What form you need and where to get it

The form you need is Form SS-5, officially called "Application for a Social Security Card." You can get it three ways: download it from ssa.gov, pick one up at your local Social Security office, or fill it out online through a limited number of state DMVs that offer this service. The online option is only available in a handful of states — check ssa.gov/onlineservices to see if yours is one of them.

You do not need to print the form if you are applying in person. You can walk into a Social Security office with no form at all, and staff will hand you one to complete there. If you are mailing your application, print the form yourself or request it by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

The form itself is short — one page, front and back. It asks for your name, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names, citizenship status, and the reason you need a card (new card, replacement, name change, or other). There is no fee to apply.

Key Takeaways

  • Form SS-5 is the only form Social Security accepts for a card application, and you can get it free from ssa.gov, at any Social Security office, or through some state DMVs.
  • You must bring proof of identity, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and proof of age — originals or certified copies, not photocopies.
  • Applying in person at a Social Security office is faster than mailing; you typically get your card in one to two weeks instead of two to four weeks.
  • If you are applying for a replacement card because yours was lost or stolen, you do not need to report it to Social Security first — just apply for a new one.
  • Children under 18 can have a parent or guardian apply on their behalf, but the child must still be present at the office visit.

Documents you must bring with you

Social Security requires three categories of proof. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted, and neither are photos of documents on your phone.

Proof of identity: A driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a combination of other documents: a birth certificate plus a school ID, or a work ID plus a utility bill in your name. Ask Social Security what combination they will accept if you are unsure.

Proof of citizenship or immigration status: A U.S. birth certificate, passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or permanent resident card (green card). If you were born outside the U.S., your birth certificate must be an official one issued by the vital records office in the country where you were born. If you are not a citizen, bring your green card or employment authorization document (EAD).

Proof of age: Usually your birth certificate. If you do not have one, a passport, baptism record, or school record can work. The document must show your full date of birth.

How to submit your application

You have two main routes: in person or by mail. In person is faster and means you can resolve document problems on the spot if something is missing or unclear.

To apply in person, go to your local Social Security office. Find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator or call 1-800-772-1213. Walk in during business hours — most offices do not require an appointment, though some do during peak times. Bring Form SS-5 (filled out or blank) and your three categories of proof. A staff member will review your documents, ask you questions to verify the information, and submit your application. You will get a receipt showing your application was received. Your card typically arrives in one to two weeks.

To apply by mail, fill out Form SS-5 completely and sign it. Mail the form along with copies of your proof documents to the address listed on the form itself (it varies by state). Do not send originals — send certified copies or photocopies. Include a cover letter with your phone number so Social Security can contact you if they have questions. Mail takes longer: expect two to four weeks for processing, plus mail time in both directions. If Social Security needs more information, they will call you rather than send a letter, so a working phone number is important.

What happens after you submit

Social Security will review your application and documents. If everything is in order, they print your card and mail it to the address you provided. If something is missing or unclear — a document is hard to read, a signature is missing, or information does not match — they will call you to ask for clarification or a replacement document.

You can check the status of your application online at ssa.gov/onlineservices if you applied in person at a participating office or through a state DMV. If you mailed your application, you cannot check status online; call 1-800-772-1213 if you want an update.

Once your card arrives, check it immediately. If the name, number, or date of birth is wrong, go back to Social Security with the card and your proof documents to request a correction. Do not use a card with errors.

Special situations: name changes, replacements, and corrections

If you are changing your name — through marriage, divorce, court order, or other reason — you still use Form SS-5. Write your new name on the form and bring proof of the name change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Social Security will issue a new card with your new name and the same number.

If your card was lost, stolen, or damaged, use Form SS-5 and mark "Replacement card" as your reason. You do not need to report the loss to Social Security first. If your card was stolen and you are concerned about identity theft, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov, but that is separate from getting a replacement card.

If information on your card is wrong — your name, number, or date of birth does not match your documents — bring the card and your proof documents to Social Security and ask for a correction. They will issue a corrected card at no charge.

Timeline and what to expect

Processing time depends on how you apply. In-person applications at a Social Security office typically result in a card arriving within one to two weeks. Mailed applications take two to four weeks for Social Security to process, plus mail time — so plan for three to five weeks total from the day you mail it.

If Social Security needs more information from you, they will call the phone number on your application. Answer that call or call them back promptly; delays in responding can slow down your application. If you do not hear from them within the expected timeframe, call 1-800-772-1213 to check status.

Your Social Security number is assigned the moment your application is approved, even if your physical card has not arrived yet. If you need your number before the card comes — for a job, school, or bank account — call Social Security and they can give it to you over the phone after verifying your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a Social Security card online?

Only if you live in one of the states that offers online applications through the DMV. Check ssa.gov/onlineservices to see if your state participates. If not, you must apply in person at a Social Security office or by mail.

How much does a Social Security card cost?

There is no fee. Social Security does not charge for original cards, replacements, or corrections. If someone asks you to pay for a Social Security card, they are running a scam.

What if I was born outside the U.S. and do not have a birth certificate from my home country?

Bring whatever proof of birth and citizenship you have — a passport, green card, naturalization papers, or immigration documents. Social Security may ask you to contact the vital records office in your birth country to request an official birth certificate, but they can sometimes work with alternative documents. Call 1-800-772-1213 before you go in to ask what documents they will accept in your situation.

Can someone else apply for a card on my behalf?

A parent or legal guardian can apply for a child under 18, but the child must be present at the office visit. For adults, you must apply in person yourself. Social Security will not accept applications from someone else on your behalf, even with a power of attorney.

What if my application is denied?

Social Security will tell you why — usually because documents were missing, unclear, or did not match the information on the form. You can reapply with corrected or additional documents. There is no limit on how many times you can apply.