new card that shows your correct date of birth, as shown on your ID. You can use our SS-5 template to quickly complete the form online in minutes.
Will the SSA change my Social Security number when issuing a replacement card if my number was compromised?
Usually, your new card will have the same Social Security number. This means that you do not have to contact relevant parties to let them know that your number has changed. The SSA will only assign you a new number in limited cases, such as: Continuing identity-theft harm after attempts to resolve it Duplicate-number problems Harassment Abuse Life endangerment
How do I replace my Social Security card to update my sex or gender marker?
Your sex is not shown on your Social Security card, so you normally do not need a new card.
What should I do if my newborn’s Social Security card was applied for at the hospital but never arrived?
It can take up to 2 weeks to make the card and another two weeks for delivery. If you still have not received it after a month, contact your local SS office and ask them for advice.