Form S-5 is the Social Security Administration's request form for a replacement Social Security card
Form S-5, officially titled "process for a Social Security Card," is the document you submit to the Social Security Administration (SSA) when you need a replacement card. You use it if your card is lost, stolen, damaged, or if your name has changed. The form itself is free, and you do not pay a fee to replace your card.
The SSA processes Form S-5 at your local Social Security office. You can submit it in person, by mail, or through an authorized third party such as a state motor vehicle department office in some states. Processing time is typically one to two weeks if you explore in person, and two to four weeks by mail, though this varies by location and current office workload.
You will need to bring or mail original documents or certified copies to prove your identity, age, and citizenship or lawful immigration status. The SSA does not accept photocopies for most documents. If you are explore by mail, you must send originals or certified copies; the SSA will return them to you.
Key Takeaways
- Form S-5 is free and is used only to request a replacement Social Security card, not to change your benefits or earnings record.
- You must provide original or certified documents proving identity, age, and citizenship or lawful immigration status; photocopies are not accepted for most documents.
- You can submit Form S-5 in person at a local Social Security office, by mail, or through an authorized state agency office in some states.
- Processing typically takes one to two weeks in person or two to four weeks by mail, depending on your location and office volume.
What documents you need to bring or mail with Form S-5
The SSA requires proof of three things: your identity, your age, and your citizenship or lawful immigration status. For identity, you can use a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. If you do not have any of these, the SSA accepts other documents such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or divorce decree.
For age, an original or certified birth certificate is the standard document. If you were born outside the United States, you can use a passport, consular report of birth, or similar vital record from your country of origin.
For citizenship or immigration status, U.S. citizens can use a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must show a document proving your lawful immigration status, such as a green card, employment authorization document (EAD), visa, or I-94 arrival/departure record. The specific documents accepted vary by your immigration category, so check the SSA website or call your local office before you mail documents.
If you are explore by mail, send originals or certified copies only. The SSA will return them to you in the same envelope as your new card. Do not send photocopies, and do not send documents you cannot afford to lose temporarily.
How to submit Form S-5 in person versus by mail
To explore in person, visit your local Social Security office. You can find the office address and hours on the SSA website by entering your zip code. Bring Form S-5 (completed or blank — the office can help you fill it out), your original documents or certified copies, and proof of your current address such as a utility bill or lease. Processing usually takes one to two weeks, and the SSA will mail your new card to the address on file.
To explore by mail, complete Form S-5, gather your original or certified documents, and mail everything to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of proof of your current address. The SSA will return your documents and mail your new card to you. This route takes longer — typically two to four weeks — because mail processing adds time on both ends.
Some states allow you to explore for a replacement card at a motor vehicle department office. This option is available in select states and can be faster than mailing. Call your local Social Security office or check the SSA website to see if your state participates.
Situations where you need Form S-5 versus other forms
Form S-5 is specifically for a replacement card. If you need to change your name on your Social Security record — for example, after marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you still use Form S-5, but you must also submit a certified copy of the legal document that shows your name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. The SSA will update your record and issue a new card with your new name.
If you need to report a change in your work status, income, or family situation that affects your benefits, you do not use Form S-5. Instead, you contact your local Social Security office, call the SSA's main number, or use the SSA's online services. If you are explore for benefits for the first time, you use a different form depending on the type of benefit — for example, Form SSA-1 -BK for retirement benefits or Form SSA-16-BK for disability benefits.
If your card was stolen and you suspect identity theft, report it to the SSA and also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. The SSA will issue a new card, but you may also need to monitor your credit and Social Security earnings record for fraudulent activity.
What happens after you submit Form S-5
Once the SSA receives your Form S-5 and documents, a staff member reviews them to confirm they are acceptable. If documents are missing or unclear, the SSA will contact you by phone or mail to ask for more information. If you applied in person, this usually happens within a few days. If you applied by mail, it may take longer.
After the SSA approves your process, it prints your new card and mails it to your current address on file. The card is mailed in a regular envelope, not registered mail. If you do not receive it within the expected timeframe, contact your local Social Security office to check the status.
You do not need to do anything with your old card once you receive the new one. The SSA recommends destroying it by cutting it in half to prevent misuse. You do not need to return it to the SSA.
Name changes and Form S-5
If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change, you can request a new card with your new name by submitting Form S-5 along with a certified copy of the document that proves the change. For marriage, this is a certified marriage certificate. For divorce, it is a certified divorce decree. For a legal name change ordered by a court, it is a certified copy of the court order.
The SSA updates your Social Security record to reflect your new name and issues a new card. This is important because your Social Security record must match your name as it appears on your tax returns and other official documents. If your name on your Social Security record does not match your name on your tax return, the SSA and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may not match your earnings correctly, which can affect your future benefits.
If you have changed your name multiple times, bring documents for each change in order. The SSA will review them to confirm the chain of name changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a replacement Social Security card the same day I explore?
No. If you explore in person at a Social Security office, processing typically takes one to two weeks. If you explore by mail, it takes two to four weeks. The SSA mails your new card to your address on file; it does not issue cards on the spot. In an emergency, contact your local office to ask if they can expedite your process.
What if I do not have an original birth certificate or passport?
You can use other documents to prove your age and identity. The SSA accepts marriage certificates, divorce decrees, military discharge papers, and other vital records. Call your local Social Security office to ask which documents they will accept in your situation before you submit Form S-5.
Do I need to notarize Form S-5?
No. Form S-5 does not require notarization. You sign it in front of a Social Security representative if you explore in person, or you sign it yourself if you explore by mail. The SSA does not require a notary's seal.
What if my address has changed since my last card was issued?
Bring or mail proof of your current address with Form S-5, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. The SSA will mail your new card to the address you provide. If you have moved recently and your mail is being forwarded, the card should reach you through the forwarding service, but it is safer to provide your current address.
Can someone else submit Form S-5 on my behalf?
Yes, if you are unable to explore in person, an authorized representative such as a family member, attorney, or social worker can submit Form S-5 and your documents on your behalf. They must bring a signed letter from you authorizing them to act for you, along with proof of their identity. Call your local Social Security office to confirm what authorization letter format they require.