🇺🇸 United States

SS-5 Social Security Card

New or Replacement Social Security Card

Easy ~10 min Social SecuritySSNIdentity

/ What is this form?

Form SS-5 is used to apply for a new SSN or a replacement Social Security card. The SSN is essential for employment, filing taxes, banking, and accessing government benefits.

Original documents are required for identity verification — these are returned after processing. The card is free and arrives by mail within 2–4 weeks.

Replacement cards are limited to 3 per year and 10 over a lifetime. Name changes (e.g., after marriage) require documentation of the name change.

/ Who needs this form?

Newborns being assigned a Social Security Number for the first time
Immigrants with authorized work status who need a SSN
Anyone who lost their Social Security card
Anyone who has legally changed their name

/ What you need before you start

Proof of identity (US passport, driver's license, or state ID)

Proof of US citizenship or immigration status (birth certificate, passport, green card)

Proof of age (birth certificate) if not shown by identity document

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Determine Card Type

New SSN for a newborn, replacement card for lost/damaged, or corrected card after a name change.

2 Complete Form SS-5

Fill in your full name, date and place of birth, SSN (if replacement), citizenship status, and parents' names.

3 Gather Original Documents

Collect originals (not photocopies) of identity proof, citizenship/immigration status, and age verification.

4 Submit to SSA

Apply in person at your local SSA office, or mail originals to your SSA office (they will be returned).

5 Receive Card

Card arrives by mail within 2–4 weeks to your address of record.

/ Key fields explained

Field	What to enter	Common mistake
Full name	Your legal name exactly as you want it to appear on the card.	Using a nickname or informal name — use your full legal name.
Citizenship status	US citizen, legal alien allowed to work, legal alien not allowed to work, or other.	Selecting incorrect citizenship status — this affects whether you can receive an unrestricted card.

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Mailing photocopies instead of originals — only original documents are accepted (but they are returned).

Exceeding the 3-per-year or 10-lifetime replacement limit without a valid exception.

Not knowing you can apply for a newborn's SSN directly at the hospital at birth.

/ Frequently asked questions

How long does it take?

Typically 2–4 weeks for the card to arrive by mail after processing.