Three Steps To Replacing A Lost Social Security Card
The Social Security Number or social security card number (SSN) is the primary means of identification for citizens of the United States of America. A parent can obtain an SSN for their children at birth, along with their birth certificate. The SSN is the means by which taxpayers can file for their dependents. Without one, US Citizens cant claim retirement and health benefits, or even unemployment and disability benefits. In short, the SSN is the cornerstone of just about any transaction in the USA.
When you lose your Social Security Card, you may think it's the end of the world. In all truth, though, regaining a new SSN Card is as simple as these three steps:
1. Fill out Form SS-5. Most likely, it was your parent who filled out your Form SS-5 at birth, so if you've never had to before, this is your chance to fill out your Form SS-5 yourself. You may grab a blank form at your local Social Security Administration office, or you may download it from the United States Social Security Administration website.
2. Attach proof of identification documents. In order to verify your identity, you would be asked to attach documents to prove that.
Here is a list of acceptable primary proof of identification documents:
U.S. Birth Certificate
U.S. Consular Report of Birth
U.S. Passport
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship
Driver's License issued in any of the 50 States
State-issued Identification Card
If you do not have any of the documents listed above, the following ID's are also acceptable:
School or Employee ID card
A health insurance card other than Medicare
U.S. Military ID
Guidelines for your proof of identity documents:
Make sure that your ID's are not expired.
Your ID's must include:
oYour full name.
oYour date of birth or your age.
oHaving a photograph on these documents is ideal.
These should be original copies of the said documents.
Certified copies are acceptable, but the SSA will not accept photocopied or notarized proof of identification.
3. Submit your documents and Form SS-5. After you've filled out your Form SS-5 and attached your documents, you could either mail these in or submit the application to your local Social Security Administration office. For New York City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento or Minneapolis residents, however, mailing in your Social Security Card Number replacement is not acceptable. You would have to submit your documents in person for these cities.
When you apply to replace lost social security card, you will be given a new card to replace the old, lost Social Security Card, but your Social Security Number will not change. All the details that were originally on the social security card you've lost will also be the exact same details that will be on your social security card replacement. Only when you file for a legal change of name (as in marriage) or when your citizenship status changes will there be changes on your Social Security Card.
Applying for a lost social security card replacement will take only 7 to 10 business days to process. After you've sent in your application, expect your new Social Security card to arrive in the mail within that time frame. Take note that in the course of your life, you will only be able to apply for a maximum of 10 Social Security Card replacements, and only three times maximum within a year.
Losing your Social Security Card need not be a harrowing ordeal. Knowing how to replace it is the best way to minimize the potential damage that it can cost you if it falls in the wrong hands.
When you lose your Social Security Card, you may think it's the end of the world. In all truth, though, regaining a new SSN Card is as simple as these three steps:
1. Fill out Form SS-5. Most likely, it was your parent who filled out your Form SS-5 at birth, so if you've never had to before, this is your chance to fill out your Form SS-5 yourself. You may grab a blank form at your local Social Security Administration office, or you may download it from the United States Social Security Administration website.
2. Attach proof of identification documents. In order to verify your identity, you would be asked to attach documents to prove that.
Here is a list of acceptable primary proof of identification documents:
U.S. Birth Certificate
U.S. Consular Report of Birth
U.S. Passport
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship
Driver's License issued in any of the 50 States
State-issued Identification Card
If you do not have any of the documents listed above, the following ID's are also acceptable:
School or Employee ID card
A health insurance card other than Medicare
U.S. Military ID
Guidelines for your proof of identity documents:
Make sure that your ID's are not expired.
Your ID's must include:
oYour full name.
oYour date of birth or your age.
oHaving a photograph on these documents is ideal.
These should be original copies of the said documents.
Certified copies are acceptable, but the SSA will not accept photocopied or notarized proof of identification.
3. Submit your documents and Form SS-5. After you've filled out your Form SS-5 and attached your documents, you could either mail these in or submit the application to your local Social Security Administration office. For New York City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento or Minneapolis residents, however, mailing in your Social Security Card Number replacement is not acceptable. You would have to submit your documents in person for these cities.
When you apply to replace lost social security card, you will be given a new card to replace the old, lost Social Security Card, but your Social Security Number will not change. All the details that were originally on the social security card you've lost will also be the exact same details that will be on your social security card replacement. Only when you file for a legal change of name (as in marriage) or when your citizenship status changes will there be changes on your Social Security Card.
Applying for a lost social security card replacement will take only 7 to 10 business days to process. After you've sent in your application, expect your new Social Security card to arrive in the mail within that time frame. Take note that in the course of your life, you will only be able to apply for a maximum of 10 Social Security Card replacements, and only three times maximum within a year.
Losing your Social Security Card need not be a harrowing ordeal. Knowing how to replace it is the best way to minimize the potential damage that it can cost you if it falls in the wrong hands.
Source...