Original Card for a U.S. Born Adult 
Important You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current not expired. We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. 

What original documents do I need? 
Citizenship We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport. Age You must present your birth certificate. If one exists , you must submit it. If a birth certificate does not exist , we may be able to accept your : Religious record made before the age of 5 showing your date of birth ; U.S. hospital record of your birth ; or U.S. passport. Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number must appear in person for an interview. We will ask for evidence to show you do not have a Social Security number. Here are examples of documents you can use to prove a Social Security number was never assigned : If you lived outside the United States for an extended period , a current or previous passport , school and/or employment records , and any other record that would show long - term residence outside the United States could be used to show you do not have a Social Security number. If you have lived in the United States and you are applying for an original Social Security number , we may ask you for information about the schools you attended or we may ask you to provide copies of tax records that would show you were never assigned a Social Security number. Identity We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current not expired and show your name, identifying information date of birth or age and preferably a recent photograph. For example , as proof of identity Social Security must see your : U.S. driver's license ; State - issued non - driver identification card ; or U.S. passport. If you do not have one of th

user: What documents do I need to get a replacement Social Security card with my original number?

assistant: This will depend on your citizenship status.

assistant: Do you have your birth certificate?

user: Yes, I have it.

assistant: Excellent. You will need to submit your birth certificate to obtain your card.

user: Will Social Security accept a photocopy of my birth certificate?

assistant: No. It must be the original document or a copy certified by the agency that issued it. 

user: What about a notarized copy?

assistant: No, we can accept notarized copies.

user: Will Social Security accept any other documents besides a birth certificate?

assistant: If you do not have a birth certificate, Social Security may accept your religious record with your date of birth before the age of 5 or a U.S. hospital record of your birth.

user: What documents do I need to prove my identity?

assistant: Any document you submit must not be expired. It should also show your name and date a birth or age. We also prefer that it has a recent photograph of you.

user: Will this ensure that I can get a replacement card?

assistant: Yes, as long as your documents are accepted, you should have no trouble getting a new card.