Once you have supplied all the necessary documents and your application is processed, the SSA says it takes about 10-14 days to get your new card.

Keep in mind that there are also limitations to how many replacement cards you can apply for. According to the SSA, you can get up to three replacement Social Security cards per year and a maximum of 10 replacement cards over your lifetime. If you’re concerned about the replacement card limit, you may want to consider your personal situation and what you’d need the card for before applying for a replacement. This is because the SSA says simply knowing your Social Security number may be sufficient in many cases.

It’s a good idea to keep your Social Security card in a safe place to help prevent it from getting lost. But if your card is lost or stolen, in addition to applying for a replacement, you may want to take steps to help protect your identity or learn what to do if your identity is stolen as a result. And, know that depending on your situation, the Federal Trade Commission notes the government may assign you a new SSN.