Understanding Social Security Form SS-5

To get a Social Security card, either for the first time or as a replacement, you have to complete Social Security Form SS-5 and submit at least two supporting documents to prove your identity, age, and citizenship status. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process, don’t worry—we’ll walk you through the steps to complete it.

Why Would I Need Form SS-5?

Here are some specific situations when you might need to complete this form.

• You’ve never had a Social Security card before, perhaps because your parents never applied for one on your behalf, and you need one now to get a job.
• You’ve had a Social Security card before, but you’ve lost it, it was stolen, or it’s become too damaged to use.
• You’ve changed your name because you’ve gotten married or divorced, or for some other reason, and you need a new card with your new name.
• Your citizenship status has changed—for example, you’ve gone from holding legal residency (green card status) to becoming a U.S. citizen.
• You have a card, but it contains a clerical error, such as a misspelling of your name or an incorrect birth date, and you want to get a new card with accurate information.
• You’ve just given birth or adopted a child, and you want to get a card for them so you can claim your child as a dependent on your tax return, open a bank account in their name, and handle other tasks that require your child to have a Social Security number. 
• You’re caring for an adult-dependent, and you need a Social Security card for them so you can obtain government benefits and manage finances.

Below are some details about how to use Form SS-5 for each of these situations.

How to Apply for a Social Security Card

If you are applying for a Social Security card for the first time, or for a change in your card, you’ll have to apply the old-fashioned way. You must mail Form SS-5 and your supporting documents to your nearest Social Security office or take them there in person. While you can get a copy of Form SS-5 online—and even fill it out on your computer—you cannot submit the form online. (If you find a website that says it can do this for you, it’s a scam.)

However, if you only need a replacement card, you can do this online once you have set up a “my Social Security” account on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. Such an account allows you to, among other things, ”receive personalized estimates of future benefits based on your real earnings, see your latest Statement, and review your earnings history,” according to the SSA website.

You always have to submit supporting documents to prove the applicant’s age, identity, and citizenship status when applying for a Social Security card for any reason. Note: the SSA won’t accept photocopies. It will only accept originals or copies certified by the agency that issued the document. Even if you take a photocopy and an original to a notary to get the photocopy notarized, it won’t be good enough. The SSA is strict about its requirements.

Getting Your First Card As an Adult

If you are 12 or older and have never had a Social Security card, you must take an extra step beyond filling out Form SS-5 and submitting supporting documents.

You will have to appear in person at your local Social Security office for an interview. You’ll also have to prove that you have never been assigned a Social Security number. Documents the government might accept as proof include records demonstrating that you lived outside of the United States long term or, if you haven’t been outside the country long term, your school records.

Replacing Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Cards

You’ll also need a new Social Security card if yours is damaged, lost, or stolen. In these cases, the SSA limits you to three replacement cards per calendar year and 10 per lifetime.

Getting a replacement card is straightforward: just fill out Form SS-5 and gather the required supporting documents. You can apply for a replacement card by mail, in person, or online through a “my Social Security” account as described above.

Replacements Due to a Name Change

Have you changed your name because you got married, divorced, or for some other reason? If so, you’ll need a new Social Security card. In addition to the basic requirements for Form SS-5, you’ll need an original or certified copy (not merely a photocopy or notarized copy) of your marriage license.

Changing your name on your Social Security card is one of the first steps in completing the name change process. Your updated Social Security card will help you change your name on your driver’s license, with your employer, and with your bank.

New Card for Immigration Status Change

You might also need a new card if your immigration status has changed. The SSA issues three types of Social Security cards, and two of them limit your ability to get a job. If you’ve changed your status, you might need a new card before you can work or change jobs. You’ll need to submit additional supporting documents, such as your certificate of U.S. citizenship.

Getting a Card for a Dependent

Another common reason for applying for a Social Security card is that you just gave birth or adopted a child. The SSA recommends getting your child a Social Security number as soon as possible; in fact, you can apply for it at the hospital when you apply for a birth certificate.

If you are filling out an application on behalf of someone else, including a child younger than 18, you’ll have to prove your identity as well as the identity of the applicant.

You’ll also have to prove that you are related to or responsible for the person, which may require additional documents. Otherwise, the application process is the same as if you were applying for your own card.

The Bottom Line

Social Security Form SS-5 is required any time you request a new or replacement Social Security card from the government. Filling out this one-page form is straightforward. Just make sure to double-check your work, so a careless mistake doesn’t delay your application, and carefully follow the requirements for submitting supporting documents. Make photocopies of everything you submit for your records, and expect to wait 10 business days to receive your new card.