by Bob Schmidt

Created on: October 07, 2009

If you need to obtain a replacement social security card, be assured that you are not alone. It is not a big problem, and you can easily replace it. As long as you know your social security number, the need for a card is minimal. It is easy for an employer or bank to verify an active social security account as long as your personal identity is not in question.

It is important to know your number, which appears on paycheck stubs, on your tax returns, and usually on insurance documents. If you are an American citizen, and have record of the number, doing without a card is a viable option.

However, replacing the card is free at your local Social Security office. They require documentation that proves your identity in addition to the correct number. Should your file not have documentation that proves your citizenship, proof will be required with an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, naturalization papers, or a notarized certificate of adoption.

Since documentation may be required, a quick phone call to the local office is a good idea. They may tell you that the procedure is somewhat different for non-citizens who lose their cards. Resident aliens who request a replacement card will be required to present documents proving their current lawful work-authorized status.

In many areas you can mail or deliver your documents to the local Social Security office. But, in metropolitan New York and Los Angeles, it is necessary to present the application for a new card in person. The same is true in other cities such as Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, and Sacramento, Cal.

There are services that are not part of the Social Security Administration that offer help with social security replacement cards for a fee. They usually charge something like $20., and can be located through Internet searches. It is no less trouble to provide them with the documentation than dealing directly with social security offices. Without giving it much thought, some people pay these people needlessly for a free service from the US Social Security office.

Since you can get your card at no cost through the Social Security Administration, take the initiative to get it done. They are prepared to permit the issuance of up to three replacement cards in a year, up to ten cards during your lifetime. After that, they may charge for replacement services. That is a pretty generous policy.

For further information, the link below will bring up the social security government web site. http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cg i-bin/ssa.cfg/php/enduser/std_ adp.php?p_faqid=251

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