Lost Your Social Security Card? Replacement Steps for Newcomers to the United States
A replacement Social Security card is free. Check whether you need the card, which documents apply to a noncitizen adult, and how to start through SSA.
First ask whether you need a replacement
SSA says that in most cases knowing your Social Security number is enough and a physical card is not necessary. If you do need a replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged card, use SSA’s official replacement page. The replacement is free. A lost card does not by itself mean you need a new Social Security number.
Start online and follow your own result
Answer the questions on SSA’s replacement page. Some applicants can finish online, while others need an appointment at a Social Security office or Card Center. Do not assume that another person’s online eligibility applies to you.
SSA’s September 2026 guide for non-U.S.-citizen adults says to start on the replacement page, then visit an office or Card Center with the required documents within 45 days of starting the process. You may be able to schedule the appointment yourself after the online application. If you cannot use the online route, the guide describes using Form SS-5 and taking the required documents to an office.
Prepare the documents for a noncitizen adult
SSA’s noncitizen-adult guide lists evidence of immigration status, identity and, where applicable, work eligibility or a valid nonwork reason. Examples include a permanent resident card, an employment authorization document, or specified I-94 and passport evidence. Students and exchange visitors may need additional papers. Use the exact list for your situation rather than assuming any identity card is enough.
Bring original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. SSA says it does not accept ordinary photocopies or notarized copies, and the documents must be current. Its guide also explains age evidence and when a foreign birth certificate is required. Check before visiting so that a missing document does not delay the request.
Allow time for delivery and use official help
SSA says a replacement card arrives by mail in five to ten business days after it completes your request. This is not a promise that the entire process, including document checks or an appointment, will take that long. A local office cannot print the card for you.
For help, SSA lists 1-800-772-1213 and TTY 1-800-325-0778, generally Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in most U.S. time zones. Start from SSA.gov and do not pay a third party merely to obtain a replacement that SSA provides free.
A stolen number is a separate problem
Replacing the card does not itself deal with misuse of the number. SSA directs people who think they are victims of identity theft to report a stolen Social Security number to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the official links from SSA’s number-and-card page and follow the recovery steps for your circumstances.
