Getting Married Soon? Give Social Security Your New Name
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
Every year, June marks the beginning of two busy seasons: summer and “wedding season.” With joyful expectation, many of us have already marked our calendars and started wrapping up our plans for the vacations, ceremonies, and honeymoons. While the betrothed work out the details, Social Security wants to remind them about one detail that’s extremely important: the “record” Social Security keeps of your life’s earnings.
For many people, a wedding often means a name change is in order. If you are legally changing your name, you need to apply for a replacement Social Security card reflecting your new name. If you’re working, also tell your employer. That way, Social Security can keep track of your earnings history as you go about living your wonderful new life.
If you have reported income under your former or maiden name, and didn’t inform us of a change, we might not have received an accurate W-2 and your earnings may have been recorded incorrectly. This is easier to fix now — when you first change your name — than years from now when you retire, when it may cause delays in receiving your benefits. This is important because we base your future benefits on your earnings record. So, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber, or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), to find out what specific documents you need to change your name and to apply for a replacement card.
Last year, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry regardless of where they live within the United States. As a result, Social Security recognizes more same-sex couples as married for purposes of determining entitlement to Social Security benefits or eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. We recently updated instructions for employees to process claims and appeals when a determination of marital status is necessary.
With these changing rules, we encourage anyone who believes they may be eligible for benefits to apply now. You can learn more about our policies for same-sex couples at www.ssa.gov/people/same-sexcouples.
After the honeymoon, you can focus on your career or starting a family, moving to a new home, and securing a well-deserved retirement. Now, you’re all set. Let the celebrations begin!
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Tags: social security, Social Security benefits, Social Security card, SSA, SSI
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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Suzy C.
I have been married 25 yrs to the same person and never changed my sis card… what forms do I need? Thank you
Teresa S.
Good Afternoon,
I will be getting married next month. How soon can I change my name on my social security card?
R.F.
Thanks for your question Teresa. When you marry, you are free to keep your own name or take your spouse’s name. There is no time limit or requirement for a name change after marriage.
Changing your name is a personal decision. However, if you do decide to change your name on your Social Security record, you must complete an application for a new Social Security card and show us a document that proves your legal name change. See “Learn What Documents You Need for more information“. Congratulations!
ROBERT S.
My wife (71)and i (70) just married in Dec 2017. we both receive retirement benefits.
She is NOT changing her name.
We filed a joint IRS return for 2017.
Is there anything we need to do as far as Social Security is involved?
R.F.
Congratulations, Robert! In some cases, if you get married or divorced, your Social Security benefits may be affected, depending on the kind of benefits you receive. See page 7 and 8 of our publication: What You Need to Know When You Get Retirement or Survivors Benefits.
You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents directly. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Generally, you will have a shorter wait time, if you call later in the week. Thanks.
Leslie W.
We got married on 2/5/18 and are both receiving Social Security and what do we need to do to update this with you? We are a heterosexual (man & woman) couple.
R.F.
Hi Leslie, all Social Security beneficiaries are required to report changes that may or may not affect your eligibility to receive benefits. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits?” for more information on this topic. Thanks!
Talia
My husband and I are just recently married. I want to change my last name to my husband’s, but he has two last names as it is a tradition in Latin culture (ex. Lucas Garcia Reyes). I only wish to take “Garcia” (Talia Garcia) not “Garcia Reyes” (Talia Garcia Reyes). Is that something I can do?
R.F.
Thanks for your questions and congratulations on your recent marriage, Talia! You can show whichever name you would like on your social security card, as long as you have evidence of your legal name change.
Your marriage certificate may be used to change your name on your Social Security card. If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records, you must also show us an identity document in your old name (as shown in our records).
When ready, you can take or mail your completed application with the original or certified documents to your local Social Security office or the nearest Card Center in your area.
Please visit our Social Security Number and Card web page for more information. We hope this helps!
Irene R.
I’m 77 and remarried. I need to know what documents I need for a name change on my social security and medicare card.
My email address is: rossirene640@gmail.com
I was widowed and received social security benefits from my late spouse, Lawrence M. Ross relinquishing my benefits under Irene M. Ross *** – ** – ***.
My new married name is Mrs. Frank (Irene) Morello.
Thank you for you help,
Irene (Ross) Morello
713-542-3086
R.F.
Congratulations, Irene! If you legally change your name because of marriage and need to get a corrected Social Security card, visit our “Social Security Number and Card” web page for information.
If you receive Social Security and Medicare benefits, you will need to contact us. We’ll correct your name on our records and send you a new Medicare card. You will have to show us your original marriage certificate.
To make an appointment with your local office or if you need further assistance, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Just a reminder – Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this information helps!
DEBORAH L.
I WANT TO BE HEAD OF HOUSE HOLD I WANT TO MARRY A 100% DISABLED VET he’s financially incompetent i too am 100% disabled !!!WILL I LOSE ALL MY BENEFITS NOT IF i’m head of house hold even though he makes more !!!RIGHT!!??
R.F.
For a person receiving Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, marriage does not affect his or her benefit. These benefits are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. For a person receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), getting married may affect his or her benefit. This is because the amount of the SSI benefit is based, in part, on the income available to him or her and the spouse.
See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information. Thanks!
DEBORAH L.
i want to get married and don’t want lose my benifits or my medicaid I HAVE TO BE HEAD OF HOUSE HOLD I MAKE LESS I REALLY WANT to keep my medicaid I Have really extreme anxiety So what needs to happen!!!!!
DEBORAH L.
i want to get married And i have to be head of House Hold HE IS A Disabled V.A Vet AND I Don’t want to lose MY benefits !!!??please help Because we should not lose my medicade I HAVE TO be head of House hold because he is financially incompetent we want to get married and I become head of house hold!!
DEBORAH L.
i want to get married AND we are both disabled I want to be head of house BUT HE makes more than ME!!????