How to get a replacement social security card same day

You can replace a lost or stolen Social Security card up to three times in a year and up to 10 times during your lifetime. Getting a new card because of a change in your legal name or citizenship status does not count toward the limits. 

You can request a placement card online, by mail or in person at a local Social Security office. 

Replacing your Social Security card online

To request a replacement card online, you must have a My Social Security account and meet these requirements:

  • You are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older.
  • You are not changing the name on the card.
  • You have a U.S. mailing address (military and diplomatic addresses count).
  • You live in a state that shares its computer data with Social Security. As of April 2022, 46 states and the District of Columbia do so. (Alaska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and West Virginia are the exceptions.) The list is updated regularly, so check the Social Security website to see if your state's status has changed.

Replacing your card by mail or in person

If you don’t have an online account or don’t meet any one of the other criteria listed above, you’ll have to fill out an application form and either mail it or take it to your local Social Security office.

Local offices fully reopened April 7 after being closed to walk-in traffic for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) recommends calling in advance and scheduling an appointment to avoid long waits.

You’ll need to provide what the SSA calls "primary" proof of identity — either a passport, a driver’s license or a state-issued photo ID card. If you don’t have any of those, Social Security will ask to see a current, “secondary” ID that shows your name; identifying information such as age or date of birth; and, preferably, a recent photograph — for example, an employee, student or U.S. military ID or a health insurance card (but not a Medicare card). 

Social Security typically requires the original of your primary ID document, or a copy certified by the agency that issued it. Photocopies, even if notarized, are not accepted.  

However, the SSA advises against mailing “original primary documents that should be kept secure in your possession.” As an alternative, you may send secondary evidence of identity, or contact your local office about dropping off your evidence or making an appointment. Social Security will return any documents you do submit once they process your new card.  

Your new Social Security card should arrive in the mail in 10 to 14 days. There is no charge. 

Keep in mind

To change the name on your Social Security card, you will need to provide proof of your new name — for example, a marriage certificate, adoption papers or a court order granting the change — and proof of identity and citizenship. These must be originals or certified copies. If you don’t have any of those documents, Social Security may accept an unexpired, state-issued identity document in your new name, provided they can match it to your old name in their records. 

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.

How to get a replacement social security card same day

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

Does Social Security give you a card the same day?

We will mail your Social Security card as soon as we have all of the necessary information. You should usually receive it within 7-10 business days from that time.

How can I get a copy of my Social Security ASAP?

But, if you do need a replacement, you can complete your application online or in-person. The easiest way to request a replacement SSN card is online with a free, personal my Social Security account. You can go to www.ssa.gov/ssnumber and answer a few questions to find out the best way to apply.

Whats the fastest you can get a Social Security card?

You can request your card online today! You can replace your card online and receive it in 14 days.

Can I get a replacement Social Security card at my local office?

Once you complete your application (online or in-person), we will mail the card after we process the application. Please understand that we don't issue cards at our offices. If you need to visit an office, we encourage you to first check the office's status at our Office Closings and Emergencies page.