A Faster and More Convenient Way to Request a Social Security Number and Card
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: January 10, 2025
Do you need an original Social Security number or a replacement Social Security card? We offer a faster and more convenient way for you to start – and possibly finish – the application online.
When you visit our Social Security number and card page, we’ll ask you a few questions to determine the best way for you to apply. You may be able to:
- Complete the application online.
- Start the application online, self-schedule an appointment, then bring any required documents to your local Social Security office or card center to complete the process.
- Schedule an in-office appointment to complete your application. If you are not able to use our online option or you do not get the option to schedule an appointment online, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment at a local office or card center.
By starting the application online, your in-office visit will typically take less time.
Note: We have recently expanded appointment-based services as part of our ongoing efforts to serve you more efficiently. If you need to visit a local Social Security office or card center, please make an appointment.
Finish your application in the office
Before your visit to complete your application, please follow these steps:
- Determine what documents you need to bring with you. They must be originals or certified copies.
- Follow directions at the kiosk when you arrive at the office. Our Mobile Check-in Express makes it easier to check in. To use Mobile Check-in Express, scan the QR code posted near the entrance and turn on your mobile notifications. We’ll alert you when we’re ready to help you.
- Meet with one of our employees who will verify the information you submitted online and review your documents. We don’t need to keep them.
That’s it! Whether you apply for a Social Security card online or at an office, we’ll process the application and mail a card to you, usually within 14 business days.
For more helpful information, watch our videos:
- Your Social Security Number & Card: What You Need to Know.
- Cards for U.S. Citizens – Children.
- Cards for Non-U.S. Citizens – Adults.
Please share this information with your friends and family – and post it on social media.
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Tags: General Information, online services, Social Security card
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A J.
4 hours on hold to schedule appointment because you can no longer make an apointment online. Currently still on hold! This is ridiculous.
S.S.
Hello A Jones. We apologize for the call wait times you’ve experiences and understand how frustrating that can be. We are working to improve our wait times and appreciate your patience. In the meantime, please complete our Feedback Form, which will give our team a better understanding of how we can improve our processes. We value your opinion and look forward to hearing from you.
Lynn J.
Horrible customer service! Went into the Social Security office on Drew Street in Clearwater. Showed them the confirmation number I got online when I filled out application to replace my lost card. It was 3:20, they closed at 4:00. Security person at the front desk said I had to call to make an appointment. They were only taking people with appointments at this location. I have been on the phone for 3 hours on hold. The phone line closes at 7, and it is 6:19 pm. January 14, 2025. Horrible customer service! It said on my application that all I had to do was show my drivers license in person. They couldn’t take me today. Why? The waiting room was nearly empty.
T.Y.
Hello, Lynn. Thank you for reading our blog. We apologize for the call wait times you’ve experienced and understand how frustrating that can be. We are working to improve our wait times and appreciate your patience. In the meantime, please complete our Feedback Form, which will give our team a better understanding of how we can improve our processes. We value your opinion and look forward to hearing from you.
Berhanu a.
Hi
I land in this great country almost 55 days with iv visa a I received my green card 25 days a go but still didn’t get my SSN I try to call to the number which they give from SSN office still couldn’t get to have appointment I can’t get no wan to see my case pleas anyone can give me a way
Paul G.
I want to amke an appointment to see a representative at my local SS office. How do I do that?
Carolyn N.
I have been trying to update direct deposit information for seven months. I have called every month. I am continually told give it a month for system to update. My 93 yr old mother-in-law is being penalized a monthly fee by Wells Fargo to keep her SSA check coming there which I have to then transfer to another bank. I am trying to make an in-person appt; 120 min. wait on phone. I expect same answer. SSA did not used to be like this prior to covid.
T.Y.
Hello, Carolyn. Thank you for reading our blog. We apologize for the call wait times you’ve experienced and understand how frustrating that can be. We are working to improve our wait times and appreciate your patience. In the meantime, please complete our Feedback Form, which will give our team a better understanding of how we can improve our processes. We value your opinion and look forward to hearing from you.
Laura
Use their text service to change your direct deposit information 279-200-6322
Kat
This is a scam. They will ask for copies of your Social Security card and driver’s license and then ask for your login info on the Social Security website.
Hard to believe SSA doesn’t flag these responses telling you to use their text service.
M. B.
Can someone assist me in making an appointment with Social Security? I have been on hold the entire day and not able to speak with anyone or make an appointment 😩
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog. We apologize for the call wait times you’ve experienced and understand how frustrating that can be. We are working to improve our wait times and appreciate your patience. In the meantime, please complete our Feedback Form, which will give our team a better understanding of how we can improve our processes. We value your opinion and look forward to hearing from you.
Husking
Text 279-200-6322
Sarah M.
Can you guys restore the application status tracker once it disappears from mySSA? Mine disappeared a few years ago after an AC denial/filing in federal court and never returned after a voluntary remand. I also dropped below the number of work credits necessary to apply around that time (maybe at 20 of 40 now), and maybe that’s why it won’t show. I don’t want to call if nothing can be done and they’ll just tell me to call to check the status… My case has had some issues with things not moving within the agency correctly or people forgetting to remove a flag on my electronic record that kept files hidden. Maybe there’s some easy fix to restore the tracker and someone just forgot to do it along the way.
Tony
We need a highly skilled workforce that doesn’t make mistakes. Fire the American SSA employees and replace them with highly skilled foreigners in the H1B VISA program.
Amir n.
Working with staff that make mistakes and giving them the trainings that they are in need of is a much better way than replacing them . Replacing them with one particular group of people is not acceptable and it will never be acceptable
Teena D.
Be prepared to wait over a month to get your Social Security card replaced online. To call and make an appointment, after you start the process then you make an appointment. Appointments are 2 months out. A total of 3 months to replace the cards that we have to have to show our identity. Now we have to give SS written permission to do a soft credit check, that takes a month. Then they decide if they are going to give you a replacement card another month that’s online.
There has to be another way to do business with Social Security instead, of taking 3 months to get your business taken care of.
This really sucks they’re New Way of doing business that has to be done.
Tony
We need to fire the American government employees and get foreigners with a H1B VISA to come here and fix this problem.
Tony
University hire foreigners with H1B VISA to be professors. We need to fire the American SSA government employees and replace them with temporary grant position in the H1B VISA program to fix this problem.
Amanda M.
Don’t forget when you make an appointment online go In for your soonest appointment 3 weeks later and they tell you they don’t have record of your appointment and refuse to see you because it “isn’t fair to applicants who made an appointment” and there are 3 other people in the waiting room.
Candice R.
I need a ssn card asp
Clinton W.
1076 tammbell st
T.Y.
Hello, Candice. You may not need a replacement card. You rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. However, if you must get a replacement card, you can begin and, in some cases, complete the process online. Learn more here. We hope this helps.
Walter
I call 4 days straight was on phone 2:20, 3:10, 2, 3:40 hours and got cut off . Can’t afford the internet and have free government phone use all my data before I could find what i needed. So went to the public library used there computer and found out I had to make an appointment i could not do anything online . I will keep trying but going to contact northwest legal justice for legal help oh did I mention i was disabled
Carol C.
My best personal email address is cccs4245@gmail.com