Quick answer: Replacing a lost or stolen Social Security card is free. If you’re 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address, you can usually request it online through your my Social Security account at SSA.gov. Otherwise, apply with Form SS-5 and proof of identity. You’re limited to 3 replacement cards a year and 10 in your lifetime.
Losing your Social Security card feels scary, but you often don’t need the card itself, just the number. This guide shows how to replace it for free, what documents you need, how long it takes, and what to do if you think your number was stolen.
Replacing a Social Security card at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free |
| Fastest way | Online with a my Social Security account (age 18+, U.S. mailing address, most states) |
| Other ways | Form SS-5 by mail or at a Social Security office |
| Limits | 3 per year, 10 per lifetime (some exceptions) |
| Name changes | Don’t count toward the limits |
| Phone | SSA: 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) |
How to replace your card online: 5 steps
- Go to SSA.gov/myaccount and sign in, or create an account with Login.gov or ID.me.
- Choose “Request a replacement Social Security card.”
- Answer the questions and confirm your identity details, such as your driver’s license or state ID number, in states that support it.
- Confirm your mailing address where the card will be sent.
- Submit and save the confirmation. Your new card typically arrives by mail.
You can use the online option if you’re 18 or older, have a U.S. mailing address, and aren’t requesting a name change or other change to your record. Some states don’t support all online requests. If yours doesn’t, the site will tell you.
How to apply with Form SS-5
If you can’t apply online, use Form SS-5, the Application for a Social Security Card:
- Download Form SS-5 from SSA.gov or pick one up at an office.
- Fill it out carefully and sign it.
- Gather original documents or certified copies. SSA doesn’t accept photocopies or notarized copies.
- Mail or bring your application and documents to a Social Security office. Check SSA.gov for whether you need an appointment.
- Get your originals back. SSA returns documents you mail.
Documents you’ll need
| You need to prove | Examples SSA accepts |
|---|---|
| Identity | U.S. driver’s license, state ID card or U.S. passport |
| U.S. citizenship (if not already on SSA’s record) | U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport |
| Immigration status (for noncitizens) | Current DHS documents, such as a green card |
| Name change (if changing your name) | Marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order |
Documents must be current, not expired, and must be originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.
Made-up example: a stolen wallet
This is a made-up example to show the steps. It is not a real person.
Tom’s wallet is stolen at a gas station, and his Social Security card was inside. He logs in to his my Social Security account that night and requests a free replacement. Then he places a credit freeze at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion and reports the theft at IdentityTheft.gov. His new card arrives by mail, and no fake accounts are opened.
Do you even need the card?
Often, no. What matters is knowing your number. Many employers, banks and agencies just need you to provide the number, not show the card. SSA also suggests keeping your card in a safe place at home rather than carrying it.
You might need the physical card for some jobs, certain government forms or a REAL ID application in some states. Otherwise, consider leaving the replacement locked away.
Also read: What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen
Think your number was stolen? Do this now
- Freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It’s free.
- Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov to get a recovery plan.
- Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN at IRS.gov to help stop tax-refund fraud.
- Check your credit reports for free each week at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Review your Social Security earnings record in your my Social Security account for jobs you didn’t work.
- Block electronic access to your SSA record if you suspect fraud, by calling SSA.
Replacing your card doesn’t change your number. In rare cases of ongoing misuse and harm, SSA may assign a new number, but it’s a difficult process and doesn’t always help.
Replacing a child’s Social Security card
Parents can request a replacement for a child under 18 using Form SS-5. You’ll typically need:
- Proof of the child’s identity, such as a passport, school record or medical record
- Proof of your identity as the parent
- Proof of the relationship, such as a birth certificate
Online replacement generally isn’t available for children.
Changing your name on your card
After marriage, divorce or a court-ordered name change, update SSA first, then other agencies. Name-change cards don’t count toward the yearly or lifetime limits. You’ll need proof of the name change and proof of identity. Update SSA before filing taxes, so the name on your return matches SSA’s records.
Beware of Social Security scams
- SSA won’t threaten to suspend your number. That’s a scam.
- SSA won’t ask for payment by gift card, wire, crypto or cash to “protect” your number.
- Replacing a card is free. Websites that charge a fee are not SSA.
- Only use SSA.gov. Type it yourself rather than clicking links in texts or emails.
Report scams to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.
When you might need your number or card
| Situation | Usually need |
|---|---|
| Starting a new job (Form I-9) | The card is one acceptable document, but others, like a passport, also work |
| Opening a bank account | Your number |
| Filing taxes | Your number |
| Applying for a loan or credit card | Your number |
| Applying for Social Security benefits | Your number; SSA has your record |
| Getting a REAL ID in some states | Proof of your number, which may be the card, a W-2 or an SSA-1099 |
If a business asks for your full number, ask why they need it and how they protect it. Sometimes the last four digits are enough.
Lost your card and need proof of your number fast?
Some documents show your full Social Security number and may work while you wait for a new card:
- A W-2 from your employer
- A Form SSA-1099 if you receive benefits
- Some pay stubs, depending on the employer
Ask the person requesting proof which documents they accept.
Replacing a card for someone who has died
You generally don’t need to replace a Social Security card for someone who has died. Instead:
- Report the death to SSA. Funeral homes often do this, but confirm it.
- Return any benefit payment for the month of death or later, as SSA requires.
- Notify the three credit bureaus so they can flag the file and help prevent identity theft.
- Keep the card and death certificate with estate records.
Surviving family members may qualify for benefits. Ask SSA when you report the death.
Noncitizens and replacement cards
Lawful noncitizens can replace a card, but the documents differ. You’ll usually need current immigration documents from the Department of Homeland Security, such as a Permanent Resident Card (green card), plus proof of identity. Some cards carry a legend, such as “Valid for work only with DHS authorization.” Changes to that legend don’t count toward replacement limits.
Where to keep your card
- A locked, fireproof box at home with your passport and birth certificate.
- Not in your wallet, purse or car.
- Not in your phone’s photo gallery, which can be hacked or seen by others.
- Memorize your number so you rarely need the card.
Made-up example: a new name after marriage
This is a made-up example to show the order of steps. It is not a real person.
After her wedding, Priya wants to switch to her married name. She brings her marriage certificate and driver’s license to a Social Security office and files Form SS-5. Her new card arrives with her new name and the same number. Then she updates her driver’s license, bank accounts and employer, so her W-2 matches SSA’s records at tax time.
Setting up my Social Security if you don’t have an account
- Go to SSA.gov/myaccount and choose to create an account.
- Sign in with Login.gov or ID.me. These services verify your identity, often with a photo ID and a selfie.
- Use your own email and phone number, never someone else’s.
- Turn on two-step verification for extra security.
Even if you don’t need a card today, creating an account has a bonus: it stops a scammer from creating one in your name first. You can also see your earnings history and estimated benefits there.
How long does it take?
Online requests are usually fastest. Mailed applications take longer because SSA must receive, process and return your documents. SSA mails the new card to the address you provide. If it’s been several weeks, check your request status in your my Social Security account or call SSA.
Common mistakes
- Paying a website to replace your card. It’s free through SSA.
- Sending photocopies instead of originals or certified copies.
- Carrying the new card in your wallet again.
- Not freezing your credit after a theft.
- Using up the yearly limit by requesting cards you don’t need.
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FAQ
How much does a replacement Social Security card cost?
Nothing. SSA replaces lost or stolen cards for free.
Can I get a replacement card online?
Usually yes, if you’re 18 or older, have a U.S. mailing address and use a my Social Security account, in states that support it.
How many replacement cards can I get?
Three per year and 10 per lifetime. Name changes don’t count, and SSA may make exceptions in some hardship cases.
Is it safe to request a card online?
Yes, if you use SSA.gov directly and sign in through Login.gov or ID.me. Never use links from texts or emails, and never pay a third-party site.
Will I get a new Social Security number?
No. A replacement card shows the same number.
Do I need an appointment at a Social Security office?
Policies change, so check SSA.gov or call before you go. Many people can skip the trip entirely by applying online.
Can I get my card the same day?
Generally no. SSA mails the replacement card after processing your request.
Bottom line
A lost Social Security card is easy to replace for free, often online in minutes through my Social Security. Bring original documents if you apply by mail or in person, keep the new card at home, and if your number may be stolen, freeze your credit and report it at IdentityTheft.gov right away.
Last reviewed: Nov. 9, 2026.
Sources: SSA: Replace your Social Security card, SSA: Form SS-5, SSA: Documents you need, SSA POMS: Limits on replacement cards, SSA: Your Social Security Number and Card, IdentityTheft.gov.
Featured image: Photo: U.S. Social Security Administration / Wikimedia Commons, public domain; edited by Nexgen Headlines.
