When you lose your Social Security card, you might be apprehensive about the procedure that is required to get a new one. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration has made this as easy as possible and has also created online resources for people to use. It is somewhat easy to lose this card. They are relatively small and can be easily discarded or dropped because of their size. Therefore, if you would like to request a new one, here is an overview of how the process works, and whether or not this is something that you can do at no cost.
How Do You Replace Your Social Security Card?
First of all, you are going to need to use the proper form. You can either pick one up at your local SSA office, or you can go online to obtain one at https://www.application-filing-service.com. If you prefer speaking with people, and you are not that savvy on the Internet, you will certainly want to go to the local office. Once you have this, there are some prerequisites to requesting one. For example, you must be 18 years of age, or older, and also be a US citizen. You also need to have a United States mailing address, and if you are not requesting a change of name, you will have everything that you need to move forward. It’s also important to have a driver’s license, or perhaps a state-issued ID. With all of that in hand, you will have the information that is necessary to fill out the form and send it into the Social Security Administration.
The Things You Must Prove Before Submitting This Application
The first thing that you must do is prove your identity. This is one of the reasons that bringing your driver’s license is so important. If you don’t have that, or even a state-issued non-driver form of identification, a US passport will work just fine. If those are not available, and you are going to school, a school ID card will suffice. In addition to this, an employee identification card, health insurance card, or even your US military card will allow them to identify who you are. Second, you must prove your age. This is most easily done with your passport but you could also bring in a copy of your birth certificate. You may even bring in different types of religious records, or a US hospital record of birth, in order to show that specific date. Finally, you need to prove that you are a US citizen. This is accomplished by using either your birth certificate from the United States or presenting your US passport. This is a little bit different for people that are in the midst of going through obtaining immigration status.
How To Improve Immigration Status
Before the Social Security Administration will provide you with a replacement Social Security card, US immigration documents must be seen. There are several forms of acceptable documentation, most of which you should have available. This will include your arrival and departure record, your employment authorization document, or a lawful permanent resident card. If you have any of these, this will suffice in lieu of a US birth certificate or passport.
Is This The Same Process For Changing Your Name?
In some cases, the reason you are replacing your Social Security card is that you have recently become married. Another possibility is that you have changed your name legally. There are documents that you will need to bring in to show the legal change which will include a marriage certificate and any legal documents that will pertain to your legal name change other than marriage. You will need to use form SS-5 to get this done. Once you have submitted this, along with copies of information showing your legal name change, they will be able to process your request. Some of this can get very complex. Therefore, even if you do print some of these documents from the Internet, it is highly recommended that you go to the local SSA office to help them get you through the process.
How Long Does It Take To Receive Your New SS Card?
Most of the time, this can be sent back to you within two weeks. It may take a little longer or it might be sooner. It depends on the status of your citizenship, and whether or not there are outstanding problems with your current situation. They may request additional documentation for further verification that you are legally in the US. Other than that, you are looking at no more than a week or two before your new Social Security card arrives. The only other reason there might be a delay as if you are changing your name. This tends to take a little bit longer. Different people have to verify all of the other documents for the name change that you have undergone.
Is Getting A Replacement Social Security Card Free Or Not?
Obtaining a Social Security card is a free process. Whether you are getting a replacement because you lost one, or if you are changing your name, there is never a charge for the service. You simply have to follow the rules and regulations, providing the proper paperwork and forms to get this done.
Now that you know that obtaining a replacement Social Security card is free, you don’t have to worry about the cost. All you need to focus upon is bringing in the right documents to the local SSA office. Once there, they can help you with any questions that you may have. They will make copies of the different documents, and also send in the originals that may be requested. This is the easiest way to go about this, but if you do decide to fill out the forms online, you also have that option. In fact, the Social Security Administration has made it possible for many people to go through the process on the web by setting up many different websites in states like New York. Soon there will be websites for every state, allowing the long lines that people often wait in to be avoided altogether. Regardless of whether you do this online, or if you do this in person, the cost will always be the same. Getting a replacement Social Security card is going to be free for everyone that will request one.
