You can get a replacement card by mail, in person, or online depending on your state

The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues replacement cards for free through three routes: online at ssa.gov (available in most states), by mail, or by visiting a local Social Security office in person. Which route works for you depends on whether your state offers online service, whether you have a driver's license or state ID, and how quickly you need the card. Online is fastest where available — usually 1 to 2 weeks. Mail takes 2 to 4 weeks. In-person visits at an SSA office can be same-day in some cases, but you will need an appointment.

You do not need to prove you have "lost" the card or explain why you need a new one. The SSA will issue up to three replacement cards per year and nine in your lifetime, with no questions asked. The only requirement is that you prove your identity and citizenship or legal residency status.

Key Takeaways

  • Online replacement through ssa.gov is the fastest option in most states and requires only a driver's license or state ID.
  • You will need to prove your identity and either U.S. citizenship or legal residency — a driver's license alone is not enough.
  • Mail-in requests take 2 to 4 weeks and require Form SS-5 plus copies of identity and citizenship documents.
  • In-person visits at a Social Security office require an appointment and can sometimes produce a card the same day.
  • The card itself is free, and there is no charge for replacement regardless of how many times you have requested one before.

Applying online through ssa.gov

Online replacement is available in most states and is the fastest route if you may have access to. You will need a valid driver's license or state ID, a Social Security number, and an email address. The SSA will verify your identity electronically using information from your state's motor vehicle records, so the process takes only a few minutes.

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and create a my Social Security account if you do not already have one. Once logged in, select "Replace your Social Security card" and follow the prompts. You will confirm your personal information, choose whether you want the card mailed to your current address or a different one, and review your request. The SSA will mail the card to you in 1 to 2 weeks.

Online service is not available in all states. If your state does not offer it, or if you do not have a driver's license or state ID, you will need to use the mail or in-person route instead.

Requesting a card by mail using Form SS-5

To request a replacement card by mail, you will need to complete Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card), available at ssa.gov or at any Social Security office. You will also need to provide copies of documents proving your identity and citizenship or legal residency.

For identity, the SSA accepts a driver's license, passport, state ID, or other government-issued photo ID. For citizenship or residency, you can use a U.S. birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card (green card). Make copies of both documents — do not send originals. Mail the completed form and copies to your local Social Security office. You can find the address at ssa.gov/locator or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks from the date the SSA receives your request. If you need the card sooner, consider visiting an office in person or using online service if available in your state.

Visiting a Social Security office in person

You can walk in to any Social Security office with the required documents, but the SSA now requires an appointment for most visits. Call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule one, or book online at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your original identity document (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and your original citizenship or residency document (birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate, or green card).

Some offices can issue a card on the spot or within a few days. Others will mail it to you. Call ahead or ask when you arrive to find out what your local office can do. If you are replacing a card because it was lost or stolen, bring a police report if you have one — it is not required, but it can speed up the process.

What documents prove your identity and citizenship

The SSA has a specific list of documents it will accept. For identity, bring one of these originals: U.S. driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or federal employee ID. A birth certificate, school ID, or library card will not work on its own.

For citizenship or legal residency, bring one of these originals: U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, passport card, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, or permanent resident card (green card). If you were born outside the U.S. and do not have a passport or naturalization certificate, a green card is your best option. If you have none of these, you will need to contact the SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 to discuss alternatives.

If you are applying by mail, make copies of both documents. If you are applying in person or online, bring the originals — the SSA will not accept copies for in-person visits.

Replacing a card that was lost or stolen

You do not need to report a lost or stolen Social Security card to the SSA itself. However, if your card was stolen as part of identity theft, you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). These steps protect your credit, not your Social Security number, but they make it harder for someone to open accounts in your name.

When you request a replacement card, you can mention that it was lost or stolen. If you have a police report, bring it with you — it may speed up the process, though it is not required. The replacement card will have the same number as your original; the SSA does not issue new numbers for lost or stolen cards.

If you need the card urgently

If you need a Social Security card within days rather than weeks, your best option is to visit a Social Security office in person with an appointment. Some offices can issue a card the same day or within a few days, though this varies by location. Call 1-800-772-1213 to book an appointment and ask whether your local office can issue a card quickly.

If your state offers online service and you have a driver's license or state ID, that is your next-fastest option at 1 to 2 weeks. Mail service takes 2 to 4 weeks and is the slowest route.

If you need proof that you have applied for a card before it arrives, ask the SSA office or representative for a letter confirming your request. Some employers and agencies will accept this as temporary proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring my old card when I apply for a replacement?

No. If you have your old card, you can bring it, but it is not required. If the card was lost or stolen, you obviously will not have it. Just bring your identity and citizenship documents.

Can someone else pick up my card from the Social Security office?

No. The SSA will only release the card to you in person. If you cannot pick it up, request that it be mailed to you instead.

What if I do not have a birth certificate or passport?

If you were born in the U.S. but do not have a birth certificate, you can request one from the vital records office in the state where you were born. If you are a permanent resident or have legal residency status, a green card or other immigration document will work. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your specific situation.

Will I get the same Social Security number on my new card?

Yes. A replacement card has the same number as your original. The SSA only issues a new number in rare cases involving identity theft or religious objection, and you would need to request that separately.

Is there a fee for a replacement card?

No. Social Security cards are always free. There is no charge whether you apply online, by mail, or in person, and no limit on how many times you can request one.