As a Social Security recipient, you may need to fill out the Form SS-5 to get your Social Security Card. The form is to show proof of your US citizenship through the documents that you provide during the application process. To be able to do this, you will need to know the following:
How to fill out the SSA Document
Filling out the document can be a bit tasking, as it can overwhelm you as an applicant. To make the process easier for you, follow these steps.
- Provide your first, middle, and last names in the order you’d like them to show on the card.
- Provide your previous Social Security number. If you do not have one, leave the option empty.
- Enter the city of your birth or the foreign country in which you were born.
- Provide the month, day, and year you were born.
- Select the appropriate box to show whether you are a U.S. citizen, legal alien allowed to work, legal alien not allowed to work, or “other.” If you fall into one of the latter two categories, you’ll need to submit extra documentation with your Form SS-5.
- Check the box to show that you identify as male or female.
- Fill in the names and Social Security numbers (if any) for each of your parents, or check the “unknown” boxes if this information is unavailable at the time of filling.
- Check the appropriate box to indicate if you have ever filed for a Social Security card or received one on behalf of someone.
- Provide today’s date.
- List a phone number at which someone from the Social Security Administration can call you during the day, including the area code.
- Provide the mailing address to which you’d like your new card sent.
- Sign the form. A child may sign their name, or a parent or legal guardian may sign for them.
- This item asks whether you filled out the form for yourself or someone else. If you’re filling out this form for yourself, check “self.” If you’re filling out this form for someone else, check the box that identifies your relationship to them.
Where you can apply for the card
Applying for a new card can be done via two options, depending on what you want.
If you want to request a new Social Security card to replace a lost one, you will complete the process online using the Social Security Administration website.
However, to change your name or other information with Social Security, go through the traditional method of filling out a form and providing documents that support your application. These will then be submitted via mail or in person at any social security office closest to you.
