Your Social Security number is a valuable piece of information to identity thieves. It's a key element of your identity and is also linked to taxes and credit information. And except in limited circumstances, it can't be changed. That's why it's so worrisome to have your card lost or stolen.
You need to go to the local office of Social Security Administration with your Identification Card and request for a replacement card. It usually takes ten days from the date of the request to receive a replacement card. In the alternative, you can also make a request online, if you are eligible.
Answer a few questions to see if you can complete your request online, or if you need to finish part or all of your request in-person. Either way, you'll receive your Social Security card in the mail within 14 days after your application is completed.
www.irs.gov/uac/Identity-Protection
or call 1-800-908-4490. File an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.
You also can lock your SSN by visiting the Department of Homeland Security's myE-Verify website. Activating the site's Self Lock feature can stop someone from using your SSN for employment fraud. Keep in mind that you're not able to "freeze" your SSN, meaning that it can't be used at all.
To save time, you can download, complete, and print the paper application SS-5 form before you arrive. There is no charge for a replacement card.
Documents to prove your SSN
NGB 22. W-2 Form (including W-2C, W-2G, etc.) SSA-1099 Form (including SSA-1099-SM, SSA-1099-R-OP1, etc.) Non-SSA 1099 Form (including 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC, etc.)
Can I request and get a new Social Security card on the same day? No, you cannot get a replacement Social Security card on the same day you request a replacement. The process typically takes around two weeks if all necessary documents are submitted at the time of application.
Go to the website of any of the three major credit bureaus and select that you want to add a fraud alert. Note: You only need to do it at one credit bureau. Once you place the fraud alert at any of the three bureaus, they automatically notify the other two.
You may receive no more than three replacement social security number cards in a year and ten replacement social security number cards per lifetime. We may allow for reasonable exceptions to these limits on a case-by-case basis in compelling circumstances.
If you really must replace your card, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber before visiting your local Social Security office. The first step is to learn what documents you need. You'll need to show us a U.S. driver's license, a state issued non-driver identification card, or a U.S. passport to prove your identity.
Now, more than one million people have requested a replacement card through our service, and we're still adding states to the list of those who can use the online service! To replace your card online, first you'll need to log in to or create your my Social Security account.
The most convenient way to do business with us from any location and on any device is to visit www.ssa.gov to get information and use our online services. Or, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) if you're deaf or hard of hearing.
Whether you apply for a Social Security card online or at an office, we'll process the application and mail a card to you, usually within 14 business days.
If you don't have your card, your employer can use the free Social Security Number Verification Service, which allows registered employers to verify whether a person's name and Social Security number match Social Security Administration records.
No. We don't charge a fee to assign a Social Security number or issue a Social Security card. If you should lose the card, we will replace it for free. We suggest you keep your card in a safe place, as you would any important document.
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA) of 2004 (Public Law 108-458 ) limits the number of replacement SSN cards an individual may receive to 3 per year and 10 in a lifetime, beginning with cards issued on or after December 17, 2005.
Contact your local Social Security office. Schedule an in-person appointment to apply for a new number. Gather all the necessary documents, which must be original or certified copies. You'll need a state-issued ID card, U.S. passport or other proof of identity and citizenship.
If you file your tax return and someone else has already claimed your dependent, then the IRS will reject your return. If your return was rejected, you can mail in your return and then the IRS will apply the tiebreaker rules.
Identity Theft: If you think an identity thief is using your SSN to work or to collect benefits, call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. If you think someone may be using your SSN to work, check your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Statement.