Social Security Card Replacement
Updated October 2026 · 2026 figures from the Social Security Administration and IRS
Social Security card replacement is free and most adult U.S. citizens can request it online through a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. The card arrives by mail, usually 5 to 10 business days after SSA processes it. Noncitizens and people who can't verify online apply with Form SS-5 at an office. Limit: 3 replacements a year, 10 in a lifetime.
Retirement Rules Guide is an independent site, not the Social Security Administration. We can't process applications or see your record; every official action below happens at ssa.gov, by phone with SSA or at an SSA office.
Below: the online steps, the documents for an in-person request, what to do if your card was stolen and how to avoid paying sites that charge for a free service.
Do you actually need a replacement card?
Often you don't. SSA itself says that if you know your number, you usually don't need the card (SSA). Your number appears on your tax returns, W-2s and your Social Security Statement. You'll typically need the physical card only for a new job's I-9 (where it's one of several accepted documents) or some state ID applications.
Social Security card replacement online
- Check whether you need the card. Most of the time you only need to know your number. Employers and banks rarely need the physical card.
- Sign in to my Social Security. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in with Login.gov or ID.me (or create an account).
- Request the replacement. Choose 'Request a replacement Social Security card', verify your identity and confirm your mailing address.
- Wait for the mail. Your card arrives by mail, usually 5–10 business days after SSA finishes the request.
If the online system can't verify you, you can start the request online and finish it at an office or Card Center within 45 days (SSA publication 05-10512).
In person: documents you'll need
Bring a completed Form SS-5 and originals or copies certified by the issuing agency — not photocopies or notarized copies (SSA publication 05-10512):
| Proof of | U.S. citizen adult | Noncitizen |
|---|---|---|
| Identity (current, with photo) | Driver's license, state ID card or U.S. passport | Current immigration document plus foreign passport |
| Citizenship or immigration status | Only if SSA doesn't already have it: U.S. birth certificate or passport | Current DHS document (I-551, I-94 with passport, or EAD I-766) |
| Age | Only if not already on record | Only if not already on record |
Call ahead or book a Social Security appointment to avoid long waits. The office can't print your card on the spot; it's always mailed.
Is there a limit on Social Security card replacement?
Yes: three replacement cards a year and ten in a lifetime (20 CFR 422.103). Cards issued because of a legal name change or an update to immigration status don't count, and SSA can make exceptions for proven hardship.
Card lost or stolen? Protect your number first
- Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov (Federal Trade Commission) if you think someone may use your number.
- Place a free credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
- Create your my Social Security account yourself so nobody else can open one in your name.
- Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN to block fraudulent tax returns.
- Check your Social Security Statement for earnings you didn't earn.
A replacement card has the same number. SSA issues a new number only in rare cases, such as ongoing harm from identity theft or domestic violence — see how to get a new Social Security card.
Replacing a child's card
Parents can't use the online service for a child. Apply with Form SS-5, the child's birth certificate (if SSA doesn't have it), proof of the child's identity (passport, school or medical record) and your own ID, by mail or at an office.
Frequently asked questions
How do I replace my Social Security card?
Sign in to your my Social Security account at ssa.gov and request a replacement. If you can't do it online, complete Form SS-5 and bring original documents to a Social Security office.
How much does it cost to replace a Social Security card?
Nothing. Replacing a Social Security card is free. Sites that charge a fee are not SSA.
How long does it take to get a replacement Social Security card?
Usually 5 to 10 business days by mail after SSA completes your request. SSA says online requests typically arrive in less than two weeks.
Can I get a replacement Social Security card the same day?
No. Offices don't print cards. If you need proof of your number quickly, your benefit verification letter or tax documents may work, depending on who's asking.
How many times can I replace my Social Security card?
Three times a year and ten times in your life. Replacements due to a legal name change or a change in immigration status don't count toward the limit.