What you need to bring and where to go

You get a Social Security card by visiting your local Social Security office in person with proof of identity, proof of age, and proof of citizenship or legal residency. The office will take your information, photograph your documents, and mail the card to you within two to four weeks. You cannot get a card by mail or phone — you must appear in person.

Find your nearest Social Security office by going to ssa.gov/locator or calling 1-800-772-1213. Have your zip code ready. The office will tell you their hours and whether you need an appointment or can walk in.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Social Security office in person with original documents proving your identity, age, and citizenship or legal residency status.
  • Acceptable identity documents include a driver's license, passport, or state ID card; acceptable age documents include a birth certificate or passport.
  • U.S. citizens need a birth certificate or passport; non-citizens need a passport plus an immigration document such as a green card or visa.
  • The Social Security Administration mails the card to your address within two to four weeks after your visit.
  • If you were born outside the United States, bring your original birth certificate or a certified copy from the country where you were born.

Documents that prove your identity

You need one document from the Social Security Administration's list of acceptable identity proofs. A driver's license, state ID card, or U.S. passport are the most common. A military ID, employee ID, or school ID may work if it has your photo and signature. Expired documents are acceptable as long as they still show your face clearly.

If you do not have any of these, bring two documents that together show your name and date of birth — such as a bank statement and a utility bill, or a lease and a credit card statement. The Social Security office staff can tell you over the phone whether your specific documents will work.

Documents that prove your age

Bring an original birth certificate or a certified copy issued by the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. A U.S. passport also proves age. Hospital records from your birth, a baptism certificate, or an adoption record may work if you have nothing else, but call ahead to confirm.

If you were born outside the United States, the birth certificate must be from the country where you were born. You can request a certified copy from that country's vital records office. Some countries mail them directly to you; others require you to go through a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Documents that prove citizenship or legal residency

U.S. citizens need only their birth certificate or passport — documents you are already bringing. If you were born in the United States, your birth certificate is enough. If you were born outside the United States, your U.S. passport proves citizenship.

Non-citizens must bring a passport plus an immigration document. A green card (Permanent Resident Card), employment authorization document (EAD), visa, or I-94 arrival/departure record all work. If you have a work visa or student visa, bring the visa itself plus your passport. Refugees and asylees should bring their approval notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

What happens at the Social Security office

When you arrive, you will fill out Form SS-5, the process for a Social Security Card. The office provides this form, or you can print it from ssa.gov before you go. Bring a pen. The staff will review your documents, ask you questions to confirm the information, and take a photograph of your documents (not of you).

You will not receive the card that day. The Social Security Administration processes the process and mails the card to the address you provide. Standard processing takes two to four weeks. If you need the card urgently for work or school, ask the office whether expedited processing is available in your area — some offices can speed this up, but not all.

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged card

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you follow the same process: visit your local Social Security office with proof of identity and age. You do not need to bring proof of citizenship again if you already have a Social Security number. Bring the same types of documents as a first-time applicant — a driver's license and birth certificate are sufficient.

You can report a stolen card to the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213, but you still must visit the office in person to get a replacement card. Reporting it by phone creates a record that helps protect you from fraud.

Getting a card for a child

A parent or legal guardian must visit the Social Security office with the child. Bring the child's original birth certificate or certified copy, proof of the parent's or guardian's identity, and proof of the child's age (usually the birth certificate again). The child does not need to be present, but many offices prefer that they are.

Newborns can get a Social Security number and card through the hospital at birth if the parent requests it on the birth registration form. If you did not do this, you can visit the Social Security office anytime after the child is born.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Social Security card without a birth certificate?

You need proof of age, and a birth certificate is the standard document. If you do not have one, bring other documents that show your date of birth, such as a hospital record, baptism certificate, or adoption record. Call your local Social Security office first to confirm they will accept what you have.

What if I was born outside the United States and do not have my original birth certificate?

Contact the vital records office in the country where you were born and request a certified copy. You can often do this by mail or through a U.S. embassy or consulate. The process varies by country and can take several weeks, so start early if you need the card by a certain date.

Do I need an appointment at the Social Security office?

It depends on your local office. Some require appointments; others take walk-ins. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov/locator to find out your office's policy. If appointments are required and none are available soon, ask about other offices in your area.

How long does it take to get the card in the mail?

Standard processing takes two to four weeks. Some offices offer expedited processing if you need it for work or school, but not all locations have this option. Ask the staff at your office whether they can speed up your process.

What if I need to change my name on my Social Security card?

Visit your local Social Security office with your current card, proof of your new name (such as a marriage certificate or court order), and proof of identity. The process is the same as getting a replacement card, and the new card arrives within two to four weeks.