Registry entry

United States Social Security Card Replacement (Form SS-5)

Request a replacement Social Security card for an individual using Social Security Administration Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card). This document describes the online-vs-in-person eligibility branch, the applicant inputs, and the identity/citizenship evidence required. A simple replacement (no name change, not a first card) can in most states be requested online with a personal my Social Security account; a name change or a first-ever card must be done in person or by mail. It does not submit the form; the live ssa.gov source is always authoritative (see verification).

Registry entry

us/ssa/social-security-card-replacement-ss5

Jurisdiction
United States · national
Version
1.1.0
Verification
draft
Authority
U.S. Social Security Administration

GovSchema spec v0.3

Authoritative source SS-5

Machine access

Schema document
registry/us/ssa/social-security-card-replacement-ss5/1.1.0/schema.jsonapplication/schema+json
Registry catalog
registry/index.jsonone record per schema id

Field reference

28 fields across 6 steps, read from the published schema.json — names, types, requiredness, and validation as the document states them. The live government form remains the authoritative source.

Choose how to apply

  • isFirstCard boolean required

    A first-ever (original) card cannot be requested online and must be applied for in person or by mail with original documents. Answer false for a replacement of an existing card.

  • isLegalNameChange boolean required

    A legal name change (e.g. after marriage or a court order) cannot be done online and must be applied for in person or by mail with supporting documents. Answer false for a same-name replacement.

  • applicationChannel enum required

    online = request a replacement using a personal my Social Security account (available in most states; only for a same-name replacement, not a first card or name change); in_person = at a local Social Security office or Card Center; by_mail = mail the SS-5 with original documents. If isFirstCard or isLegalNameChange is true, online is not available; you may still start online and self-schedule an appointment.

    enum: online | in_person | by_mail

Name and identity

  • cardLastName string required

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Your complete last name exactly as it should appear on the card.

    length: 1–100
  • cardFirstName string required

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.

    length: 1–100
  • cardMiddleName string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.

    length: 0–100
  • nameAtBirth string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required only if your name at birth differs from the name to show on the card.

    length: 0–200
  • otherNamesUsed string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Any other names you have used, such as a nickname or a prior married name.

    length: 0–200
  • citizenshipStatus enum required

    us_citizen = U.S. citizen; legal_alien_authorized_to_work = legal alien allowed to work; legal_alien_not_authorized_to_work = legal alien not allowed to work; other = other status explained on the live form. Determines which evidence of citizenship/immigration status is required.

    enum: us_citizen | legal_alien_authorized_to_work | legal_alien_not_authorized_to_work | other
  • sex enum required

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. F = Female, M = Male, X = Unspecified or another sex identity, where the live form offers it.

    enum: F | M | X
  • dateOfBirth date required

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Full date, YYYY-MM-DD.

    classification: sensitive-pii
  • placeOfBirth string required

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Do not abbreviate.

    length: 1–120

Parents' information

  • mothersNameAtBirth string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required for applicants under age 18; requested otherwise.

    length: 0–200
  • mothersSSN string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. 9 digits. Required for an applicant under age 18 (may be left blank if unknown).

    patternclassification: sensitive-pii
  • fathersName string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required for applicants under age 18; requested otherwise.

    length: 0–200
  • fathersSSN string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. 9 digits. Required for an applicant under age 18 (may be left blank if unknown).

    patternclassification: sensitive-pii

Previous card

  • everHadCardBefore boolean required

    Indicates a replacement/correction rather than an original. For a replacement this is true.

  • currentSSN string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. The 9-digit number currently assigned to this person, for a replacement or correction.

    patternclassification: sensitive-pii
  • previousCardName string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required only if it differs from the name to show on the card.

    length: 0–200

Mailing address and signer

  • mailingAddressLine1 string required

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Where the card should be mailed.

    length: 1–120
  • mailingAddressLine2 string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.

    length: 0–120
  • mailingAddressCity string required

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.

    length: 1–80
  • mailingAddressState string required

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Two-letter USPS state or territory abbreviation, e.g. CA, NY, TX.

    pattern
  • mailingAddressPostalCode string required

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. 5-digit or ZIP+4 format, e.g. 90210 or 90210-1234.

    pattern
  • daytimePhone string optional

    Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. In international E.164 format, e.g. +12025551234.

    pattern
  • relationshipToApplicant enum required

    Who is signing the application. self = the applicant; natural_or_adoptive_parent; legal_guardian; other = another relationship explained on the live form.

    enum: self | natural_or_adoptive_parent | legal_guardian | other

Supporting documents

  • identityDocument file required

    An original or certified document proving identity — typically a U.S. driver's license, state-issued ID card, or U.S. passport. SSA requires originals or certified copies; provide as PDF, JPEG, or PNG when preparing the application.

  • citizenshipEvidence file optional

    Required if you were born outside the U.S. or are not a U.S. citizen: a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship, or current immigration documents establishing work-authorized status. Provide as PDF, JPEG, or PNG.

Version history

Independent and non-affiliated

GovSchema is an independent, open-source project. This reference is not produced, reviewed, or endorsed by U.S. Social Security Administration or any government. The authoritative source is always the live government form and its official instructions.