How to Get a Cash App Card in 2025: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Your Quick Guide

Getting a cash app card, officially called the Cash Card, is an easy process done completely through the cash card app. It’s built to be fast, safe, and simple to use. In short, if you are at least 18 years old (or 13 with a parent helping you) and have a verified Cash App account, you can order one in just a few minutes.

The card itself is a free, customizable Visa debit card that you can personalize. It’s important to know this is a cash app debit card, not a cash app credit card. It connects directly to your Cash App balance, letting you spend your money anywhere Visa is accepted. You can’t spend more than the money you have in your account.

This guide will walk you through the entire process step by step, making sure you have all the information you need. Here’s what we will cover:

• The basic requirements you must meet before ordering
• A detailed, step-by-step guide to ordering your card in the app
• How to customize your card with a unique design
• A clear answer to whether you can get a card without an SSN
• What to do after you order, from tracking to activation
• Answers to common questions and myths about the Cash Card

Before You Order

To make sure ordering goes smoothly, it’s best to have everything ready first. This prevents delays and frustration, letting you get your card on its way quickly. Below is a checklist of the requirements that Cash App requires.

• A Cash App Account: This is the foundation. If you don’t have an account yet, you first need to learn how to get cash app by downloading it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and signing up. The initial setup is quick, requiring only your phone number or email.

• Age Requirement: Your age determines how you can get a card.

  • 18 Years or Older: If you are 18 or over, you can open a standard account and order a Cash Card on your own.
  • 13-17 Years Old: Teenagers can get a Cash Card through a sponsored account. This means a parent or trusted adult who is an existing verified Cash App user must approve your account and authorize the card order. This feature allows younger users to spend safely under adult supervision.

• Verified Identity: To order a cash app card online, you must verify your identity within the app. This is not just a Cash App rule but a legal requirement. As a financial services company, Cash App must follow U.S. federal laws, including the USA PATRIOT Act. This law requires that all financial institutions verify the identity of their customers to prevent financial crimes. The verification process involves providing your:

  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN)

• A U.S. Mailing Address: The Cash Card can only be shipped to a physical mailing address within the United States. It cannot be sent to a P.O. Box. Make sure the address you provide is correct to avoid any delays in receiving your cash app card in mail.

A Detailed Walkthrough

Once you meet the requirements, you are ready to order your card. The process is easy to understand and designed to be completed in just a few minutes. If you have ever wondered, “how do i get a cash app card?”, this is your complete answer. Follow these steps exactly.

Step 1: Open the App

Launch the Cash App on your mobile device. On the main screen, look at the navigation bar at the bottom. You will see several icons. Tap the icon that looks like a rectangular card. This is the ‘Cash Card’ tab, your hub for everything related to the card.

Step 2: Tap ‘Order Your Card’

Once you are on the Cash Card screen, you will see a big button that says ‘Order Your Free Cash Card’. Tap this button to begin the customization and ordering process. This confirms your intent to order a cash app card. The standard card is completely free, so there is no initial cost to worry about when you order a free cash app card.

Step 3: Customize Your Card

This is the most fun part of the process. Cash App offers many customization options that allow you to make your card truly unique.

• Choose a Design: You will first be shown the standard card options, which are typically black or white. These are free. Cash App also frequently offers premium or limited-edition designs, such as a glow-in-the-dark card, a metal card, or artist collaborations. Be aware that these premium designs may come with a one-time fee, which will be clearly shown.

• Add Your $Cashtag: The app will show a preview of the card with your unique $Cashtag printed on the front. This is a great personalization feature that makes your card instantly recognizable.

• Draw or Stamp It: Here is where the experience becomes highly personal. Cash App allows you to either draw your own signature or design directly onto the card using your finger or stylus, or choose from a library of pre-made emoji-style stamps. This design will be laser-etched onto the physical card. Take your time to create something you like, as this will be a permanent feature of your card.

Step 4: Confirm Your Address

After finalizing your design, the app will ask you to confirm your mailing address. It will likely pre-fill the address you have on file. It is very important to double-check this information for accuracy. An incorrect address is the most common reason for a delay or failure in receiving your cash app card in mail. Make any necessary corrections before proceeding.

Step 5: Verify Your Identity

If you have not already verified your account, the app will prompt you to do so at this stage. As mentioned in the requirements, you will be required to enter your full legal name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. This step is required to complete your order. Once your information is submitted and successfully verified, your order will be placed. You will receive a confirmation in the app, and your new card will be on its way.

The SSN Question

One of the most frequently asked questions is, “how to get a cash app card without ssn?” Users often wonder if there is a workaround or an alternative method for verification. This section provides a clear and complete answer to this important question.

The Short Answer: No

To be direct: you cannot order a Cash Card without completing the identity verification process, which requires the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). There are no exceptions or workarounds to this rule for ordering a card. Any service claiming to help you get a cash card without ssn is likely misleading and should be avoided.

The ‘Why’ Explained

The reason for this requirement is not a choice made by Cash App but a requirement under federal law. As a Money Services Business, Cash App’s parent company, Block, Inc., must follow strict regulations set by the U.S. government, including the Bank Secrecy Act and regulations enforced by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

These laws are part of the broader Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements designed to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illegal financial activities. By verifying a user’s identity with their name, date of birth, and SSN, financial institutions can ensure they are not unknowingly helping illegal transactions. This process protects both the financial system and you, the user, by adding a layer of security to your account. So, if you’re looking for how to get cash app without ssn for full features, it’s simply not possible.

What an Unverified Account Can Do

While you cannot get a card, you can still use some basic features of Cash App with an unverified account. This is often where the confusion about “can i use cash app without ssn” comes from. An unverified account is limited, but not completely unusable. For instance, you can still receive money from friends and attempt to send money on cash app without ssn, but you will be subject to strict limits.

Here is a clear comparison of what you can and cannot do.

As the table shows, trying to make a cash app without ssn verification severely restricts its functionality. The core features that make Cash App a powerful financial tool—like the debit card and direct deposit—are locked until you verify your identity.

A Warning About “Workarounds”

Searching online for “how to order a cash app card without ssn” may lead you to dangerous advice suggesting you use fake information or someone else’s SSN. We strongly advise against this. Attempting to use fraudulent information is a serious crime that can lead to permanent account termination, loss of funds, and potential legal consequences. The verification system is strong, and such attempts are almost always detected. The only legitimate way to get a card is through the proper verification process.

After You Order

Congratulations, your card is on its way! The journey isn’t quite over yet. Here is what to expect next, from the moment you confirm your order to your first swipe.

Tracking Your Card

Once your order is placed, you can monitor its status directly within the cash card app.

1. Open Cash App and tap the ‘Cash Card’ tab.
2. You should see an image of your card with an estimated arrival date.
3. The typical timeframe for the cash app card to arrive in the mail is 7-10 business days. However, this can vary based on your location and USPS processing times.

You will receive a notification from Cash App once your card has shipped. While there isn’t a traditional package tracking number, the app provides the most up-to-date information on its status.

Activating Your New Card

Your new cash app card will arrive in a discrete mailer that includes your card and a QR code for activation. You must activate the card before you can use it. There are two simple methods to do this.

Method 1: Activate with the QR Code

This is the fastest and easiest method.

1. Open the Cash App on your phone.
2. Tap the ‘Cash Card’ tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. An option to ‘Activate Cash Card’ should be visible. Tap it.
4. The app will ask for permission to use your camera. Allow it.
5. Simply point your phone’s camera at the QR code found on the paper mailer that your card came with.
6. The app will instantly scan the code and confirm that your card is activated and ready to use.

Method 2: Activate Without the QR Code

If you accidentally threw away the mailer with the QR code, don’t worry. You can still activate your card manually.

1. Open the Cash App and navigate to the ‘Cash Card’ tab.
2. Tap the ‘Activate Cash Card’ option.
3. When the camera view opens, look for an option at the bottom of the screen that says ‘Missing QR Code’ or ‘Use CVV Instead’. Tap it.
4. The app will then prompt you to enter the CVV number (the 3-digit code on the back of your card) and the card’s expiration date.
5. After entering the information correctly, your card will be activated.

Once activated, your card is immediately ready for online purchases, in-store payments, and ATM withdrawals.

Myths vs. Reality

There is a lot of information floating around about cash app cards, and not all of it is accurate. Let’s clear up some of the most common myths and provide the factual reality.

Myth: It’s a Credit Card

• Reality: The Cash Card is a cash app debit card, not a cash app credit card. It is linked directly to your Cash App balance. This means you can only spend the money that you have in your account. There is no line of credit, no interest charges, and no monthly bill. This makes it a great tool for budgeting, as it’s impossible to overspend and go into debt.

Myth: You Can Order for Others

• Reality: You cannot order cash app card for someone else. For security and legal compliance, each individual must order their own card through their own verified Cash App account. The name on the account must match the legal identity of the person ordering the card. The only exception is the sponsored account feature, where a parent or guardian authorizes and oversees a card for a teen aged 13-17.

Myth: You Need a Bank Account

• Reality: You can order cash app card online without bank account. Cash App itself acts as the financial account that holds your funds. You can receive money from others or have your paycheck sent via direct deposit to fund your account. A traditional bank account is only necessary if you want to add funds to your Cash App balance from that external source, but it is not a requirement to get, activate, or use the Cash Card itself.

Myth: Replacements Cost Money

• Reality: If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement for free. The process for how to get a new cash app card for free is simple. In the app, navigate to the ‘Cash Card’ tab, tap on your card’s image, select ‘Report Card Lost or Stolen,’ and follow the prompts to permanently disable the old card and order a new one. Your custom design and $Cashtag will be printed on the replacement card as well.

Making the Most of Your Card

The Cash Card is more than just a piece of plastic for payments. It comes with a suite of features designed to save you money and give you greater control over your finances.

Instant Discounts with Boosts

Boosts are one of the most valuable perks of the Cash Card. They are instant discounts at specific merchants, restaurants, and services. You can find available Boosts in the ‘Cash Card’ tab of the app. Simply tap to add a Boost to your card, and the discount will be automatically applied the next time you use your card at that location. Boosts change regularly and can include deals like 10% off at a grocery store or $1 off at a coffee shop.

ATM Withdrawals

You can use your Cash Card to withdraw cash from any ATM. Cash App charges a small fee for each withdrawal (currently $2.50, plus any fee the ATM operator may charge). However, Cash App waives this fee for users who receive qualifying direct deposits. To get free ATM withdrawals, you need to have at least $300 in direct deposits sent to your Cash App account each month. Once you meet this threshold, Cash App will reimburse its fee on a certain number of withdrawals per month.

Security and Control

Your security is very important. If you ever misplace your card or suspect fraudulent activity, you can instantly disable it from the app. Just go to the ‘Cash Card’ tab and toggle the ‘Enable Card’ switch off. This immediately blocks all transactions. When you find your card, you can re-enable it just as easily. This gives you peace of mind and complete control.

Use It Anywhere

Because it is a Visa debit card, your Cash Card is accepted virtually everywhere—both online and in-store, worldwide. You can also add it to your Apple Pay or Google Pay wallet for contactless payments with your phone. This versatility makes it a reliable primary or secondary payment method for all your daily needs.

Simple, Modern Spending

In conclusion, getting a cash app cash card is a remarkably simple and secure process designed for the modern user. For anyone with a verified Cash App account, a free, customizable debit card is just a few taps away.

We have walked through every step, from the initial requirements and in-app ordering process to activation and advanced features. We’ve also clarified the critical role of identity verification and debunked common myths to give you a complete and accurate picture.

The Cash Card is more than just a way to spend your Cash App balance; it’s a powerful financial tool. With features like instant Boosts, fee-free ATM withdrawals for eligible users, and robust in-app security controls, it empowers you to manage your money with confidence and ease. It stands as an excellent gateway to digital-first banking and smarter spending.