If you need to obtain a new or replacement Social Security card, fill out SSA Form SS-5 and submit supporting documents. You can apply online or by visiting a local SSA office.
The required documents vary from person to person, but must prove identity, age, and citizenship status. They must be originals or certified copies.
Change of Address
There are plenty of websites that offer to fill out this form for you, but the SSA warns against using these services as they have no way to verify that you are who you say you are. Instead, do the work yourself or find a friend or family member to help you.
Before completing form SS-5, make sure that you have updated your address with the United States Postal Service. You can do this online, over the phone or in person at your local post office.
The IRS, your new employer and many other companies also need to know your current address to send you tax documents and other important information. In addition, you should change your address on your subscriptions to magazines and catalogs as well.
Change of Name
If you’ve changed your name as the result of a marriage, divorce or court order, you need to update SSA records so that your card reflects the correct legal name. This is important because it helps you change your name on other important documents, such as your driver’s license and your bank accounts. You can file a Social Security replacement form name change by using Form SS-5 and submitting the required supporting documentation.
You can fill out the one-page SS-5 online or bring it in person to your local Social Security office. You will also need to submit several original documents as proof of your name change. These include proof of your age such as a birth certificate or passport, evidence of citizenship such as a U.S. passport or consular report of birth abroad, and documents that prove your identity like a state ID card, driver’s license or employee identification card or health insurance card.
By visiting the local SSA office, you can avoid mailing in sensitive documents that could get lost or stolen in transit. It’s also a quick and convenient way to get your replacement card.
Error Correction
Often, the reason a student’s FAFSA doesn’t match to his or her Social Security number is because of an error in SSA’s earnings records. These errors can cause major problems when it comes to financial aid, especially if they occur for students from the Freely Associated States (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico).
The SSA’s database can be corrected by contacting local or regional offices. If the date of birth is wrong, the student must change it on a paper SAR or on Corrections on the Web. This will clear the error flag in the ISIR.
The student may also need to file a correction application, but it’s not always necessary. It’s important to keep a copy of the SS-5 form and any other output documents, since the new SSN will have a different identifier than the original one. It will be important to have the right identifier when applying for jobs or bank accounts.
Lost or Stolen Card
If your card is lost or stolen, you should act quickly to prevent identity theft. A fraudulently used Social Security number can damage your credit for years. You can get a replacement card by calling the SSA or visiting your local office. It is important to gather all the necessary documents in advance. Using a program such as pdfsimpli to complete the form can save time and help you ensure that you have all the required information.
You can also use a Social Security Replacement Form to request a new card for someone. You need the same documentation as you would for a first-time application; although the documentary requirements are slightly reduced (you only need one form of identification instead of two). There are businesses that will fill out the SS-5 application and tell you which documents to submit. However, the SSA recommends that you do it yourself to ensure that your personal information is secure.
