Replacing A Lost Social Security Card
Luckily I’ve never lost my social security card (which is good because I have a lot of money saved up in it!) but the key to being prepared is to be educated before a crisis strikes, so today I’m just going to review what you should do if you lose your social security card and how to get a replacement.
Unfortunately, when you lose your card there is no one you can report it to in order to prevent any sort of identity theft or other shenanigans. If you were to tell the Social Security Administration, they unfortunately will do nothing because there isn’t anything they can do. Most of the time you only need the card itself when you apply for something like a job, driver’s license, etc. and need proof of identification; but when you’re applying for something like a credit card, you only need the number (the card is meaningless). So, the first thing you should do if you lose a card is to put steps into place to prevent identity theft like freezing credit reports.
How do you replace the card? You’re allowed three per year and ten lifetime, excluding name changes and a few other exceptions. If you haven’t met your maximum limit, first you want to fill out this application, and then prepare all your identification documents. You will need:
- U.S. driver’s license;
- State-issued nondriver identity card; or
- U.S. passport.
If you don’t have those, there are some other replacements you can use instead.
You can either mail the documents in (I doubt this is a good idea) or go to a social security card center and submit the application.
Hopefully you’ll never need this information (don’t carry your card around in your purse or wallet, you’ll never need it!) but in case you do, I hope it has helped.
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Wait, what happens if you reach the 10 maximum and then lose your card? You can’t get another one? Do they deport you?
Thanks for the info.
hmm….what happens when you reach the lifetime limit? are you simply left without a social security card? i may be missing something here, but the lifetime limit sounds absurd. just my opinion.
That lifetime limit seems a bit scary to me too. I’m only 22 and I’ve already had my SS replaced twice. Once due to flood damage, and the second time it was stolen along with some other personal belongings.
The absolute worst thing to lose is a passport. If you do, its $100 to replace and a couple of hours during the work week.
I keep my SS card in a Safe Deposit box … I guess many people carry there SS card with them?
I need to get mine replaced. I’ve been w/o it for about 5 years!
[...] Replacing a Lost Social Security Card. I’ve done this once in my lifetime so far, and according to Jim, I have nine more allowed replacement requests until I die. [...]
[...] Replacing a Lost Social Security Card. I’ve done this once in my lifetime so far, and according to Jim, I have nine more allowed replacement requests until I die. [...]
I got married last year and need to get a new social security card. My maiden name is Petersen (with an “e”) and my new last name is Peterson (with an “o”). Thanks for your help!
how long does it take to get it replaced and
if it takes long, is there a temporary replacement that can be used?
PLease I have lost my Social Security and two of my childrens Social Securitys. I lost my purse and I really did not know how important they were until now.
i lost my wallet and everything in it. so now i need a new SS CARD. I NEED IT ASAP. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS???
FIRST AND FORMOST HOW CAN I PREVENT MYSELF FROM FROUD. SECOND
WHAT IS THE BEST AND FASTEST WAY TO GET A NEW CARD?
PLEASE HELP, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, DENNIS G I HAVE COPYS OF MY CARD IF THIS WILL HELP.
DEPORT THAT GUY WHO LOST HIS CARD 10 TIMES. HE HAS SOLD THEM TO HIS BUDDYS FOR CASH. SO I SAY GET HIM OUT OF THE COUNTRY.
THERES MY 2 CENTS
Here is the answer to the question.
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458)
Section 7213:
Simple answer
Yes, but it is more of a pain in the back side.
Can someone please explain to me if you need a social security card for your child and you dont know what the social security number is, without having to go and sit for 10000000 million hours at the social security office because you are stationed overseas in the military and unable to go in and to do it online?