How Do I Replace My Social Security Card?

Key takeaways

• In most cases, you don’t need a physical Social Security card — just knowing your number is enought.
• If you do want to replace a lost card, the process is straightforward, especially if you have an online My Social Security account.
• Getting a new card is free and typically takes about two weeks once you’ve submitted a request.

Summary

Replacing a lost or misplaced Social Security card is a straightforward process and knowing exactly how to do it can save you time and stress. You may not need a replacement — the Social Security Administration says most people don’t need their physical card for day-to-day tasks. But if you do want a new card, you can request one online for free.

To apply online, you’ll need to be 18 or older and have a U.S. mailing address, a valid government-issued ID, and a My Social Security account at ssa.gov. If you don’t meet those requirements, visiting your local Social Security office is the next best step, and making an appointment can help your visit go more smoothly. Once your request is submitted, you’ll usually receive your replacement Social Security card within two weeks, all at no cost. For more resources and step-by-step guidance, visit aarp.org/socialsecurity.

The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Full Transcript:

[00:00:00] Hi, I’m Mary Liz Burns, and in my work with AARP, I try to simplify the more

[00:00:05] complex aspects of Social Security. Here’s a question I get all the time. What do I do if I lose my Social Security card?

[00:00:13] The good news is you can get a new one. It’s actually pretty simple. Let’s take a look at how to replace your Social Security card.

[00:00:23] The Social Security Administration says that in most cases you don’t need your physical card.

[00:00:28] Just knowing your number is enough. But if you do want to replace it for whatever reason, you can do that at

[00:00:34] no charge, either online or in person at your local Social Security office.

[00:00:39] To use the online option, you’ll need a my Social Security account. If you don’t have one, you can set up one on the Social Security website, ssa.gov.

[00:00:49] I have a separate video on how to do just that linked in the description below. Once you have an account, you can request a new card online

[00:00:57] as long as you’re 18 or older, you have a U.S. mailing address, and you have a valid driver’s

[00:01:03] license or government issued ID. If you don’t meet all those requirements, you’ll need to visit your local Social Security office.

[00:01:11] If you want to save some time, I’d recommend you call ahead and make an appointment. Once you submit your request, your new Social Security card should

[00:01:19] arrive by mail within two weeks. To learn more, go to aarp.org/socialsecurity.