Required Documents to Obtain
a Social Security Card
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If you’ve lost your social security card, you must act fast to get a replacement. Without your card, it will be difficult to obtain employment, track earnings, or apply for higher education. You may even expose yourself to identity theft. While most information around the web instructs you on how to replace your card, we found that no resources properly instructed readers on what to actually do in the event of a lost card to ensure your earnings are tracked properly and your identity kept safe. This complete guide to replacing a lost social security card helps you protect your identity, get a new card fast (and for free), and ensure no mistakes are made by the Social Security Administration. Your social security card is your link to the Social Security Administration (SSA). If your card is lost or you believe someone has stolen it, take immediate action. While what’s most important is the number on the card, you have to present the physical card in several key situations. And, it’s important to remember that a thief with your card can now do anything you could do with it. This guide will cover:
Proof of Identity
When it comes to identity, required documents for Social Security card are: unexpired, current evidence of identity in your legal name, as your legal name will be shown on the Social Security card. Generally, it is preferable if you provide documents that were issued in the United States. Besides your legal name, the document submitted in order to establish your identity also need to show you biological information (such as your date of birth, your age, or the names of your parents) or physical information (meaning your photograph or a description – color of your eyes, height, hair color, etc.) Check out more on Evidence Documents here.
In case you choose to send a photo but you do not go in person, the documents need to show your biological information. Usually, documents that don’t have an expiration date should have been issued within the last 2 years in the case of adults, and within the last 4 years in the case of children.
In order to prove your identity, you will have to provide a U.S. driver’s license, a U.S. passport, or a U.S.-issued non-driver identity card. In case you have none of those documents and can’t get a replacement within ten work days, other documents that show your name and biological information are accepted as well – for example, U.S. military identity card, employee identity card, Certificate of Naturalization, health insurance card, certified copy of medical record, Medicaid Card, or school identity card or record.
In the case of young children, medical records maintained by the medical provider may be accepted. A final adoption decree is also accepted, or a school identity card or record maintained by the school.
In case you’re not a citizen of the United States, U.S. immigration documents and foreign passport (including photograph or biological information) will need to be shown. Birth certificates are not accepted, neither are social security card stubs, social security records, or hospital souvenir birth certificates.
Proof of Age
Usually, you must provide your birth certificate, however, in some cases, other documents may be accepted as well as long as they show how old you are. Other documents that can be accepted as evidence of age are U.S. hospital record of birth, passport, religious record established before the age of 5 show your date of birth and age, or final adoption decree as long as it shows that the birth information has been taken from the birth certificate.
Proof of Citizenship / Immigration status.
Usually, you will have to provide your U.S. Passport or your U.S. birth certificate. Other documents accepted are a Consulate Report of Birth, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship.
In case you are not a citizen of the U.S., you will have to provide unexpired, current documents issued by the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) which shows your immigration status – for example Form I-551, I-766, or I-94.
In case you are an exchange visitor or an international student, you might have to provide additional documents, like Form I-20, DS-2019. A letter authorizing employment from your employer, sponsor or school is also accepted.
A receipt showing that you applied for the document will not be accepted, and in case you are not authorized to work in the United States, a Social Security card will be issued only if you need the number for a non-work reason which is valid. Your cared will end up being market, showing that you can’t work in the country, and in case you do the DHS will be notified.
Submitting the Application
After you completed the form requesting a Social Security card, you can either mail them or take them in person to any Social Security office. Any Social Security card required documents mailed will be returned to you.
You will have to protect your Social Security card and number from loss or from identity theft. The SSN card should not be carried, but kept in a secure location, and only used when necessary – such as when applying for a job, obtaining benefits from U.S. agencies, opening a bank account, etc. The Social Security number should only be given to other with caution, especially when it comes to giving it to someone over the phone or over the internet – especially following requests that were not initiated by the holder of the Social Security number.
