Social Security: How to Get and Change a Card

Documents you will need to meet new rules from Social Security.

Social Security Administration

The laws have changed for assigning a Social Security number and issuing a Social Security card. If you need to apply for a card, secure a new one, or change your name, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has developed a fact sheet on how to meet the new procedures.

The laws have changed for assigning a Social Security number and issuing a Social Security card. If you need to apply for a card, secure a new one, or change your name, the Social Security Administration has developed a fact sheet on how to meet the new procedures.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.  SSA cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

Proof of citizenship and identity

To get a Social Security number or a replacement card, you must complete an application and prove U.S. citizenship or immigration status, age, and identity. For a replacement card, proof of your U.S. citizenship and age are not required if they are already in SSA records.

Under the new law, only certain documents can be accepted as proof of identity. An acceptable document must show your name, identifying information about you, and preferably a recent photograph.

If you are a U.S. citizen, Social Security must see your:

• U.S. driver's license
• State-issued nondriver identity card, or
• U.S. passport.

If you do not have these specific documents or cannot get a replacement for them within 10 days, SSA will ask to see other documents, including:

• Employee ID card
• School ID card
• Health insurance card (not a Medicare card)
• U.S. military ID card, or
• Adoption decree.

Documents for a name change

If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security so that you can get a corrected card. Also, tell your employer. If you do not tell SSA when your name changes, it may:

• Delay your tax refund, and
• Prevent wages from being posted correctly to your Social Security record.

If you need to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show SSA a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change. Documents Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:

• Marriage document
• Divorce decree
• Certification of Naturalization showing a new name, or
• Court order for a name change.

If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give SSA enough information to identify you in the records or if you legally changed your name more than two years ago, you must provide Social Security with additional documentation.

In addition to showing Social Security a legal document proving your marriage, divorce or annulment, you must provide an identity document, showing your old name, as well as other identifying information or a recent photograph. (SSA can accept an expired document as evidence of your old name.)

Verification of birth records

Social Security must verify a birth record for all U.S.-born applicants of any age who apply for an original Social Security number. An exception is made when a parent applies for a baby's Social Security number at the hospital when the baby is born.

Also, Social Security must verify a birth record for U.S-born individuals who ask to correct the date of birth on the records. To verify a birth record, SSA will contact the office that issued it.

Limits to replacement cards

You can replace a Social Security card if it is lost or stolen. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and changes in noncitizen status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. You may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.

Getting more information

In addition to the Social Security Web Site at www.ssa.gov, you can call with specific questions the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This article, and hundreds more, can be found on the NEA Member Benefits Web Site in the “Member Library” section: www.neamb.com/consumer_articles.jsp.