Replacement Card for a U.S. Born Adult 
You can replace your Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However , you may not need to get a replacement card. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example , changes in immigration status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also , you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship. 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. You may be able to request your replacement Social Security card online. Our online service is a fast and secure way to get a replacement. If you are age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address and have amySocial Securityaccount , you can apply for a replacement card online. For more information about creating my Social Security account and getting a replacement card online , visit our Social Security Number and Card website. 

What original documents do I need? 
Citizenship If you have not already established your U.S. citizenship with us , we need to see proof of U.S. citizenship. We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport. 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 these specific do

user: What things will I need to get my Social Security Card?

assistant: If you have not already established your U.S. citizenship with us , we need to see proof of U.S. citizenship . We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship . These include a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport .

assistant: Have you already established your U.S. citizenship with us?

user: Yes, I have proven my U.S. citizenship before

assistant: Okay, so you have shown proof in the form of a  U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport before 

user: Also, I heard I needed some identity proof so what qualifies as identity proof?

assistant: We would accept your U.S. driver 's license, State - issued non - driver identification card or U.S. passport .

user: What if I don't have any of those things?

assistant: We would ask to see other documents. Any documents submitted , must be current not expired and show your name , identifying information, date of birth or age and preferably a recent photograph. Documents such as an employee identification card or other similar cards

user: Okay, and how much will the Social Security card cost?

assistant: You can replace your Social Security card for free if it was lost or stolen .

user: So I can just come in and get a Social Security card for free whenever I want?

assistant: There are limits to how many replacement cards you can get. However, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship .