Social Security Card Replacement

Social security card is one of the most important documents, of course after passport, which gives you an identity. It's one of those documents which you would require everywhere, be it opening a bank account, taking a loan or paying taxes. If your card is lost or stolen and you want it back, it can be quite a tiring and tedious process, with all the paperwork required and the time consumed. You can fill the card replacement form along with the documents required at your nearest social security office and get a new card.

Card Replacement Requirements

There are several documents which you would require while applying for a replacement card. You first need to get the replacement application form (Form SS-5), fill it up and provide copies of some documents and submit it to the Social Security Office in your locality. The documents include citizenship proof, an identification proof and a proof of age. To prove your citizenship, you would need to take any proof that you are a citizen of the country like Certificate of Citizenship, Certificate of Naturalization, U.S. passport, consular report of birth or your birth certificate.

For proving your identity, you should take along any document which age, date of birth and name. A U.S. passport, non-driver identification card issued by the state or U.S. drivers license would do. But don't forget to take along a recent copy of your photograph. Remember that all the documents mentioned should be current and should not have expired.

In case you don't have these documents and you can't get them within 10 days, you would be required to furnish other documents like U.S. military ID card (of course if you are a part of the services), health insurance card, School ID card or Employee ID card. All these documents should either be originals or certified copies by an issuing authority.

Where to Get a Social Security Card Replacement

For getting a replacement of your social security card, you will have to go to its Office along with the documents. You can get a replacement card three times a year at the most and the number of replacement cards which you are entitled to get are 10 throughout your lifetime. The replacements allowed does not include other reasons for which you may need to replace your cards like change of name. If you have lost your card for more than 10 times, you can still get a replacement card but you have to prove to the authorities that you will face a lot of hardships without one. The replaced card would have your previous social security number.

Card Replacement Cost

In case your card is lost or stolen, you can replace the card without any charge associated with replacement. There may be times wherein you may find people getting in touch with you and wanting to replace your card for a particular charge. If you face such a situation, you should get in touch with the Social Security Office through their helpline. There are times when people don't replace their cards, just remember the social security number. So while applying, you need to think if you would really need it in your day-to-day lives.

Social security card replacement can be a long drawn process and at times, it can take a long time to get a new one. So, take good care of it, and if you don't need it in your day-to-day lives, it's always better to keep it in a safe place, so that it does not get misplaced.