Losing your social security card lodged in the wallet is a rare incident. There are ways to keep the card safe. People usually keep it in a locker and don’t carry it around in their pockets or wallets regularly.
Although it seems like a low risk, it does happen. Moreover, it can be frustrating to realize that you have lost your social security card and have to get a new one.
You might be going nuts on what to do next but getting a social security card is not that much of a hustle. You just have to follow a bit of a process and gather the correct documents to show it to the agency so that they can issue you a new social security card.
Steps to Get the Replacement Social Security Card
You can replace your social security card from the Social Security Administration (SSA) website or by visiting your nearest SSA office or through the mail.
Remember that you can make 3 replacements in a year and a total of 10 replacements during your lifetime. However, there are some exceptions. If you legally changed your name or your immigration status has changed that needs card updates, it would not be counted as card replacements.
To get a replacement social security card, you need to follow the given steps:
Collect your documents
First of all, you must gather your documents or copies certified by the issuing agency. Remember that SSA will not accept photocopies or notarized copies. All the paperwork is done to prove the following:
- Citizenship. Your birth certificate or U.S passport will prove your citizenship.
- Age. You can use a U.S hospital birth record, passport, or any religious record before the age of 5 that shows your age to prove your age.
- Identity. To prove the identity, you can use documents such as State issued ID card, U.S passport or driver’s license, health insurance card, employee ID card, school ID card, or military ID card.
Also, you should have all the mentioned documents updated because SSA will not accept the expired documents or any receipts showing that you have applied for the papers.
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Apply online
After collecting all the documents, you need to fill out the social security card application or create social security account to fill the application online.
To replace the card online, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Have a My Social Security account.
- Are 18 years or older
- You are not changing your name on the card
- Have a U.S military address
- Live in the state that shares its computer data with Social security ( except Alaska, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and West Virginia)
Submit the application and documents
After filling out the online application on your account, email the information to the SSA. The site will also direct you to the nearest SSA office in your area to complete the process.
If you don’t meet the given criterion for online submission, you have to fill the application form and take the printed form to the local SSA along with original documents or mail it. If you mail the application, send the original documents along with it.
In order to change your name on the new card, you must show proof of your new name, such as a marriage certificate, court orders, or adoption papers. If you don’t have any of these documents, you can show your unexpired state-issued ID card with a new name.
After submitting the application form and documents, your new social security card will arrive in 10-14 days in the mail.