How to Get a Replacement Social Security Card

A Social Security Number is a general identification number for all the United States citizens and holds a great importance for tracking identities for taxation purposes. The Social Security Number (which is same for lifetime) and the Social Security Tax, are managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Social Security Card can get misplaced, stolen or damaged, which promotes people to ask the question, 'how to get a replacement social security card'. Please note that in case if you have lost your card, or even if it is a case of stolen social security card, then initiate the following procedure immediately, as the Social security card, when in wrong hands, can become a very dangerous tool for identity theft.

About the Social Security Card

The Social Service Administration provides a 9 digit number to the citizens and some long term alien residents. The principle use of this card and number is recognition of identity by the government for social security tax and also income tax. Apart from being just a national identification number, the number and the card are also used for getting benefits from schemes such as Medicare, Medicaid Disability Insurance, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You may also refer to Social Security Number and Card information to understand the subject a whole lot better.

One very important thing that you need to know is that you are permitted to receive just 3 replacements per year and a total of 10 in a lifetime. Hence, make sure that you keep the card safe. The following procedure is as simple as possible, and you can complete it in a few hours.

How to Get a Replacement Social Security Card Fast

The Social Security Administration, provides the replacement in quite a short time, of about 7-10 working days. However making the application as soon as possible is absolutely necessary, in order to prevent identity theft and curtail other risks.

For Citizens
The replacement social security card application is Form SS-5 which is available on the website of the administration. You will not have much of a difficulty while completing the form as it is self-explanatory. Along with the form, you will have to provide the administration a proof of age, identity and citizenship. For the birthplace and age proof, a birth certificate is quite sufficient, and for the identity proof, a passport or a driver's license or any other document of identification furnished by the government is good enough. So basically for age, identity and citizenship, a passport, driver's license and birth certificate are quite sufficient. Please note that in recent times, legislation have barred birth certificates as proofs and you might need an alternative proof of your age and birth place.

For Non Citizens
In case you are not a citizen of the United States, then copies of immigration documents, Visa, passport, birth certificate, identification of native country, job profile, and residential proof, are just a few of the many documents that you need to provide. You will also have to file a Form I-551 in the package and Form I-94 along with an unexpired passport's copy. The best thing that you can however do is send a proof of identity, residence, age and citizenship from your native country. Then provide copies of all the documents that you used while entering the USA. You will also have to file an employment or work permit through Forms I-766 or I-688B. For more inputs you may also refer to:

• Social Security Card Replacement
• Social Security Card Replacement Cost

The SSA demands attested copies or original copies for verification, hence, keeping them handy is essential. To deliver the entire package, you can either mail them to the regional SSA branch or you can deliver them in person. I hope that you have got the answer to the query, 'how to get a replacement social security card'. Good luck.