Dear Editor:
Starting a new job and need your Social Security card? Did you put it away in a safe place and now can’t find it? If you give the wrong Social Security number to your employer Social Security cannot credit your earnings properly. The best plan of action is to get a duplicate of the misplaced card.
To get a duplicate card, generally all you need to do is complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5). You can get this form at www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You must also provide one or more documents identifying you by the name we have in our records. If you were born outside the United States, we also need proof of your U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status. Generally, we prefer a document with a photograph. However, we can accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify you (e.g., your name as well as your age, date of birth or parents’ names.)
When you apply for a card for another person, we must see proof of identity for both you and the other person. If you don’t have this proof, talk to the Social Security representative about other documents you can show us to prove your identity.
You can mail us the completed and signed application with the original documents. In a few days you’ll receive your duplicate Social Security card in the mail. We’ll also return your original documents to you. Remember, after you receive your duplicate Social Security card, store it in a safe place. Be careful with your Social Security number and card and protect your privacy whenever possible.
Yvonne Bryant
Social Security Manager, Jersey City