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- A replacement Social Security card is free, and many adults with a U.S. mailing address can start or complete the process online.
- You may not need a new card if you already know your Social Security number; the physical card is rarely required for ordinary transactions.
- If you must visit an SSA office, bring original or issuing-agency-certified, unexpired documents. Replacement cards are mailed after processing.
What to do first if your Social Security card is lost or stolen
If you know your Social Security number, you may not need to replace the physical card at all. The Social Security Administration says most people only need to provide the number, and a card usually isn’t necessary for everyday identification or employment paperwork.
If you do need a replacement, the card is free. The fastest route is to start through the SSA’s replacement-card service, which asks questions about your situation and directs you to the correct option. Depending on your circumstances, you may finish online or start online and then visit an office with documents.
Start the official SSA replacement-card screening process
Who can replace a Social Security card online?
Many adults can request a replacement through a personal my Social Security account. Online eligibility generally depends on details such as your age, U.S. mailing address, citizenship or immigration status, and whether you’re requesting only a replacement rather than making a more complicated record change.
For eligible U.S.-born adults, SSA’s online service can often handle the request without an office visit. If the system cannot complete the request electronically, it may let you start the application online and schedule an appointment to finish the process in person.
Non-U.S. citizens and some applicants requesting a child’s card usually need to complete the process at a Social Security office or Card Center after starting online. Applicants who need an office visit should follow the instructions generated for their specific case rather than relying on a general document list.
Use the official online Social Security Number applicationDocuments you may need
SSA requires evidence that establishes your identity. Depending on your situation, it may also require proof of U.S. citizenship, age, or immigration and work authorization. Documents must generally be originals or copies certified by the agency that issued them. Photocopies and notarized copies are not accepted, and documents must be current rather than expired.
| Applicant or situation | Examples of documents SSA may accept |
|---|---|
| U.S. citizen adult | U.S. driver’s license, state-issued non-driver identification card, or U.S. passport |
| Child | A document showing the child’s identity, such as a passport, state ID, adoption decree, medical record, religious record, school record, or school ID; the parent or representative must also prove their own identity |
| Non-U.S. citizen adult | Depending on the case, an unexpired I-551 Permanent Resident Card, I-766 Employment Authorization Document, I-94 record, or other qualifying immigration document |
| Record change with replacement | Proof of the requested change, such as a legal name-change document, plus identity and any other evidence SSA requests |
A birth certificate can help establish age or citizenship, but SSA generally does not use it by itself as proof of identity. For a child, the agency may require separate evidence showing the child’s continuing identity after birth.
How to replace a lost or stolen Social Security card online
- Open SSA’s official replacement-card page and answer the screening questions.
- If you qualify for online processing, sign in to or create your personal my Social Security account.
- Enter the requested personal information and confirm your mailing address.
- Submit the request and save any confirmation or reference information.
- If SSA tells you to visit an office, schedule the appointment if that option is offered and bring the required documents.
Do not pay a third-party website to submit a basic replacement request. SSA does not charge for replacement cards, and an online service asking for payment should not be treated as the official application.
What happens if you need an office visit?
Start with the official replacement-card screening process whenever possible. It can tell you whether you need an office appointment and may allow you to self-schedule after beginning the application.
Before going, check the exact document instructions for your citizenship or immigration category. Bring the original documents or certified copies requested by SSA. Your local office cannot print a replacement card while you wait; after SSA completes the request, the card is mailed to you.
If you cannot use the online service, SSA may require Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. You can complete the form before your appointment, but do not mail sensitive identity documents to an address found through an unofficial website.
Find an SSA office and review appointment informationHow long does a replacement Social Security card take?
SSA says replacement cards are mailed after the request is completed and typically arrive within 5 to 10 business days. The timing starts after SSA has finished processing the request, so an office appointment, document problem, or verification issue can add time.
If your card does not arrive within the expected period, use the contact information provided by SSA or call the national number. Keep your mailing address current and make sure the name on the request matches your SSA record unless you are also submitting an approved legal name change.
Replacement limits and common exceptions
In general, SSA limits people to three replacement cards in a year and 10 over a lifetime. Legal name changes, certain immigration-status changes, and some compelling hardship situations may be treated as exceptions, but the agency decides whether an exception applies.
A lost card does not automatically mean your Social Security number has been stolen. Still, treat the number as confidential. If you believe someone is using your SSN for identity theft, take separate fraud-protection steps rather than assuming a replacement card will change the number. A replacement card normally carries the same name and number as the previous card.
Report identity theft and get a recovery planIf you’re in Canada: replace a SIN document, not a U.S. Social Security card
Canada uses a Social Insurance Number, or SIN, rather than a U.S. Social Security number. Service Canada no longer issues plastic SIN cards. If you lost a Canadian SIN card or confirmation letter and know the number, you can usually view and print your SIN through My Service Canada Account or request a Confirmation of SIN.
View or print your SIN through My Service Canada AccountA Confirmation of SIN confirms your existing number; it does not normally create a new one. If you suspect fraud, report the situation through the Canadian SIN program and follow its identity-theft guidance. A new SIN is issued only in limited circumstances where there is clear evidence of misuse.
Confirm or find a Canadian Social Insurance NumberCommon mistakes to avoid
- Replacing the card unnecessarily: If you already know your SSN, ask the employer or organization whether the number alone is sufficient.
- Bringing photocopies: SSA generally requires originals or certified copies, not ordinary photocopies or notarized copies.
- Using an expired ID: Check expiration dates before an office appointment.
- Assuming every office handles card services: Use SSA’s locator and follow the service instructions for your location.
- Sharing your SSN with a caller: Contact SSA through an official number or website instead of responding to an unexpected message.
The safest next step is to use the official replacement-card screening page. It will tell you whether you can complete the request online, need an appointment, or should use a different process for your child, citizenship status, or record change.
Helpful Links
- SSA Replace Social Security card – Start the official screening process for a lost, stolen, or damaged Social Security card.
- SSA Online Social Security Number Application – Use the official online application to request a replacement card or determine whether an office visit is required.
- Canada.ca Damaged, forgotten, or lost SIN – Find or confirm a Canadian Social Insurance Number and learn what to do if a SIN document is lost or stolen.
- Field Office Locator – Official page referenced in the article.
- Social Insurance Number in MSCA – Official page referenced in the article.
- IdentityTheft.gov – Official page referenced in the article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I replace my Social Security card without going to an office?
A. Often, yes. Many eligible adults can complete the request through a personal my Social Security account. If your situation does not qualify for full online processing, SSA may let you start online and schedule an office appointment to finish the application.
Q. Can I use a birth certificate as my only identity document?
A. Usually not. A birth certificate may establish age or citizenship, but SSA generally requires separate proof of identity, such as a current driver’s license, state ID, or passport.
Q. Will replacing my Social Security card change my Social Security number?
A. No. A routine replacement card normally has the same name and Social Security number. SSA changes numbers only in limited situations involving serious ongoing problems or other qualifying circumstances.
Q. What should I do if I lost my Canadian SIN card?
A. Canada no longer issues plastic SIN cards. If you know your SIN, view or print it through My Service Canada Account. If you need official confirmation, request a Confirmation of SIN; it confirms your existing number rather than issuing a new one.
