What To Do If You Lose Your Social Security Card
Your Social Security number is valuable to identity thieves because its linked to your identity. Learn what to do if your Social Security card is stolen or lost and how to keep your personal information safe.
Reading time: 5 minutes
Highlights:
- Your Social Security number can be valuable information for identity thieves
- Consider placing a security freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports if your Social Security card is lost
- If you know your Social Security number has been stolen, there are some additional steps you can take
Your Social Security number is a valuable piece of information to identity thieves. Its a key element of your identity and is also linked to taxes and credit information. And except in limited circumstances, it cant be changed. Thats why its so worrisome to have your card lost or stolen.
Here are some steps to take for a lost or stolen Social Security card:
1. Consider placing a fraud alert or a security freeze on your credit reports or locking them. With an initial fraud alert, potential lenders and creditors are encouraged to take additional steps to verify your identity, such as contacting you by phone, before extending new credit. A fraud alert lasts for one year and can be renewed. Fraud alerts are free. Contact one of the three nationwide credit bureaus Equifax, Experian or TransUnion to request a fraud alert, and that bureau will notify the other two.
I Lost My Social Security Card
Your Social Security card is an extremely important document, and you should do everything you can to keep it safe. However, accidents sometimes still happen. So, what happens if you lose your Social Security card? There are some things that you need to do to keep yourself safe after losing your card, but thankfully, the process of getting a Social Security replacement card is usually quick and easy. As long as you know the process for getting a replacement card, you can have your new card within a couple of weeks in most cases. Keep reading as we tell you exactly what you need to do if you lose your card.
What Documents Do I Need To Submit To Apply For A New Social Security Card
You can apply for the SSN card in two ways via the SSA website or at an office. Suppose you plan to do the latter after you download and print an application form online you need to attach original documents of name, address, birth certificate, and a more recent photo. Photocopied documents or notarized copies are not accepted.
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How To Get A Copy Of A Marriage License
County governments issue marriage licenses. It may be a clerk of court, probate court, or a marriage license department that issues them. Contact the county government where you’ll be married to apply for a license.
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Most marriage licenses expire within 30 days to a year, depending on the issuing state.
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If yours expires or gets lost before you get married, apply for a new one.
Cant Find Your Social Security Card Heres How To Request A New One
If youve lost your Social Security card or changed your name recently, youll need to replace it as soon as possible.
Katie Teague
Writer
Katie is a writer covering all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events. When shes not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.
Your Social Security number is needed for a number of things in life to confirm your identity. For instance, when you apply for a new credit card, file your taxes or if you need to verify your identity online. You need your physical Social Security card much less frequently, usually for situations like starting a new job or if you dont yet have your number memorized. So if you dont have it when you need it, you could be in trouble.
If youve misplaced your Social Security card or have recently changed your name, you can get a new one. But how you do it depends on whether you need a new one with updated information or a replacement without any changes.
Well tell you what you need to get a new Social Security card for either situation. For more, heres when its OK to give out your Social Security number. While youre here, check out these identity theft protection and monitoring services.
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Wills Or Other Estate Planning Documents
In Texas, if you have lost your original will, you should execute a new will. This is true even if you have a copy of the original will, because Texas law imposes many burdens on those trying to probate a lost original will. If there are no originals or copies, then a new will must be executed. As a practical matter, even if you have your original will, it may be necessary to draft a new will due to the dramatic change in property value/ownership due to a disaster. Certain gifts in the will may fail if property has been destroyed, or the prior will also may not adequately deal with insurance proceeds as a replacement for specific gifts.
If you do not have the original will for a recently deceased person but do have a copy, the copy can be submitted to probate. To probate a lost will, three things must be proved: due execution , reason why the original will cannot be produced , and the contents of the will, either with a copy or by a witness who is familiar with the contents. Under Texas law, if a person dies and their will cannot be proved, the person is considered to have died intestate and their estate will be distributed according to state law.
You may want to consider taking your will to your local county clerks records office. The office will keep the original will for safekeeping but will not make it public unless a formal probate action is filed.
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Proof Of Us Citizenship
a. Original U.S. birth certificate, or b. Original U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or c. Original U.S. Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate, or d. Original U.S. Passport.
a. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed, or b. Original Foreign Passport, must be current and signed.
NOTE: If the name at birth and name on the identity document are different, proof of name change must also be submitted.
4. Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application
If applicable a parent can sign the form for a child up to age 18 a child can sign the form above age 12.
a. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed, orb. Original Foreign Passport, must be current and signed.
33 Nine Elms LaneLondon SW11 7US
We will copy and return original documents within 3-4 days. We do not recommend mailing important personal documents from outside the UK. If you choose to mail your application you should use a service that allows you to track your package. Within the UK, we recommend Special Delivery mail outside the UK we recommend you use a Courier. You should include a pre-paid return envelope or courier package. The Federal Benefits Unit will return documents by regular mail if you do not provide a pre-paid envelope or courier package. Processing time for SSN applications is approximately 8-10 weeks.
Suitable proof of identity documents are:
If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal Permanent Resident Alien, see item 5. below for instructions.
U.S. Embassy
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Cost Of Replacement Social Security Card
Thankfully, there is no cost to request a replacement card. Your new card will be sent to you free of charge. However, there are limits to the number of replacement cards that you can request. You are limited to three replacement requests per year. On top of this limit, you are also limited to a total of ten replacement requests over your lifetime. This is another reason it is so important to keep your card safe and protected. If you exceed the limit of requests, then you could find yourself in a bad situation if you do not have a Social Security card and cannot request a new one.
Many people wonder, Do Social Security cards expire? The answer is no. Since your card never expires, the only reason you should need a replacement is if your card is lost, stolen, or damaged. Make sure you protect your card so that you do not hit the limit on replacement requests.
How To Protect Your Identity When Your Social Security Card Is Stolen
If your social security card has been stolen, youve lost important vital records that prove your identity. Taking steps to protect yourself will help prevent fiscal losses.
- If you dont know your social security number, contact the Social Security Office first with a copy of your birth certificate or passport.
- Then, report identity theft to the FTC. Visit IdentityTheft.Gov and fill out the wizard to make a report.
- Also, call the IRS at 800-908-4490 to report the theft and to prevent someone from submitting a tax return in your name. You may have to prove your identity with your birth record.
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Can You Put A Freeze On Your Social Security Number
Yes, you can place a freeze on your SSN. One option is to place a fraud alert on your SSN. This notifies the credit agencies that your SSN might be used illegally to commit fraud or other scams. However, people might still be able to open credit in your name. Placing a hard freeze on your SSN might be a better option. This prevents new credit from being opened in your name without very stringent identify verification taking place.
Can You Change Your Ssn
Your Social Security number cannot be changed just because your card was misplaced or stolen, to avoid bankruptcy, or to settle valid obligations. Social Security will only take the following into account when choosing a new number: Your family members sequential numbers are making things difficult.
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What Happens If You Lose Your Social Security Card 10 Times
You may receive no more than three replacement social security number cards in a year and ten replacement social security number cards per lifetime. We may allow for reasonable exceptions to these limits on a case-by-case basis in compelling circumstances.
Where can I go to get a new Social Security card?
If you have questions or need help understanding how to request your replacement Social Security card online, call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your Social Security office. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
What do you need to get a Social Security card?
Get a certified copy of a document showing a birth, marriage or divorce that took place in the United States. Note: If you are filing an application on behalf of someone else, you also must show us evidence of your relationship to, or responsibility for, that person. You must also show us proof of your identity.
How old do you have to be to get a new Social Security card?
Are a U.S. citizen age 18 years or older with a U.S. mailing address Are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card and Have a drivers license or a state-issued identification card from one of the many participating states. If your state does not yet participate in this service, check back soon.
How To Report A Lost Social Security Card
If you would like to report a lost social security card, you should visit a local police station and contact the Social Security Administration right away. The police should be made aware of the situation to deploy all the available methods to track it down for you. The SSA, on the other hand, will provide you with the necessary steps to take to prevent certain financial and personal risks.
The toll-free number of the Social Security Administration is 1-800-772-1213.
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Applying For A New Social Security Number
Persons wishing to request a new Social Security number must apply in person at a Social Security office and complete an application.
Applicants must also provide a statement explaining the reasons for needing a new number along with current, credible, third-party evidence documenting the reasons for needing a new number.
Finally, applicants must provide original documents establishing:
- Evidence of a legal name change, if appropriate.
For more information about changing your Social Security number in cases of domestic violence, see New Numbers for Domestic Violence Victims.
To find an SSA office near you, visit the Social Security Office Locator or call 1-800-772-1213. No appointment is necessary. Once the SSA has accepted their application, applicants can expect a new Social Security card in 10 to 14 days.
A new Social Security number is unlikely to solve all problems related to identity theft. Government agencies and some businesses may keep records under personsâ original Social Security numbers. In addition, because credit reporting companies use Social Security numbers and other personal information to identify a personâs credit file, using a new number doesnât guarantee a fresh start.
What Do I Do If I Think My Identity Has Been Stolen
If you have identity theft insurance, file a claim with it. Notify businesses that your identity has been stolen. Submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission. Contact the police department in your area. Set up a fraud alert on your credit files. Credit may be frozen. If one is available, enroll in a credit monitoring program.
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Birth Certificate Copies: Americans Born Abroad
If you were born to American parents abroad, they should have registered your birth with the country’s U.S. embassy or consulate. If they did, they would have received a Consular Report of Birth Abroad . You can get a copy of this report from the U.S. Department of State. Depending on the country, a vital records office in the nation may also list the birth.
What if the State Department cannot locate your CRBA? If you were born on a military base abroad, your parents might not have registered your birth with the U.S. embassy. In that case, you may have to contact the hospital where you were born.
Closely Review Your Credit Reports And Accounts
If you ever notice unusual activity, report it immediately to the applicable creditor as well as to one of the three major credit bureaus. You must provide strong evidence to the Social Security Administration of fraud on your account to secure a new Social Security Number. An identity theft protection service can help you monitor and protect your accounts to help with this process.
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What Can Someone Do With Your Ssn And Id
Your Social Security number may be used by a dishonest individual to get further personal information about you. Your number and excellent credit might be used by identity thieves to apply for additional credit in your name. Then, your credit is harmed when they utilize credit cards but fail to pay their expenses.
Identity Theft: What You Need To Know
Identity theft cases surged in New York State in 2020, inflicting financial losses on individuals and threatening disruption to government programs as well as private financial institutions, according to Federal Trade Commission . Read the May 2021 New York State Comptroller’s report The Increasing Threat of Identity Theft to learn more
Thieves with access to personal information Social Security number, birth certificate, PIN or credit card numbers, even pre-approved credit card solicitations can steal your identity and apply for credit in your name, racking up huge debts without you even knowing that it has happeneduntil its too late. Identity thieves also use individuals personally identifiable information for a variety of other purposes, including fraudulently obtaining medical services, unemployment insurance, prescription drugs or medical insurance coverage. To protect yourself, follow these suggestions:
Safeguard Your Personal Information:
Protect Your Bank Accounts and Your Mail:
Protect Yourself on the Internet and Protect Your Computer:
- If you must use a public computer, confirm first that it is not running a desktop search engine and that the proprietor has denied users administrative privileges so they can’t install any programs that might be used to capture your emails or passwords.
If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft:
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How Can I Protect My Child Against Identity Theft
One of the best things you can do to provide identity theft protection for your child is to keep their Social Security card stored in a safe and secure place until it is needed. Do not carry the card around with you or allow the child to carry it. Also, you should obtain a free credit report for them each year to monitor their credit history and make sure that nothing suspicious appears on the report.
How Thieves Can Profit From Your Social Security Card
That being said, if your SS card has fallen into the wrong hands, you may be at risk of identity theft. Thieves can use your SSN to:
- Apply for credit in your name and then not pay the bills, which can damage your credit score1
If you live in any of the above states, go to the next section .
NOTE: Was your drivers license or ID card issued by a U.S. territory like American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands? If so, you cant request a new SS card online you must do it either over the phone or in person.
If you live in an eligible state, there are a few more requirements to request a new SS card online:
- You are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older.
- You have a U.S. mailing address, which includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses.
- You arent requesting any changes to the card, just a new card.
- Your drivers license or state identification card is from one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C.
After you request a new card, you should get a replacement within 10 to 14 days.4
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