How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Social Security Card

And Why You Might Not Want To

Social Security Card

Tom Grill / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images

Replacing your lost or stolen Social Security card is something you may not really need or want to do. But if you do, here is how to do it.

Why You Might Not Want to Replace the Card

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), it is far more important that you simply know your Social Security number than it is to actually carry your card with you.
While you may need to know your Social Security number for filling out various applications, you are rarely required to actually show anyone your Social Security card. You do not even need your card when applying for Social Security benefits. In fact, if you carry your card with you, the more likely it is to be lost or stolen, greatly increasing your risk of becoming an identity theft victim.

Guard Against Identity Theft First

Before you even start thinking about replacing your lost or stolen Social Security card, you need to take steps to protect yourself from identity theft.
If your Social Security card has been lost or stolen, or if you suspect your Social Security number is being used illegally by someone else, the SSA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommend that you take the following steps as soon as possible:

Step 1

Place a fraud alert on your credit file to prevent identity thieves from using your Social Security number to open credit accounts in your name or access your bank accounts. To place a fraud alert, simply call the toll-free fraud number of any one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. You only need to contact one of the three companies. Federal law requires the company you call to contact the other two. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies are:

Equifax - 1-800-525-6285
Trans Union - 1-800-680-7289
Experian - 1-888-397-3742

Once you place a fraud alert, you are entitled to request a free credit report from all three credit reporting companies.

Step 2

Review all three credit reports looking for any cases of credit accounts you did not open or charges to your accounts you did not make.

Step 3

Immediately close any accounts you know or think have been used or created illegally.

Step 4

File a report with your local police department. Most police departments now have specific identity theft reports and many have officers dedicated to investigating identity theft cases.

Step 5

File an identity theft complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission, or by calling them at 1-877-438-4338 (TTY 1-866-653-4261).

Do Them All

Note that credit card companies may require you to take all 5 steps show above before they will forgive fraudulent charges made to your accounts.

And Now Replace Your Social Security Card

There is no charge for replacing a lost or stolen Social Security card, so watch out for scammers offering card replacement "services" for a fee. You can replace your own or your child's card, but you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Replacing a card because of legal name changes or changes in U.S. citizenship and naturalization status does not count against those limits.
To get a replacement Social Security card you will need to:

  • Complete Form SS-5 - Application for a Social Security Card. (This form can be used to apply for a new card, to replace your card or to correct information shown on your card.);
  • Present an unexpired original document, like a drivers' license, with identifying information and preferably a recent photograph that proves your identity;
  • Show evidence of your U.S. citizenship if you were born outside the United States and did not show proof of U.S. citizenship when you got your original card; and
  • If you are not a U.S. citizen, show evidence of your current naturalization or lawful noncitizen status.

Replacement Social Security cards cannot be applied for online. You must either take or mail the completed SS-5 application and all required documents to your local Social Security Office. To find your local Social Security service center, see the SSA's Local Office Search website.

12 or Older? Read This

Since most Americans are now issued a Social Security number at birth, anyone aged 12 or older applying for an original Social Security number must appear in person at a Social Security office for an interview. You will be asked to produce documents proving that you do not already have a Social Security number. These documents could include school, employment or tax records showing you never had a Social Security number.

Documents You Might Need

U.S. born adults (age 12 and older) will need to produce documents proving their U.S. citizenship, and identity. The SSA will only accept original or certified copies of documents. In addition, SSA will not accept receipts showing that the documents had been applied for or ordered.

Citizenship

To prove U.S. citizenship, the SSA will only accept an original or certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate, or your U.S. passport.

Identity

Clearly, the goal of the SSA is to prevent unscrupulous people from obtaining multiple Social Security numbers under fraudulent identities. As a result, they will only accept certain documents to prove your identity.
To be accepted, your documents will need to be current and show your name and other identifying information like your date of birth or age. Whenever possible, documents used to prove your identity should a recent photograph of you. Examples of acceptable documents include:

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

Other documents that might be acceptable include:

  • Company employee ID card;
  • School ID card;
  • Non-Medicare health insurance plan card; or
  • U.S. military ID card.

The SSA also provides information on how to get new, replacement, or corrected Social Security cards for children, foreign-born U.S. citizens and noncitizens.

Can You Get a New Social Security Number?

Typically, Social Security numbers are assigned for life. In some cases, however, the Social Security Administration (SSA) might issue new numbers to persons who can prove they have a compelling and immediate need for one.

The SSA may assign a new Social Security number if the applicant is being harassed, abused, or placed in grave danger when using their original Social Security number, or if they can prove that someone has stolen their number and is using it fraudulently. In general, the applicant must provide evidence that their original number is being misused, and that the misuse is causing them significant continuing harm.

According to the SSA, different Social Security numbers will be assigned only if:

  • Sequential numbers assigned to members of the same family are causing problems;
  • More than one person has been assigned or is using the same number;
  • A victim of identity theft continues to be disadvantaged by using the original number;
  • There is a situation of harassment, abuse or life endangerment; or
  • An individual has religious or cultural objections to certain numbers or digits in the original number. (The SSA requires written documentation in support of the objection from a religious group with which the number holder has an established relationship.)


When the SAA assigns a person a different Social Security number, the original number is not destroyed. Instead, the agency cross-references the new number with the original number to make sure the person receives credit for all earnings under both numbers. 

Applying for a New Social Security Number 

Persons wishing to request a new Social Security number must apply in person at a Social Security office and complete an application

Applicants must also provide a statement explaining the reasons for needing a new number along with current, credible, third-party evidence documenting the reasons for needing a new number.

Finally, applicants must provide original documents establishing:

For more information about changing your Social Security number in cases of domestic violence, see New Numbers for Domestic Violence Victims.

To find an SSA office near you, visit the Social Security Office Locator or call 1-800-772-1213. No appointment is necessary. Once the SSA has accepted their application, applicants can expect a new Social Security card in 10 to 14 days.

A new Social Security number is unlikely to solve all problems related to identity theft. Government agencies and some businesses may keep records under persons’ original Social Security numbers. In addition, because credit reporting companies use Social Security numbers and other personal information to identify a person’s credit file, using a new number doesn’t guarantee a fresh start.

The SSA stresses that there is never a fee to apply for an original or new Social Security number or a replacement Social Security card. The application form and information about the supporting documents needed to apply are available online. The form takes just a few minutes to complete. However, some websites persist in claiming that the process is complicated, confusing, and time-consuming, and offering to do it for you—for a fee.

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Longley, Robert. "How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Social Security Card." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/replacing-lost-stolen-social-security-card-3321400. Longley, Robert. (2023, April 5). How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Social Security Card. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/replacing-lost-stolen-social-security-card-3321400 Longley, Robert. "How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Social Security Card." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/replacing-lost-stolen-social-security-card-3321400 (accessed March 19, 2024).