Online Services, Social Security Number and Card

Need to Change Your Name on Your Social Security Card?

October 9, 2018 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

A stack of social security cardsAre you changing your name? If so, let Social Security know so we can update your information, send you a corrected card, and make sure you get the benefits you’ve earned.

To change your name on your card, you must show us documents proving your legal name change and identity. If you are a U.S. citizen, you also must show us a document proving your U.S. citizenship, if it is not already in our records. You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We can’t accept photocopies or notarized copies.

To prove your legal name change, you must show one of the following documents:

  • Marriage document.
  • Divorce decree.
  • Certificate of naturalization showing a new name.
  • Court order for a name change.

To prove your identity, you must show an unexpired document showing your name, identifying information, and photograph, such as one of the following:

  • U.S. driver’s license.
  • State-issued non-driver’s identification card.
  • U.S. passport.

If you don’t have one of those documents available, we may be able to accept your:

  • Employer identification card.
  • School identification card.
  • Health insurance card.
  • U.S. military identification card.

To prove your U.S. citizenship, you must show one of the following documents:

  • U.S. birth certificate.
  • U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
  • U.S. passport (unexpired).
  • Certificate of Naturalization.
  • Certificate of Citizenship.

Whatever your reason for your name change, Social Security is here to help you with the new… you! Fill out the form online and follow the instructions to ensure your Social Security card is delivered in a timely manner. You can also locate your local field office so you can apply for your updated card and show your required documents in person.

For complete instructions, visit our Social Security Number and Card page, which includes information for non-citizens. And remember, if you simply need to replace a lost Social Security card, but don’t need to change your name, you can — in most states — request your replacement card online using your personal my Social Security account.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Kris L.

    Hi,

    I got married in 2020 and need to update my SSN with my married name. I recently received my employment authorization but I couldn’t update my SSN due to the Covid shutdowns. I still don’t have my green card, so which document should I present to update my SSN?

    • V.V.

      Hi Kris, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  2. Julia L.

    i have an issue i sent my name change form along with all the documents and havent received anything back and it has been a month now. ive called several times and keep getting different information each time. can someone please help me

    • V.V.

      Hi Julia. We are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. Please continue to work with your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  3. Lisa B.

    I have been told by two representatives from my local Social Security office that I cannot revert to my maiden name as part of a second marriage. The jurisdiction in which I received my marriage license allowed it. Could you please tell me the name of the law/code/statute/rule that prevents me from using the name on my marriage license as my married name simply because it is the same as my maiden name? Could you also please provide a URL to this information?

    • V.V.

      For your security, Lisa, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  4. Jessica M.

    Because of Covid-19, when will the office here in Reno NV be open so I can go in and show my documentation to change my last name?

    • V.V.

      Hi Jessica, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how we are providing services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

      In addition, for details regarding a name change, check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  5. Josephine M.

    Good Afternoon: I recently had my name change in court, could you please e-mail the form I have to fill out to get a new social security card with my new name. Thanks.

    • V.V.

      Hi Josephine, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  6. Stefanie

    Hello; I divorced and have resumed my maiden name via certified court documents. However, I still have my original SS card with my maiden name….do I still need to process this update/receive a new card again or can I just utilize the card I have? (I did previously legally change my name to my married name and because I never discarded my original ss card, I have one in my maiden name and one in my married name. just as an fyi). Thank you.

    • V.V.

      Hi Stefanie, thank you for using our blog. You need to change your name on your Social Security record. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  7. Sam

    I called to make an appointment to change my last name after marriage, after waiting and finally getting in touch with a rep she tells me I called the wrong number and gives me the number to the field office- I tell her that is the same number I called and it gets transferred to the national number.

    I ask if when we mail in our application if we have to send the actual proof of citizenship (DL or Passport) because that doesn’t seem legit. She says yes.

    I asked for another number that actually goes to the field office and she hung up on me..

    • V.V.

      Hi Sam, thanks for using our blog. We are very sorry to hear about your experience. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  8. Erin

    I got married in 2020, but have not been able to change my name because of Covid shut downs. According to the guidelines, I have to mail in my original documents including my driver’s license. How do I do that when I need it on a daily basis? Is there another acceptable document I could send in place of my DL?

    • V.V.

      Hi Erin, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

      • mary

        What if the marriage license does not have the new name on it? Is it still enough?

        • V.V.

          Hi Mary, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

          For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  9. Vianka R.

    hi, I was in the USA like a exchange visitor (J-1), and when I processed my social security a year ago, I didn’t realize that my name was misspelled and I want to know what can I do?. In this moment I am in my country (Perú) could you bring me help please.

    • V.V.

      Hi Vianka, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to correct your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  10. Jennifer W.

    Hello. I need to change my name on my Social Security Card to reflect my newly married name. I am not able to mail in my DL due my need to have my DL on me at all time since my job requires me to drive.
    What can I send to verify my identity? Is a copy of my marriage certificate sufficient?

    • S.D.

      Hi, Jennifer, and thanks for using our blog. To change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a document that proves your legal name change. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions webpage on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. You’ll find the mailing address using our Social Security Office Locator.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus webpage. We hope this helps.

    • Kris S.

      Jennifer, I am having this issue too. What did you end up sending?

Comments are closed.