Social Security Number and Card (Complete Guide)
Your nine-digit Social Security number is your first and continuous connection with Social Security. It helps us identify and accurately record your covered wages or self-employment earnings. We also use it to monitor your record once you start getting benefits.
Why Do You Need One?
A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and get some other government services.
You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers and avoid giving it out unnecessarily.
Keep in mind that in many cases, even if you lost your card, you may not need a replacement. In most cases, simply knowing your Social Security number is enough. But if you do need a replacement, we make it easy.
You May Be Able to Apply for a Replacement Card Online
You can use a my Social Security account to apply for a replacement Social Security card online if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses);
- Are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card; and
- Have a driver’s license or state-issued identification card from one of the many participating states or the District of Columbia.
If your driver’s license or state-issued identification card was issued by one of the states listed below, this service is not yet available.
If your state appears on this list, please check back. We are working to make this service available to additional states.
- Alaska
- New Hampshire
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
This service is also not yet available if your driver’s license or identification card was issued by a U.S. territory (such as American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands).
If you are a U.S. citizen, and have not gotten a replacement Social Security card or name change recently, you may not be eligible to use the online replacement card application in my Social Security.
If you don’t have a my Social Security account, you can create one today. To set up your account, go to:
How To Get A New, Replacement Or Corrected Card
Before getting replacement use validator tools to validate SSN number and after confirmation continue with your correction process.
All documents submitted must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
Get a certified copy of a document showing a birth, marriage or divorce that took place in the United States.
Submitting Documents to Social Security: Please do not mail original primary documents that should be kept secure in your possession, such as driver’s licenses, passports, or immigration documents.
If you prefer, you may choose to mail us secondary evidence of identity and less sensitive material. We also offer additional options for submitting documents, including Express Interviews by appointment, and Drop Boxes, where available.
Please call your local Social Security office if you would like to drop off your evidence or if you think you may qualify for an in-person appointment. Please note that appointments may not be immediately available, depending on local health and safety conditions and staffing.
Free Social Security Services
Some businesses offer Social Security name changes or cards for a fee. Social Security provides those services and more for free. Do not pay for something we will give you free. Social Security is the best place to get information about Social Security.
