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How to Fill Out the Form SS-5 ?
What is the Form SS-5?
Form SS-5 is a form from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows you to apply for a new or replacement Social Security card.
Your Social Security number is essential to getting a job, getting medical treatment, opening bank accounts, and receiving Social Security retirement benefits. If your parents didn’t procure one for you, you’ll need the number on your card to go about your life. If you had a card but you lost or damaged it, you’ll need another one so you can verify your number with your employer and others. Either way, you’ll need to use the SS-5 form to get your new card.
U.S.-born citizens, foreign-born U.S. citizens, and some select noncitizens with authorization from the Department of Homeland Security can take advantage of Form SS-5 to get their requests processed quickly and efficiently – make sure you submit your required original or certified documents!
Applying for an SS-5 form is easy - the eligibility requirements are clear and straightforward.
You must provide the following when applying for an original Social Security card for a U.S. born citizen:
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Original birth certificate OR certified copy of the birth certificate;
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In the event your birth certificate is not available, it may be possible to submit one of the following: a U.S. passport, a U.S. hospital record of your birth, or a religious record showcasing your date of birth
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Proof of identity
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Current, non-expired document with your name, identifying information, and photograph if possible. Common forms of identification include a U.S. passport, a U.S. driver’s license, or state-issued ID card.
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In lieu of the above, you may be able to present a U.S. military ID card, school or employee ID card, or health insurance card.
For those applying for an original Social Security card, two documents are needed to validate U.S citizenship, age and identity. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a replacement card, just one piece of ID is required!
Changing or Correcting Your Information
To modify your Social Security record, such as updating a name on the card, you'll need to provide specific paperwork. Make sure you're prepared with all of it before proceeding:
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Proof of citizenship ONLY IF you have not already established citizenship status with the Social Security Administration
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If you have not done so already, an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport is the easiest way to establish citizenship.
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Legal proof of name change, such as a marriage document, certificate of naturalization, court order approving the change, or divorce decree
U.S. Passport is accepted as both proof of citizenship and identity when applying to the Social Security Administration.
When Do You Need an SS-5 Form?
First Time Card Application
Replacing Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Cards
If your Social Security card has gone missing, is damaged or stolen, you can apply for a new one with Form SS-5 and the relevant documents. The Social Security Administration allows three replacements per year and 10 for life.
Requesting a Replacement Due to Name Change
If an individual’s name was changed legally, their Social Security card should reflect the change. Submit a certified copy of marriage license or other documentation verifying the name change is required.
Requesting a Replacement to Correct Errors
Requesting a Social Security card to fix mistakes like incorrect birthdates is no different from other replacement requests. Although Form SS-5 does not have any specific fields for error corrections, applicants should include a note with their application that explains the issue.
New Card Application for Change in Immigration Status
If an applicant’s immigration status has been recently changed, they must also get a new card reflecting the change. Three kinds of Social Security cards can be obtained from the SSA, and two restrict an individual’s capacity to find work.
Card Application for a Dependent
Individuals may also apply for a card on behalf of their dependents. This usually involves the birth or adoption of a new child.
Here is an example of the SS-5 form with the description of all fields to complete. Select one item from the list below to check the flied explanation.
2. Previous Social Security Number
3. Place of Birth
4. Date of Birth
5. Citizenship
6. Ethnicity
7. Race
8. Sex
9. Parent 1 Information
10. Parent 2 Information
11. Ethnicity
12. Name Shown on Last S.S. Card
13. Date of Birth used on previous S.S. Card
14. Today's Date
15. Daytime Phone Number
16. Mailling Address
17. Signature
18. Relation to the person on request
1. All current names and name previous names
The name of the person applying for a Social Security Card is composed of three lines.
Line 1 is the name shown on the newly applied SS card. That means your current name or new name (in case of a name change).
Line 2 is reserved for your name given at birth. To use if it is different from your current/new name.
Line 3 will be used to register all the other names you have used in the past. Order and specification is not required.
2. Previous Social Security number
In this section, you must fill in the Social Security number previously assigned to the person listed in item 1.
3. Place of Birth
Enter the place of birth here, specifying the city and the state/country.
4. Date of Birth
Enter the date of birth here, specifying the day, month and year
5. Citizenship
You must check the corresponding situation: U.S Citizen; Legal Alien Allowed to work; Legal Alien Not allowed to work, Other
6. Ethnicity
Understand what is inside a SS-5 Form
Here is an example of the SS-5 form with the description of all fields to complete. Select one item from the list below to check the flied explanation.
1. All current names and name previous names
The name of the person applying for a Social Security Card is composed of three lines.
Line 1 is the name shown on the newly applied SS card. That means your current name or new name (in case of a name change).
Line 2 is reserved for your name given at birth. To use if it is different from your current/new name.
Line 3 will be used to register all the other names you have used in the past. Order and specification is not required.
2. Previous Social Security number (mandatory)
For New Social Security Card, leave this field blank. For Replacement or Update on Social Security Card, you must fill in the Social Security number previously assigned to the person listed in item 1.
3. Place of Birth (mandatory)
Enter the place of birth by specifying the city and the state or country if you were born in a foreign country.
4. Date of Birth (mandatory)
Enter the date of birth here, specifying the day, month, and year in this order.
5. Citizenship (mandatory)
You must check the corresponding situation: U.S Citizen; Legal Alien Allowed to work; Legal Alien Not allowed to work, Other
6. Ethnicity (optional)
Indicate here if you are Hispanic or Latino origin (note that your response is voluntary)
7. Race (optional)
Select here your race between those options : Native Hawaiian / Alaska Native / Asian / American Indian / Black or African American / Other Pacific Islander / White
8. Sex (mandatory)
Specify if you are a man or a woman
9/10. Parent Informations (optional)
In these parts, you need to fill in the parents of the person listed in item 1: the birth name of your father and mother and their social security number.
Note: For Self-application, you could pass this step but if you apply as a mother or father for your child, you must provide both parents' information.
11. Filed or received an SSN card before?
Answer the following question : Have you ever filed for or received a Social Security number card before?
12. Name shown on the most recent Social Security
Here, enter the name (first, full middle name, last) shown on the most recent Social Security card issued for the person listed in item 1.
13. Date of Birth used on previous S.S. Card (optional)
In this part, you need to enter any different date of birth if used on an earlier application for a card. Do not fill this field if you apply for a New SS Card or a SS Card Replacement.
14. Today's date (mandatory)
Notify the today's date in the following format: MM/DD/YYYY
15. Daytime phone number (mandatory)
Notify your daytime phone number (aero code + number)
16. Mailing adress (mandatory)
Indicate your mailing adress (do not abbreviate). Be sure to specify all the following informations : Street adress, Apt. No., PO Box, Rural Route No. / City / State (or Foreign Country) / ZIP Code
17. Signature (mandatory)
Sign in the box provided for this purpose in order to declare that you have examined all the information in this form and it is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.
18. Relation to the person on request (mandatory)
For this last part, specify your relationship to the person in item 1. Check one of those : Self, Natural Or Adoptive Parent, Legal Guardian, Other (Specify)
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What forms of ID and other documents do I need to submit for my Social Security card replacement?The SSA requires original, current identification documents to prove your identity and U.S. citizenship. You can submit any of the following documents: • U.S. driver’s license; • State-issued non-driver identification card • U.S. passport. If non of the above identification documents are available, consult one of our expert agents about alternate forms of ID acceptable in your case. Some applicants may need to provide additional documents, such as a: • Birth certificate • Marriage certificate • Court order for a name change The complete list of required documents will be provided in your application package once your order is confirmed.
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How long does it take to get a Social Security card?Depending on the number of requests and the local office workload, the processing time varies. In general, you can expect to receive your Social Security Card in two weeks from the date SSA receives your complete application.
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How to get a replacement Social Security card?After receiving the complete application package from us, please follow the included instructions to: 1) Review your SS-5 form which is pre-fill by us. Fill your Social Security Number in section 5 and sign on section 18. 2) Check the instructions and gather the required original Identity Document(s). 3) Insert your original document(s) with the signed SS-5 forms in a secured envelop. Paste on the envelop the provided shipping label, which is pre-paid and addressed to your local Social Security Office. If you are using the 'home delivery' option, the secured envelop is provided in the package and already labeled. 4) Mail the envelope from any USPS drop-off or location. The Administration will only issue your Social Security card with the correct identification and supporting documents. When the application is received and processed by the SSA, they will mail your Social Security card to the address you provided on the SS-5 form. Your original documents will also be returned in a separate mail.
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What services am I paying for on Security Card US?The Social Security Administration does not charge for Social Security card applications. However dealing with the SSA without professional assistance is complicated. Security Card US charges a nominal fee to simplify the process of applying for a Social Security card. The one-time all-inclusive fee, starting at $49, give you access to our team of experts who will guide you throughout the process and ensure that your application is accurate and will be accepted the first time. We will save your time, effort and the headache to read through pages of instructions, print out forms, and wait in line at the SSA in order to deal with government offices. You’ll get everything you need to apply for your Social Security card from the comfort of your own home. For our team of experts, the charge covers not only their painstaking work to prepare your application, assist with the supporting documents, deal with the government agency, provide lifetime customer support, but also documentation backup and mailing fees.
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Can Security Card US help if my Social Security card is lost or stolen?Absolutely! We have a professional solution for lost, stolen or damaged Social Security cards. It takes less than 5 minutes to submit an SS card replacement order on our website and we will do the rest of the work for you.
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Will Security Card US keep my personal information secure?Yes! We guarantee the protection of your personal information.We take our customers’ privacy extremely seriously, and never share any of your data with a third party. Our website is fully encrypted, using the most updated Secure Socket Layer (SSL).