Can you have 2 social security cards

You can replace a lost or stolen Social Security card up to three times in a year and up to 10 times during your lifetime. Getting a new card because of a change in your legal name or citizenship status does not count toward the limits. 

You can request a placement card online, by mail or in person at a local Social Security office. 

Replacing your Social Security card online

To request a replacement card online, you must have a My Social Security account and meet these requirements:

  • You are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older.
  • You are not changing the name on the card.
  • You have a U.S. mailing address (military and diplomatic addresses count).
  • You live in a state that shares its computer data with Social Security. As of April 2022, 46 states and the District of Columbia do so. (Alaska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and West Virginia are the exceptions.) The list is updated regularly, so check the Social Security website to see if your state's status has changed.

Replacing your card by mail or in person

If you don’t have an online account or don’t meet any one of the other criteria listed above, you’ll have to fill out an application form and either mail it or take it to your local Social Security office.

Local offices fully reopened April 7 after being closed to walk-in traffic for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) recommends calling in advance and scheduling an appointment to avoid long waits.

You’ll need to provide what the SSA calls "primary" proof of identity — either a passport, a driver’s license or a state-issued photo ID card. If you don’t have any of those, Social Security will ask to see a current, “secondary” ID that shows your name; identifying information such as age or date of birth; and, preferably, a recent photograph — for example, an employee, student or U.S. military ID or a health insurance card (but not a Medicare card). 

Social Security typically requires the original of your primary ID document, or a copy certified by the agency that issued it. Photocopies, even if notarized, are not accepted.  

However, the SSA advises against mailing “original primary documents that should be kept secure in your possession.” As an alternative, you may send secondary evidence of identity, or contact your local office about dropping off your evidence or making an appointment. Social Security will return any documents you do submit once they process your new card.  

Your new Social Security card should arrive in the mail in 10 to 14 days. There is no charge. 

Keep in mind

To change the name on your Social Security card, you will need to provide proof of your new name — for example, a marriage certificate, adoption papers or a court order granting the change — and proof of identity and citizenship. These must be originals or certified copies. If you don’t have any of those documents, Social Security may accept an unexpired, state-issued identity document in your new name, provided they can match it to your old name in their records. 

Can you have 2 social security cards

How to Get a New Social Security Number. You may be surprised to know; you can get a second Social Security number, and there are legal reasons that allow it.  As a matter of fact, you are allowed to have up to three Social Security numbers during your lifetime.  If you are a citizen of the United States, children and adults are required to have them.  

A Social Security number identifies your existence and is used to confirm and track individuals, and it is also used to report income for taxes and retirement benefits purposes. You cannot get another number because you want to get away from bad credit history, but the IRS does allow you to change your social security number for certain reasons.  The IRS will connect your second card to your original number to ensure all job earning is reflected.

Table of Contents

  • The First Social Security Number
  • Why Amish Reject Paying into Social Security
  • First Reason you can get a Second Social Security Number
    • How to Get a New Social Security Number
  • Other Reading on the Subject

According to the Department of Social Security, John David Sweeney, Jr. was the first person to receive a Social Security card.  He did not live long enough to collect his benefits, as he died at the age of 61, but his wife collected his S.S. benefits.  S.S. benefits include

Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance.  Social Security number applications were initially issued to employers who had a specified number of employees.  Applications were collected by the local post offices in 1936.

The Amish are mostly exempt from paying into the social security system.  This religious organization does pay taxes but did believe commercial insurance would erode their faith.  Amish, do not rely on outside resources, such as electricity, automobiles, secondary education, etc.  They take a strong stand on the separation of church and state.

They alone are responsible for the care of their families and communities, such as helping a neighbor, feeding and caring for the sick, or helping a neighbor build a home or barn.  Today the Amish pay Social Security only if they work for a secular company.  Those who are self-employed do not pay Social Security, receive benefits or unemployment.

  • Sequential numbers are assigned to people living in the same household that are causing problems.
  • When you are a victim of identity theft, and you experience undue hardship associated with the number.
  • If you are being harassed, the victim of abuse, or your life is in danger.
  • When certain numbers in your social security number have negative cultural ( 4 is the most unlucky number in Chinese culture) or religious connotations.  (You must present documentation of your belief from your organization).

  • To receive a new S.S. number, you must go to the Social Security Office to make your request.
  • You must complete an application.
  • You must provide a written statement requesting a new number indicating and why you need to change your number.
  • Present proof of citizenship or legal status, year of birth, legal name.

Other Reading on the Subject

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