Comments on: Replacing Social Security Card

Question: Replacing Social Security Card

LittleMissCranky — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:10:24 -0800

How long does it take to get a replacement social security card? I'm in Texas, if it matters.

By: fluffy battle kitten

fluffy battle kitten — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:19:24 -0800

It took me about a week to receive my new card from the time I visited the social security office and showed them proof of identity.

By: ryanhealy

ryanhealy — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:20:26 -0800

http://www.ssa.gov/reach.htm

Why not just call tomorrow morning and ask?

By: legotech

legotech — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:11:53 -0800

I think it took a couple of weeks...but when I did it in person they gave me a form that was some sort of official form that was a replacement until the regular card style one arrived

By: OTA

OTA — Tue, 27 May 2008 01:42:56 -0800

Took about 1 week the last time I had to do this, but that was 15 or so years ago. I went down to the SSA office in person, filled out a form, showed my ID, and 1 week later the card arrived in the mail. Simple, almost painless.

By: Xurando

Xurando — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:09:30 -0800

By: romakimmy

romakimmy — Tue, 27 May 2008 04:11:58 -0800

Ditto legotech. I replaced mine about two years ago. They gave me an official form that worked as a temporary replacement.

What is the need for a new card?

I needed it to renew my expired Texas drivers license and was told to bring in either the card or said official form. No other alternatives were given.

By: Verdandi

Verdandi — Tue, 27 May 2008 04:34:26 -0800

What is the need for a new card? In general they are not an official ID.

When beginning a new job, I-9 forms usually ask for two forms of ID: A driver's license and a birth certificate or a DL and social security card are the most common. Copies of tax returns aren't on my list of acceptable forms of ID :P

Anyway, it takes about two weeks or so, but the people at the SS office will give you a temporary replacement that you can use (kinda like an interim driver's license).

By: sondrialiac

sondrialiac — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:28:17 -0800

What is the need for a new card? In general they are not an official ID. I haven't had one in over 20 years. If a social security number is needed to be verified you can show copies of tax returns etc.

I guess you're last name doesn't sound Spanish in origin. Anyway, if you do lose your picture ID, it is very helpful to have your social security card around, with your signature on it. It does, in that case, act as official ID; however, it is not enough, on its own, to verify your identity.

By: sondrialiac

sondrialiac — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:28:28 -0800

You're = your

By: mmascolino

mmascolino — Tue, 27 May 2008 10:44:01 -0800

Passports also count as identification for the I-9 paperwork.

By: pineapple

pineapple — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:26:07 -0800

What is the need for a new card? In general they are not an official ID. I haven't had one in over 20 years. If a social security number is needed to be verified you can show copies of tax returns etc.

This is a Texas thing. Texas requires that you show SS card for driver's license purposes in order to verify US citizenship while also checking you against the "deadbeat dads" database. The DMV reports your SSN to the state attorney general's child support enforcement division -- so they can get your latest address and come find you if you are delinquent in what you owe.

One can also show a military ID or official college transcript, in place of a SS card.

By: marble

marble — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:09:31 -0800

I work for the Texas Department of Public Safety in the Driver's License Division, and there's a sheet that I can picture in my mind (sitting on my desk right now) that says what all the acceptable forms of identification are. It was recently revised (as of May 20th). Unfortunately, I can't remember the whole thing exactly. There are separate lists for what counts for primary, secondary, and supporting documentation.

Ah, here it is online if you might find it useful. If this is what you need it for, you might find something else on the list you can use immediately.