How To Replace ID After A Disaster

BY ERIN CARDEN & JESSICA MEZA, VOTERIDERS

Our staff and many wonderful volunteers are available to help people replace lost or damaged documents, make DMV appointments, and obtain the IDs they need to vote in every election. 

To prepare for a hurricane or another natural disaster, we strongly recommend that you take a picture of your ID documents and keep them in a safe space where they won’t get damaged.
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Losing your ID documents in a disaster like a fire, flood, or hurricane can feel like a massive burden after what can already be an unbearably stressful event. Suddenly, you’re faced with the daunting task of replacing vital ID documents, which are essential for managing your finances, enrolling in school, dealing with insurance, and in over two-thirds of states: voting. 

When you’re required to show identification to replace identification, it can feel like you’re caught in a frustrating nightmare. But there’s something that can help alleviate this stress: VoteRiders has experts on hand — including pro bono lawyers — who are ready to help you get the ID you need not only to participate in democracy but also to survive.

First things first: If you need support, call or text our Helpline at 866-432-8683 or reach out through our website.

Keep in mind: If you can’t receive mail at your current address, contact your local Post Office and ask that they either hold your mail or forward it to a new address or PO Box. Most replacement documents will be mailed to you, so it’s crucial to make sure they’re delivered to a valid address!

Compile an inventory of any forms of identification you DO have. Even if they don’t seem useful — things like letters from government agencies with your name and new address can be helpful! Here’s a quick guide on how to replace a few key documents:

Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce, Adoption, and Legal Change-of-name Certificates: 

If you’re a US-born citizen, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born. They should be able to guide you through the process of how to obtain the documents you need, including any required fees or ID. In most states, a lawyer can submit an application for a certified copy of your vital documents for you — they would just need to submit the request along with a copy of their photo ID.

Social Security Card: 

Applying for a replacement copy of your Social Security card is a good first step if you’ve lost or damaged your driver’s license or state ID. Here’s what you’ll need to do: 

• Find your nearest Social Security office here.
• Print and fill out the downloadable application for a replacement Social Security card. Be sure to sign the application or it will be denied!
• In your application, you’ll need to include a complete list of documents (originals or certified copies only) with your application, including proof of age, identity, and US Citizenship. There are many different kinds of documents accepted for each of these categories, but if you don’t have access to any of these documents, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
• Mail – or, if any of your records are originals — take your application and documents to your nearest Social Security office. Keep in mind that it’ll generally take around ten days to receive your Social Security card. 

Driver’s License or State ID: The process for replacing these IDs varies by state, so you’ll need to contact your local DMV office for specific information.

Once you have your driver’s license or non-driver’s state ID along with certified copies of your vital ID documents, you can work on getting the rest of your documentation, including:

• Citizenship papers: Reach out to US Citizenship and Immigration Services if you need to replace lost or damaged citizenship papers. 
• Green Card/Legal Permanent Resident Card: File an I-90 form online with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services if you’ve lost your legal permanent residence documents. 
• Financial Records: Your bank branch or other financial institution(s) can guide you on how to replace lost account information or cards. If you’re unable to contact your bank, you can reach out to the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). Be sure to also contact any credit card companies to alert them of your damaged or lost cards.
• Property & Deed Documents – If you’ve lost property deed records, the county recorder’s office where your property is located should be able to help. 
• School Records: Once you have your IDs in hand again, contact the administration offices of your or your children’s schools for transcript or records requests. 
• Tax Records: If your tax records were lost or destroyed, call the IRS Disaster Assistance Hotline at 1-866-562-522 or visit their website. You may also qualify for tax relief as a result of a public emergency.
• Military Records – To replace your Military ID card(s) or other military records, contact the applicable branch of service or visit the US3.A.gov website for more information.
• Passport – If your passport is among your lost or damaged documents, you should notify the US government. To replace your passport, locate a passport facility near you. You’ll need your certified birth certificate and other forms of ID to complete the application process.
• Health Insurance, Medicare/Medicaid Cards – For private health insurance, contact your insurance company. If you have Medicare, contact the Social Security Administration. For Medicaid, you’ll need to contact your state’s Medicaid department since Medicaid is handled differently in each state. 

Last but not least — you are not alone. If you’ve found yourself without these essential documents, VoteRiders is here to help! For free support, call or text our Helpline at 866-432-8683. 

If you need further disaster assistance, the Disaster Assistance Improvement Program offers additional resources and support for disaster survivors. Remember — help is here every step of the way. We got your back.