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. Patricia C.

    How do I move my direct deposit to another bank?

  2. Neisa S.

    Hello,
    I am a Canadian citizen who lived and worked in the USA for many years. I have given up my green card recently now that I reside in Canada. I want to begin my Social Security retirement benefits but need to change my name on my SSN first. Can I do that in Canada electronically or do I need to make an appointment with with a US Consulate or go to US and nearest office?
    Thank you for any help on this matter.

  3. Lope

    case No Further a Mystery

    Chan

  4. Porsche

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  5. Ardith E.

    I have not heard any response to my application for change of my name. It has been over two months.

  6. Diane D.

    How do we change our address? We have move to a different state.

  7. Thomas J.

    My Social Security monthly payment was reduced by almost 30 % in Jan19. Could you please explain why?

  8. Elliott S.

    Medicare told me that they do NOT have the same address you have for me. My address is still the same for the past 40 years 14120 NE 7th Pl #2 Bellevue WA 98007. Please match with my Medicare file. Thank you! Elliott S. Sher

  9. karenne b.

    I am receiving SS benefits, but when I signed up in Florida, September 2018, I got an email account , tried to change how I was notified, using my email address and not my sisters phone number, took many months to get my benefits, but now I can’t get into my online account, as the code I was given has expired, and trying to get a new one is impossible. How can I set up my account?

    • L.A.

      Hi Karenne. We are sorry to hear that you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  10. Renee Z.

    need to change address

Comments are closed.