If your Social Security card is lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed, or if your legal name changes, you can apply for a new card at no charge. You must submit a completed application form, along with documents proving your identity and social security eligibility.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Collecting the Necessary Files
Step 1. Gather the right files
You must prove your citizenship and identity as an adult-United States-born, United States-born child, United States citizen-adult foreign-born, or United States-born foreign-born citizen, when applying for a replacement card. Foreign nationals, both adults and children, must prove their immigration status, employability and identity.
Step 2. Prepare your United States passport, or original United States birth certificate
The following people must submit a United States passport or birth certificate to a Social Security Officer (PJS) to prove their citizenship when changing or repairing a social security card:
- United States-born adults.
- United States-born children.
- Overseas-born adult United States citizen. If you do not have a United States passport, you can submit the original Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Certificate of Birth Report (DS-1350), or Consular Report of Overseas Birth.
- United States citizens-children born abroad. If the child does not have a passport, you can submit a Certificate of Birth Report, Consular Report of Foreign Birth, or Certificate of Citizenship.
Step 3. Prove your identity
Everyone must submit the following proof of identity to PJS when replacing or repairing a social security card:
- Adults born in the United States, U. S. citizens-adults born overseas and parents of U. S. citizens applying for a social security card for their child must submit original, valid documents containing their name, date of birth or age, and preferably a photo latest. The document in question is a United States driver's license, an ID card issued by the state, or a United States passport. You can prepare an employee ID card, student ID card, health insurance card, or United States military membership card if you don't have any of these documents and can't get a replacement card within ten days.
- Children born in the United States, and citizens of the United States-children born abroad must submit original documents containing their name, date of birth, age or parental names, and preferably a recent photograph. These documents can include a United States passport; child's identity card issued by the state; adoption statement letter; medical history card from a doctor, clinic or hospital; religious records, child care center records; or student card.
- Foreign nationals who apply for a social security card for their child who is a United States citizen must submit a valid Department of Homeland Security document, namely a Permanent Residence Card, Arrival/Departure Card with a valid passport, or EAD, Work Permit from the Department of Security Domestic.
- Foreign workers and students (F-1 or M-1 visa holders), or visitor exchange program participants (J-1 or J-2 visa holders) must submit valid Department of Homeland Security documents, including a Permanent Residence Permit Card, Arrival/Departure Card with a valid foreign passport/entry stamp on a valid foreign passport, or Work Rights Document from the Department of Homeland Security.
- Foreign nationals-children must submit a Permanent Residence Permit Card, a Departure Card with a valid foreign passport; or EAD / Work Permit from the Department of Homeland Security. If you do not have a Department of Homeland Security document, provide the original document containing the child's name, date of birth, age or parent's name, and preferably a recent photograph. In addition, PJS may accept: State-issued child identity cards; adoption statement letter; medical history records of doctors, clinics, or hospitals; religious records, child care center records; or student card.
Step 4. Proof of immigration status
Foreign nationals must submit documents proving their immigration status in addition to proof of identity. Provide PJS with proof of immigration status when changing or repairing a social security card:
- Adult and child foreign nationals must submit their valid United States immigration documents, namely: Official Permanent Residence Card, Electronic Immigrant Visa; Work Rights Documents, EAD, Work Permits; Arrival/Departure Card/Entry stamp on a valid foreign passport.
- Foreign students (holders of F-1 or M-1) visas must also present a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status.
- Visitor exchange program participants (J-1 or J-2 visa holders) must present a Certificate of Eligibility for Visitor Exchange Status.
Step 5. Proof of employability
In addition to proof of identity, foreign nationals must also submit documents proving their employability. Present the following proof of employability to PJS when replacing or repairing a social security card:
- Foreign workers must submit Arrival/Departure Cards for adults or children, or a valid foreign passport with an entry stamp indicating the entry class of the work permit. Some foreign workers will be asked to show Work Rights Documents, EAD, Work Permits from the Department of Homeland Security.
- Students holding F-1 visas must prepare a letter from the relevant school identifying the student, confirming the student's current school status and also identifying the employer and the type of work to be performed. In addition, the Social Security Administration may require proof of the applicant's employment, for example: recent payslips; a dated employment statement signed by the manager; date started work; long working hours; and the manager's name or contact information. In addition, where applicable, the applicant may be required to present an I-20 form with a completed job page signed by a designated school official, and/or a work permit from the Department of Homeland Security.
- J-1 visa holders must prepare the original letter signed by the sponsor on the sponsor's letterhead confirming the work.
- If the adult or child applicant does not have a work permit but has a current social security number, the applicant must prepare the original letter on letterhead from the government agency that the applicant originally required to obtain the social security number and services. The letter should: specifically introduce the adult or child applicant; citing laws requiring Social Security numbers; certify that an adult or child applicant meets all the requirements of a government agency, except for obtaining his/her social security number; and include the contact name and telephone number of the government agency.
Step 6. Provide evidence and reasons for the name change
When applying for a card repair due to a name change, you must provide PJS with proof of the following name change, namely:
- Marriage documents
- Naturalization Certificate showing the new name.
- A court order approving the name change.
- Divorce decree.
- The child applicant may also provide: a recent adoption statement with a new name; a court order approving the name change; or change the birth certificate with a new name.
- If an adult or child applicant does not have these documents, they can submit an identity document with an expired previous name.
Part 2 of 3: Completing the Application Letter
Step 1. Get the application letter online or at the Social Security Office
- Download the application letter on the internet at the following link
- Print the application letter on standard size white paper or A4 paper.
Step 2. Write the answer in blue or black ink
You must write the answer to each part of the application letter clearly in blue or black ink. Pencils and other ink colors will not be accepted.
Step 3. Fill in the name field
Fill in your first name, middle name, and last name completely.
If the name to be listed on the new card is different from your birth name, both must be included. Also indicate any other names used between the two periods
Step 4. Enter your social security number
Write down the previous social security number clearly.
Step 5. Complete your place and date of birth
Complete the city and state or city and country (foreign) in the place of birth column.
- Do not abbreviate place of birth.
- For date of birth, fill in the form in month, date, year format -- using numbers, not letters.
Step 6. Write down your citizenship status
Indicate whether you are a citizen of the United States, a foreign citizen with an official work permit, an official foreign citizen without a work permit, or others.
If you don't have a work permit, remember that you must attach a government document explaining why you are eligible to have a social security number
Step 7. Volunteer your race and ethnicity
This information is not mandatory and is only requested for statistical purposes.
- In the ethnic section, you would mark Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.
- In the race column, you can mark Hawaiian, American Indian, Alaskan, Asian, Black/Afro-American, White, or Other Pacific Islander.
Step 8. Mark your gender
Put a check mark in the “male” or “female” box.
Step 9. Complete your parental information
You must fill in the full name of the parent along with their social security number.
If the social number is unknown, put a check mark in the “unknown” box
Step 10. Answer all the remaining questions on the form
The first remaining question is whether the applicant has received a social security number before. Since this form is intended for card replacement or repair, your answer should be “yes”, and you must answer the remaining two questions on the form.
- You must register the name that appears on the most recent card issued for that person.
- You must also write down any birth dates that are different from the previous application letter.
Step 11. Write down your contact information
You must write down a phone number that is active during the day and a current mailing address.
Fill in the mailing address where you want the new card to be sent
Step 12. Sign and date the application letter
Write the current date, sign and write full name in the space provided.
You should also list your relationship with the applicant in the application letter. This relationship can be “self,” “biological or adoptive parents,” “guardian,” or “other.”
Part 3 of 3: Submitting an Application
Step 1. Know the location of your local Social Security Card office
Do not send application letters to Social Security Administration headquarters. You should know the location of the local Social Security Office that is responsible for serving your geographic area. The location of your local Social Security Office can be found at:
Step 2. Submit the application letter and supporting documents by post or in person
Collect the completed application letter and all required documents. Submit it directly to your local Social Security Office or mail it to that office's mailing address.
- Remember if the card is not printed on the spot, then you will not receive a replacement card on the same day as the application letter.
- Your document will be returned if sent by post.
Step 3. Request a receipt if necessary
If you need direct proof of your application for a new card, you can ask your local Social Security Office employee for proof to confirm your application.
Remember that proof can be requested when you apply, not before or at a later date
Step 4. Wait for your new card to arrive
After receiving a complete application letter and all required supporting documents, your application will be processed and a new social security card will be printed in a safe place. This card will be sent to you via the United States postal service.
It usually takes 7-14 working days
Tips
- You can replace your Social Security Card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you may not need a replacement card -- the important thing is knowing what your social security number is. You are limited to changing cards up to three (3) times a year and 10 cards for life. Name changes do not count towards these limits. This limit also doesn't matter if you can prove that you need a card to prevent serious trouble.
- Remember that all documents submitted with your application must be in original or certified copies by the competent authority. Photocopies and notarized copies will not be accepted
- If you need to legalize copies of United States documents proving birth, marriage, or divorce, you can also do so by clicking:
- To store your new card safely, you must store it in a safe place in your home, such as a safe or locked cupboard along with other important documents. Don't carry your social security card everywhere.
- You can only get a maximum of three replacement cards in a year or 10 replacement cards for life -- changes in legal name and immigration status do not count towards this limit.
