Gather Need Identifying Information To Submit With Your Card Replacement Application
The next step is to find original documents youll need to ensure you have the right information. Remember, you are not applying for a new Social Security card but replacing an existing one.
The SS-5 is used for a lot of different purposes, but to replace your Social Security card in Texas you will need documentation to prove your identity and date of birth. Examples of such documents for U.S. citizens include:
- State-issued ID
- U.S. passport
- A valid, unexpired U.S. drivers license
- U.S. birth certificate
If you were born outside the United States, youll have a different set of documents to first prove your U.S. citizenship or proof of legal, work-authorized status.
Be sure to submit legal, original copiesnot photocopies or notarized replacements.
If you are unable to find the right documents, and unable to replace them in a timely manner, you may be able use other documents. Its best to bring these to the Social Security Office rather than mailing them. These documents include:
- Employee identification card
- Health insurance card
- U.S. military identification card
The secondary documents must clearly show your full name, your date of birth or age, and preferably will have a current photograph. If you are in doubt about whether you have the right documents, call the SSA at Call us at 1-800-772-1213 for guidance.
Original Card For A Noncitizen Adult
In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security can apply for a Social Security number . If you do not have permission to work but need an SSN for other purposes, see “If you do not have permission to work” for further information.
Enumeration Beyond Entry
You may be eligible to apply using our automated process called Enumeration Beyond Entry if you are applying to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for work authorization or lawful permanent resident status.
You may not need to visit a Social Security office or Social Security Card center if you apply using the Form I-765 or I-485. If you are approved for either application through USCIS, and elect to apply for an SSN, USCIS will send us the information to issue you an original SSN card or replacement card. You should receive your SSN card no later than 7 to 10 business days after you receive your Employment Authorization Document or I-551 from USCIS. We will mail the card to the address provided on the application. For more information, see âApply For Your Social Security Number While Applying For Your Work Permit and or Lawful Permanent Residencyâ.
Important
You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current . We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
Report Theft To The Irs
This one is important. Reporting your stolen Social Security card to the IRS prevents fraudulent tax returns from being filed. If you dont report the theft immediately, you may be responsible for any fraudulent filings using your original documents. Make sure you cover yourself.
Here is the contact information to help you take this step.
Phone: 1-800-908-4490IRS Website: www.irs.gov/uac/Identity-Protection
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Can I Replace My Social Security Card The Same Day
You can request a replacement Social Security card online the same day you gather your required documents. However, you will not receive your new card that day. Your new Social Security card will take some time to arrive in the mail. Same day replacements cannot be issued because your documents and application must be verified before the new card is issued in order to prevent identity theft.
If you require your Social Security card the same day, then you do have other options. You should complete your application for a replacement , and then visit your local Social Security office. The SSA office can review your application and issue you a receipt which serves as a temporary card on the same day.
While this temporary card will not suffice as an original document, it can be very helpful in a bind when you simply need to provide a copy of your Social Security card. You should also remember that the temporary card is only valid for 30 days, and it should be kept in a secure place. It is just as sensitive as your permanent card because it contains your SSN and other personal information.
Can I Rush My Application With The Ssa

Unfortunately, there is no way to put a rush on your application. If you need a card quickly, then your best bet is to submit your application online. Remember that you can make no other changes to make the request online, so your legal name must remain the same as no name changes are permitted through an online request. You must also have a current U.S. mailing address to complete your request online.
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Apply For A Social Security Card Online
Some states allow you to apply for a lost Social Security card online provided you meet specific requirements. You can do this through your My Social Security account on the SSA website. To create your account, you must be 18 or older, have a U.S. mailing address, a valid email address and your Social Security number. You can only create an account for yourself you cannot create one for someone else under any circumstances. Also, your account should remain private. Don’t share your information with anyone else for any reason.
You can use your account to apply for a replacement card if you are a U.S. citizen 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address and you have a state-issued ID card or driver’s license from a participating state or the District of Columbia. You can check the status of your application using your My Social Security account and learn information about your Social Security benefits, see your statements and review the history of your earnings.
These states are not yet set up to process your application online: Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia. The online service is also not yet available in U.S. territories including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Read More:How to Apply for a Free Social Security Card Online that Was Lost
Social Security Cards: Documents Required To Obtain A Social Security Number And Card Or A Replacement Card
April 2021: All local Connecticut Social Security offices will be closed to the public for in-person service unless you have an appointment. Appointments will be for specific situations where dire needs exist. To locate local site numbers and information please use the website Federal agency administers retirement, survivors, disability, and Medicare benefit provisions of the Social Security Act.
If an individual is unable to conduct business online, check the online field office locator for specific information about how to directly contact a local office in your area. The National 800 number is 1-800-772-1213 and .
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The following information was obtained from the U.S. Social Security Administrations web page at: .
To Obtain a New Social Security Number and Card you will need to provide at least two documents to prove age, identity, and U.S. citizenship or current immigration status.
The new online service allows individuals to get replacement Social Security cards through the Social Security Administration website at: www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber
To Obtain a Replacement Card, if lost or stolen, you must prove your identity and U.S. citizenship.
To prove identity: Social Security must see:
- U.S. drivers license or
- State-issued non-driver identity card or
- U.S. passport.
- Employee ID card
- Letter from doctor, with your name, address, social security number and doctors name, address, and signature
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What Is The Fastest Way To Get A Replacement Social Security Card
The fastest way to get a replacement card is to register for a Social Security account through www.SSA.gov and request the card online. You must meet a few eligibility requirements to complete the request online, but that is the fastest way to get your new card. If you cannot complete the request in person, then you will need to visit the Social Security office. You can learn what documents are required for in-person applications by reading through the instructions for Form SS-5.
Social Security Administration Offers A New Way To Request A Ss Card
The Social Security Administration has made it easier to request a new Social Security card.
You can start by visiting the Social Security Number and Card page, where youll be asked several questions to determine whether you can:
Complete the application process online
Start the application process online and then bring any required documents to your local SS office to complete the application
If you need to visit an SS office, complete the online application and print and save the online control number. Bring the online control number and other required documents to your local office within 45 days to finish your application. You can find your local office using the SSAs Office Locator.
Check in at the kiosk once you arrive and then meet with an employee to verify the information you gave online and hand over your documents for review.
Great news! Need a new or replacement Social Security card? We have a new online SSN card application to make it easier and save you time. Check it out:
Social Security
Once you complete the application online or in person, the SS card will be mailed after your application is processed. According to the SSA, this can take between seven and 10 business days.
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What If I Can’t Apply For A Card Online
If you can’t apply for a Social Security card online, then you will need to show the required documents in person at your local SSA office. The documents needed will depend on your current citizenship status and your age.
Different documents are needed if you are an adult and a U.S.-born citizen, a foreign-born U.S. citizen, or a noncitizen. Also, if you are replacing a Social Security card for a child, you’ll want to check the SSA website to determine which documents you will need.
How To Get A Temporary Social Security Card
Your Social Security card and number are extremely important pieces of your identification. In some cases, simply knowing your Social Security number is enough however, there are times when you must present your card as proof of identification. If you start a new job, apply to a new school, or attempt to open a bank account, it is likely that you will be required to show your physical Social Security card. So, what happens if you cannot find your card or it has been lost? In that case, you need to obtain a replacement Social Security card, and you need to do it quickly. Thankfully, there is a way that you can get a temporary same-day replacement card. If youre wondering how to replace a Social Security card, then keep reading below to learn how.
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How Can Thieves Profit From Stealing My Social Security Card
Fraud artists can manipulate a stolen or lost Social Security card in a lot of waysall of which can lead to you taking a major financial hit. Here are three ways they do it.
Knowing how to get a new Social Security card makes sense given the potential costs if yours is lost or stolen.
How To Request A Replacement Social Security Card

You can replace a lost or stolen Social Security card by starting with a visit online, a trip to a Social Security office or a phone call.
The good news is, the process is straightforward and usually quick. It typically takes about two weeks between the time you report the loss to having a new Social Security card in your hand. Even better news, replacing a lost or stolen Social Security card is free.
The Social Security Administration outlines three basic steps:
You can start the process of ordering a replacement card online at www.ssa.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-772-1213.
If you go to your local Social Security office, youll need to bring identification specifically:
- A U.S. drivers license
- A state-issued non-driver identification card, or
- A U.S. passport
You can fill out an application for a New or Replacement Social Security Number and Card on the Social Security website . You can also download and print out the application.
Keep in mind the Social Security Administration requires that all documents submitted to replace a stolen or lost Social Security card must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. The agency cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
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Documents Required For A Social Security Card Replacement
To successfully get a new social security card you will need to gather some essential original documents or certified copies of the originals, issued by the respective agency.
The documents you need to gather to obtain a Social Security Card must:
Please note that all of these documents must be up to date. The SSA does not accept expired documents. It will not accept receipts that show you had applied for these documents in the past, either.
S For Replacing Your Social Security Card Online
First, youll need to create a my Social Security account. If you already have one, simply enter your username and password to access your dashboard. If not, you must create one using a valid email address.
To create a new account:
- Choose Create a new account on the bottom of the screen.
- Provide some personal information to verify your identity.
- Create a username and password to create your account.
If you already created an account but forgot your credentials, click on Forgot Username? or Forgot Password? to retrieve this information. The SSA will not let you create an account using the same email address twice.
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What Original Documents Do I Need
Citizenship
If you have not already established your U.S. citizenship with us, we need to see proof of U.S. citizenship. We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include:
- U.S. passport
We require this documentation only if you haveNOT already established U.S. citizenship with us.
Name Change
If you need to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us proof of your legal name change. Documents Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:
- Certificate of Naturalization showing the new name or
- Court order approving the name change.
If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records or if you changed your name more than two years ago , you must show us an identity document in your prior name . We will accept an identity document in your old name that has expired.
If you do not have an identity document in your prior name, we may accept an unexpired identity document in your new name as long as we can properly establish your identity in our records.
Identity
We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see:
- U.S. driver’s license
- State-issued non-driver identification card or
- U.S. passport.
- Employee identification card
- Health insurance card or
- U.S. military identification card.
Note
How To Request A Social Security Card Replacement
If all you need is a replacement Social Security card, with no other changes, you can simply request a new card online at the Social Security website. You’ll need to be a U.S. citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address and will have to supply information from a drivers license or state-issued identification card from a participating state or the District of Columbia.
Currently, every state but Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and West Virginia participates in this program. If you’re from Alaska, Delaware, and Wisconsin, note that Social Security will only accept a driver’s license.
This service is not yet available to people whose drivers license or identification card was issued by a U.S. territory, such as Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Note that a new Social Security card can also be requested by filling out the application and returning it via mail to dropping it off at the local Social Security Administration office. Or applicants can go to the local Social Security Administration office and fill out an application there.
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