A social security card is one of the most important documents a person has. Individuals need these important documents for most life activities including working, applying for credit and receiving government benefits. Employers may not legally allow a person to work unless he or she can provide a social security card for verification. Government agencies also may not issue benefits to people without these cards. Parents generally apply for their children's social security cards shortly after their birth. In some cases, individuals may wait until their 18th birthdays to make applications. When a person loses an original social security card, that person will have to apply for a reissue social security card. The process of applying for a replacement social security card is not difficult, but it does require certain documentation. The first step a person has to take to obtain a reissue social security card is gathering identifying documents. He or she will need to prove his or her identity. A driver's license is an acceptable form of proof or obtaining a new social security card. A license has the person's picture on it. In addition, most people have to turn in important documents in order to receive a license in the first place. Passports and state issued identification cards are also acceptable for the same reasons. If the applicant cannot locate such documents, he or she will have to gather several alternate identifying documents. Some documents that may help to establish identity are health insurance cards, life insurance policies, school identification cards, medical records, military identification cards and government identification cards. After the applicant gathers his or her documents, he or she must make out an application with the Social Security Administration for a reissue social security card. Applicants have the option of applying in person or by mail. The paper application will ask for details such as birth name, previous social security number, place of birth, ethnicity, sex, mother's name at birth, father's name at birth and signature. The Social Security Administration will usually issue the applicant proof of application for employers and government organizations. The applicant will receive an official card within two weeks.