The Purpose Of Social Security Form SS-5

When certain circumstances in your life change, you’ll need to apply for a new Social Security card. To get a new card, you have to complete a government form called the 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.

The form you must use to apply for a new or replacement Social Security card is form SS-5. At the top, it says “Social Security Administration: Application for a Social Security Card.” 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 the birth date associated with your Social Security number is wrong. 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 him or her so you can claim your child as a dependent on your tax return (see How To Claim A Dependent On Your Tax Return), open a bank account in his/her 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 for them and manage their finances.

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

Regardless of why you’re applying for a Social Security 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. There is no way to apply for a Social Security card online, so if you think you’ve found a site that will let you do this, don’t use it: It's likely to be a scam.

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. This step can be a hassle because you might not have these documents on hand, and even if you do, 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.

As noted above, most American parents get a Social Security child for each baby in order, among other things, to claim that child as a dependent on their taxes. 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.

You’ll also need a new Social Security card if yours is damaged, lost or stolen. In these cases, the Social Security Administration (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.

Have you changed your name because you got married, got 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 a 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, so do it as soon as possible. Your updated Social Security card will help you change your name on your driver’s license, with your employer and with your bank. (For further reading, see Financial Changes When You Marry and Why Marriage Makes Financial Sense.)

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. (For related reading, see Steps To Renew Or Replace Your Green Card and Understand The Requirements For U.S. Citizenship.)

Getting a replacement Social Security card to correct an error is basically the same as getting a replacement Social Security card for any other reason. There is no place on form SS-5 to indicate that you are requesting error correction, so include a brief note with your application to make sure the replacement card is issued accurately.

Another common reason for applying for a Social Security card is because you just gave birth or adopted a child. The SSA recommends getting him or her 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. (See New Baby, New Tax Break for related reading.)

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

While there are businesses you can pay to fill out a Social Security card application for you and tell you what documents to submit, the SSA doesn’t recommend taking that route. We don’t recommend it either, because it’s best to limit who gets your sensitive personal information. What's more, if you complete the paperwork yourself, it’s free. That’s right: There’s no charge to get a Social Security card, even if it’s your 10th replacement card.

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 once all your paperwork is squared away with the SSA.