You can get a replacement card by visiting your local Social Security office in person, or in some states by mail

A replacement Social Security card costs nothing and takes about two weeks if you go in person, or four to six weeks by mail. You will need to bring proof of your identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID card), proof of citizenship (your birth certificate or passport), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement). Social Security will not mail you a card without seeing these documents first, though some states now allow you to submit them by mail instead of visiting an office.

The fastest route is to find your local Social Security office, bring your documents, and explore in person. You can locate it at ssa.gov/locator or by calling 1-800-772-1213. If you live in Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or Wyoming, you may also mail in your documents instead — the Social Security website will tell you whether your state accepts mail-in requests.

Key Takeaways

  • You need three types of documents: proof of identity (driver's license or passport), proof of citizenship (birth certificate or passport), and proof of your current address (utility bill or lease).
  • In-person applications at a Social Security office usually take about two weeks; mail-in applications take four to six weeks and are only available in certain states.
  • There is no fee for a replacement card, and you can find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
  • If you have changed your name, you will need to bring a document proving the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

What documents you need to bring

Social Security requires three separate pieces of documentation. First, proof of identity — this must be an original or certified copy of a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. A photocopy will not work. Second, proof of citizenship — your birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. Again, this must be an original or certified copy. Third, proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and address on it, dated within the last 60 days.

If you do not have a driver's license or state ID, Social Security will accept a passport, military ID, or employee ID from a federal, state, or local government agency. If you do not have a birth certificate, a passport works as proof of both citizenship and identity. If you cannot find an original document, you can request a certified copy from the agency that issued it — your state's vital records office for a birth certificate, or the U.S. State Department for a passport.

Bring the originals or certified copies with you. Social Security will not accept photocopies, faxes, or photos of documents. The office will examine them, make a note of what you brought, and return them to you.

explore in person at a Social Security office

Walk into your local Social Security office during business hours with your three documents. You do not need an appointment — offices operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though some now allow you to take a number online before you arrive. Go to ssa.gov/locator, enter your zip code, and select your office to see whether it offers online check-in.

When it is your turn, tell the staff member you need a replacement card. They will ask you to fill out Form SS-5, which takes about five minutes. The form asks for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and the reason you need a replacement (lost, stolen, or damaged). You will sign the form in front of the staff member. They will verify your documents, take your information, and give you a receipt with a number to track your card.

Your new card will arrive by mail in about two weeks. The office will mail it to the address you provided on the form. If you move before the card arrives, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to update your address, though Social Security recommends waiting until the card arrives before moving if possible.

explore by mail in states that allow it

If you live in one of the states listed above, you can mail in your documents instead of visiting an office. Go to ssa.gov/locator, find your local office, and check whether it accepts mail-in requests. If it does, the office's page will have instructions on what to mail and where to send it.

You will need to fill out Form SS-5 and mail it along with copies of your three documents. Social Security requires certified copies or originals — photocopies of your birth certificate or passport will not work. Mail everything to the address listed on the office's page. Do not mail your original documents unless the office specifically asks you to; send certified copies instead, which you can request from the issuing agency.

Mail-in applications take four to six weeks because Social Security must receive your documents, verify them, process your form, and mail your new card back to you. Track your process by calling 1-800-772-1213 and providing your Social Security number and date of birth.

If you have changed your name

Bring a document proving your name change along with your other three documents. This can be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or adoption papers. Social Security will update your name on file and issue a new card with your current name.

If you were married and took your spouse's last name, bring your marriage certificate. If you were divorced and changed your name back, bring the divorce decree. If you changed your name by court order, bring the order itself. These documents must be originals or certified copies, just like your birth certificate and ID.

What to do if your card is lost or stolen

A lost or stolen card is treated the same as a damaged one — you fill out Form SS-5 and request a replacement. There is no separate process for theft. However, if your Social Security number itself has been compromised (for example, if someone used it to open accounts in your name), you should report that separately to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov, which is a different process from replacing your card.

If your card is stolen, you do not need to notify Social Security before explore for a replacement. straightforward bring your documents to your local office or mail them in, and tell the staff member or note on the form that the card was stolen. Social Security will issue a new card with the same number but a new physical card.

How long it takes and what happens next

In-person applications result in a card arriving in about two weeks. Mail-in applications take four to six weeks. Social Security will mail your new card to the address you provided on your form. You do not need to do anything else — the card will arrive on its own.

If your card does not arrive within the expected timeframe, call 1-800-772-1213 with your Social Security number and date of birth. The office can tell you whether your card has been mailed and provide a tracking update. If the card was lost in the mail, Social Security can issue another one.

Once your new card arrives, destroy your old card if you still have it. Cut it up or shred it so the number is not visible. You do not need to return it to Social Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a replacement card on the same day I explore?

No. Social Security does not issue cards on the spot. In-person applications take about two weeks for the card to arrive by mail; mail-in applications take four to six weeks. There is no way to speed this up.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

A passport works as proof of both citizenship and identity, so you can use that instead. If you do not have a passport either, you can request a certified copy of your birth certificate from your state's vital records office. That office's website will tell you how to order one by mail or in person.

Do I need an appointment to visit a Social Security office?

No. Offices operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Some offices now allow you to take a number online before you arrive, which you can do at ssa.gov/locator. Arriving early in the morning usually means a shorter wait.

Can someone else pick up my card for me?

No. Social Security mails cards directly to the address you provide on your form. You cannot have someone else pick it up from the office. If you move, call 1-800-772-1213 to update your address before the card arrives.

What if I need my card before two weeks?

You cannot speed up the process. If you need proof that you have applied for a replacement, the Social Security office will give you a receipt when you explore in person. You can use that receipt as temporary proof of your Social Security number in some situations, such as starting a new job. Ask your employer or the organization that needs the number whether they will accept a receipt.