Replacement social security card and birth certificate

Worried about doing this on your own?  You may be able to get free legal help.

As a U.S. citizen

If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need your birth certificate or a U.S. passport. If you need information about getting a copy of your birth certificate, see Getting a copy of your birth certificate.

You will also need one of the following to get a new Social Security card:

• School ID
• Work ID
• Military ID
• Official school transcript
• Medical records
• Medical insurance card (not a paper "medical card")

To apply for a new or replacement Social Security Card, you can complete the online application here. You can also go to a Social Security Office with your documents. You can find locations of Social Security Offices here. Afterward, it usually takes 2-4 weeks to get an official school transcript or medical records. If you have questions, you should call (800) 772-1213.

As a foreign-born U.S. citizen

If you are a U.S. citizen, but you were born outside of the U.S., you will need to prove your citizenship and your identity.

You can prove that you are a citizen by showing your:

• U.S. passport,
• Certificate of naturalization (N-550/N-570), Certificate of citizenship (N-560/N-561), Certificate of a report of birth (DS-1350); or
• Consular report of birth abroad (FS-240).

You can prove your identity by showing your:

• School or work ID,
• Military ID,
• Health insurance card (not a "medical card"),
• School transcript or medical record,
• Passport, or
• State ID.

If you receive Medicaid, you should have received a plastic insurance card from a Managed Care Company such as Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna. If you don't have the card, you'll need to call the company to ask for a replacement. If you don't know who your Managed Care Company is, you can use the Illinois Client Enrollment Broker website to look up this information.

As a non-citizen

If you are a non-citizen with permission to work, you can apply for a Social Security number or may have one already. You can apply in your home country before you leave for the United States, or you can apply in-person at the Social Security Office once you arrive.

When you visit the Social Security Office, you must prove your identity and that you are allowed to work. Documents you can use to prove these things include:

• Form I-551, permanent resident card;
• Form I-766, employment authorization document ("work permit"); or
• Form I-94, arrival-departure record.

If you are an F-1 or M-1 student, you also must show your I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status).

If you are a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor, you must show your DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status).

For more information, please see Social Security numbers for non-citizens.

Having your Social Security card stolen or losing it is not a pleasant experience. However, if you have lost your Social Security card, it is possible to replace it.

There is no charge to get a replacement social security card, also referred to as a SSN card. In your SSN card was lost or stolen you have the possibility to request a new card through an online system. In order to do so, you will have to fulfill the necessary requirements.

You can request a Social Security card online an get your Social Security number if you meet all of the following requirements:

• Are a U.S. citizen
• Age 18 years or older
• Have a U.S. mailing address
• Are not requesting a name change or other changes in your card
• Have a driver’s license or a state-issued identification card from one of the participating states. Some states don’t have this service yet.

To successfully get a Social Security Card replacement you can go directly to the Social Security Administration website, visit a local SSA office or request it by mail.

You should bear in mind that you are limited to three replacement cards per calendar year and 10 during your lifetime, though there are certain exceptions.

For example, if you have legally changed your name and need a replacement card, the first social security card issued with your new legal name would not count toward the 10 card limit.

If you cannot apply for a card online, you will need to provide a few documents to demonstrate your identity.

To successfully get a new social security card you will need to gather some essential original documents or certified copies of the originals, issued by the respective agency.

The documents you need to gather to obtain a Social Security Card must:

1. Show proof of US citizenship: your U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport.
2. Show proof of your age: a US birth certificate, US hospital birth record, US passport or religious record made before the age of 5 showing your date of birth are acceptable.
3. Demonstrate your identity: a U.S. driver’s license, U.S. passport or employee state-issued ID card, school ID card, military card or health insurance card are adequate as proof of identity.

Please note that all of these documents must be up to date. The SSA does not accept expired documents. It will not accept receipts that show you had applied for these documents in the past, either.

The easiest way to get a new Social Security Card is by applying online. In order to do so, applicants are required to provide the documents listed above.

Nevertheless, there are several ways to replace a Social Security Card:

• Online: by creating an SSA account and completing the online application for a Social Security Card replacement.
• In person: by visiting an SSA office and printing out the online application after completing it, or printing a blank SSN card application form and completing by hand.

Whether you choose to apply for a new Social Security Card online or in person, you will need to follow these simple steps:

1. Complete the application for a new Social Security Card: this can be done online, and then printed, or the form can be downloaded and printed, then filled out by hand.
2. To submit the application online, (you must meet the requirements stated above): you should follow the instructions on the official SSA website after completing the application form.
3. To submit your application in person: after completing the form on the SSA website, you should be redirected to a page where you can find the closest SSA office in your area.
4. Print out your Social Security Card application and submit it, along with the original documents, at a local SSA office.

If you do not comply with all the requirements to submit your Social Security replacement card online, you can still apply for your Social Security Card at a local SSA office and present all the required documents during your visit.

If you need to replace a Social Security Card for your child. check the SSA page for specific instructions geared towards parents and guardians of underage children.

Read more:How to get your newborn's Social Security Number and Card

If your Social Security Card was stolen, make sure to:

• Contact the police department to file a report.
• Monitor your credit report to ensure you have not been a victim of identity fraud.
• Reach the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213 to get additional information.

Requesting an SSN card online is rather quick and straightforward.

Nevertheless, once the application has been processed, it Generally will take between 10 to 14 business days to receive a new Social Security Card, according to the SSA website,. Keep that in mind when applying for your SSN card and be sure to check all of your details before submitting the application.

Read more: What can I do if I lost all my IDs?

Many citizens need to get their SSN card replaced as soon as possible. Others need the document so urgently that they wonder how to get a replacement social security card on the same day they file the application.

Although it is not currently possible to get a Social Security Card issued on the same day, there is an alternate solution.

The fastest way to geta Social Security Card is to:

• Fill out the application for an SSN card online
• Print and sign the application
• Take it to your local Social Security Office with the requirements listed above** to file your request
• Request an urgent temporary printout of your Social Security Card at your local Social Security office right after filing your application for a replacement

For security reasons, the SSA does notallow the printing of temporary Social Security Cards online . While citizens may order a replacement card online, processing will take an estimated 10 business days.

If you are wondering what you need to get a same-day emergency replacement Social Security Card issued, you can simply provide the requirements listed above and let the agent at the SSA office know that you need a temporary printout of your document.

Please note that filling your form out online and taking it to the SSA office printed and signed may save you some time and help you obtain a quick emergency printout of your Social Security Card.

Getting a same-day Social Security Card is not possible. However, obtaining a temporary print out once your application has been filed is especially helpful if you are:

• Applying for a job
• Enrolling in school
• Taking out insurance

Please keep this Social Security emergency card safe as it is an especially sensitive document. This temporary printout will only work where card copies are accepted and be rendered null after 30 days.

Related: How to get an ID without a birth certificate or Social Security Card

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