What To Do If You Lose Your Social Security Card

Losing your Social Security card is a nerve-racking experience. Was it stolen? Is someone using your information to steal your identity? How will you replace it? How long does it take?

In this guide, we’ll show you what you should do if you’ve lost your Social Security card and how you can replace it for free. We’ll also explain why losing your card can be dangerous and share a few steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft.

How to Replace Your Social Security Card

You can replace your Social Security card online and offline. If you choose the online process, you’ll answer a questionnaire on the Social Security Administration website, provide legal documentation, and then fill out a form. If you want to do it offline, you can either call the Social Security Administration hotline or visit your local Social Security office to schedule an appointment.

Replacing Your Social Security Card Online

Here are the exact steps for replacing your Social Security Card online:

1. Complete the Social Security Card replacement questionnaire on the Social Security Administration website to see if you qualify for an online replacement.1
2. Create a my Social Security account2 or log in to your existing account.
3. Gather the required documentation (proof of age, identity, and citizenship.)
4. Fill out and submit the request form.
5. Wait 10-14 days for your new card.3

Requirements for Replacing Your Social Security Card Online

• You must be a U.S. citizen age 18 or older.
• You must have a U.S. mailing address, which includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses.
• You can’t be requesting any changes to the card, just a new card.
• Your driver’s license or state identification card must be from one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C. (In Alaska, Delaware, and Washington specifically, you’ll need a driver’s license.)

However, there are some states and U.S. territories that don’t allow online Social Security card replacement. If you live in one of the following, you’ll have to request your replacement card either in person or by phone.

• Alabama
• Minnesota
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• West Virginia
• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Replacing Your Social Security Card Offline

Replacing your SS card offline is similar to the online process. The only real difference is that you’ll have to fill out some forms by hand. Here’s how to do it.

1. Schedule an appointment with your local Social Security office.
2. Fill out form SS-5.
3. Gather all required documentation (proof of age, identity, and citizenship) for the free Social Security card replacement request. The easiest is to just bring your passport as it fulfills all required documentation.
4. Bring the filled out form SS-5 and required documentation to your appointment with your local SS office to complete the request.
5. Wait 10 to 14 days for your free replacement SS card to arrive in the mail.

To schedule your appointment, you can either:

• Call 1-800-772-1213.
• Visit your local SS office.

What Else To Do After Losing Your Social Security Card

If you’ve lost your Social Security card, chances are it’s lying at the bottom of a box or drawer somewhere. But to be on the safe side, here are a few more precautions we recommend:

1. Check your credit. Check your credit reports from all three bureaus for any unusual activity. If your report is inaccurate or incomplete, notify either the lender or creditor using the contact information below.5
2. Sign up for an identity theft protection service. While we like identity theft protection services because they protect us from fraudsters, most also offer insurance in case your identity gets stolen. Since you’re at a higher risk of identity theft after losing your Social Security card, that insurance becomes more valuable.
3. Place a freeze on your credit. A credit freeze means that identity thieves can’t use your SSN or any of your other personally identifiable information (PII) to open new accounts or take out new loans. You can keep the credit freeze on as long as your SSN is at risk, or until you need credit or a loan yourself. To request a credit freeze at the three major credit bureaus, use the contact information below.

What To Do If Your Social Security Card Has Been Stolen

This is the worst case scenario, because a stolen Social Security card means that it was targeted specifically, likely for the personal information it contains. That means you should take even more extra precautions, such as:

1. File a police report. Report the loss of your SS card to your local police station.
2. File a fraud alert. Fraud alerts make it harder for identity thieves to open accounts using your PII.6 To report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission, contact one of the three major credit bureaus using the contact information above and ask to put a fraud alert on your credit report. That bureau will contact the other two bureaus, and the fraud alert will stay on your report for a year.
3. File an extended fraud alert. An extended fraud alert lasts for seven years. You can file an extended alert from the outset, or you can file it after your one-year alert has expired.7
4. Call the IRS. You may have received a notice or letter from the IRS saying that it thinks someone used your SSN fraudulently. If that’s the case, call the number listed on the notice. If you didn’t receive a notice, you can contact the IRS by either calling 1-800-908-4490 or completing Form 14039,8 the Identity Theft Affidavit.9

Do I Need a Physical Social Security Replacement Card?

A Social Security number (SSN) is what helps you get jobs and collect Social Security benefits and other government services. An SSN is essential; the physical card is less so. In most cases, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), knowing your SSN is sufficient.

For example, if you want to get a Real ID to fly domestically or access certain federal facilities, an SS card isn’t necessary. Rather, you could use a recent pay stub, a W-2, an SSA-1099 (the SS Benefit Statement), or other tax documents that show your full name. Even just knowing your SSN can serve as proof, believe it or not.

How Thieves Can Profit From Your Social Security Card

That being said, if your SS card has fallen into the wrong hands, you may be at risk of identity theft. Thieves can use your SSN to:

• Apply for credit in your name and then not pay the bills, which can damage your credit score10
• Apply for jobs
• Apply for passports
• File taxes
• Open financial accounts
• Get medical care
• Enroll in health insurance
• Commit crimes
• Get a driver’s license
• Steal your benefits11

Requesting a Social Security Card for Your Child

Children are prone to losing things and, unfortunately, to identity theft. In fact, our child identity theft research showed that 14 percent of kids have had their identities stolen, which is a concern of over 70 percent of U.S. parents. To get your child a new SS card for free after it has been lost or stolen, you’ll need documents proving:

• Your child’s identity
• Your child’s U.S. citizenship, or immigration status if they’re not a U.S. citizen
• Your identity
• Your custody of or relationship to the child

All of these documents must either be originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. Once you’ve collected all the necessary documents, complete an SS card application12 and mail it, along with the documents, to your local SSA office or card center.13 Within 10 business days from the date on the receipt, you’ll receive your child’s new SS card for free.

How To Protect Your Social Security Card Moving Forward

In general, these are some best practices to protect yourself from identity theft, particularly regarding your SS card and your SSN number:

• Create a My Social Security account. First, create a My Social Security account on the SSA website to prevent others from doing the same if they have your SSN. Aside from choosing a strong username and password, you can strengthen this account by using your cell phone, email, or a financial question for verification. That means you’ll either use the last eight digits of your credit card (Discover, Mastercard, or Visa), W-2 info, or info from your 1040 Schedule SE (self-employment) tax form. To add extra security:
  1. Log on to My Social Security.
  2. Click on Security Settings.
  3. Click Add Extra Security.
  4. Follow the instructions.

  You’ll receive an upgrade code by mail at your home address in five to 10 business days.

• Don’t carry your card around. There’s no reason to have your SS card with you at all times. Rather, store it in a secure place at home like a locked safe or safe deposit box.
• Only share your SSN when it’s needed. Only share your SSN when it’s absolutely necessary, and don’t be afraid to ask why the requesting organization needs it, even if it’s your employer.
• Block electronic access. You can block electronic and telephone access to your SS record. This means that no one can see your PII on the internet or through the SSA’s automated telephone service, including you. To block electronic access, either go into your local SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213 (available 24/7) and ask for Form SSA-1099.
• Use identity theft protection. Identity theft protection services with fraud detection monitor criminal and financial areas for your SSN, along with all of your PII. If you have children, sign up for identity theft protection for families to get discounts and deals.

Recap

While losing your SS card is a stressful incident, a few simple steps can protect your identity now and beyond. Of course, since there’s no guaranteed way to prevent identity theft, you should learn what to do if your identity is stolen. From data breaches to misplaced SS cards, identity theft is always a possibility, but with the best practices, you can decrease your risk significantly.