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. Rosa X.

    Same problem regarding my name change. Have received two (2) medicare cards with my old name. Please tell me how to correct this. Medicare office tells me that SOCIAL SECURITY needs to update the change. I received my new SS card with my new name, but the medicare cards reflect old name. There is no one else to contact other than going to a SS office, or calling, yes a 1 1/2 waut. Hence online. HELP to correct this PLEASE.

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  2. Helene C.

    I need to change my and my husbands new home address

  3. Wade H.

    I am a very wounded veteran with a problem. I do not have a social security card with the same numbers on it that i served with. The numbers were changed when I got a new card. I need to access my various accounts and I can’t with the card I have. I have brain injury and don’t know the old numbers.

  4. Kayla S.

    Hello,
    I recently got married and need to change my last name on my ss card. I would like to mail in the form and the documents instead of going into the office. What exactly do I need to mail if I’m already an American citizen? I need my passport and driver’s license so I don’t want to mail them in. Would copies work?

    Thanks,

    Kayla

  5. L. N.

    How do I get a copy of my birth certificate. I can’t find it.

  6. Tarre S.

    After hours and hours in smelly waiting rooms, people coughing on me and ignoring the NO Cell Phone signs, local bums using the rooms to keep warm, miles walked, all documents collected, my name was finally changed. Guess what???? It did not flow through to my medicare account. That still has the old name. My God, this is such a horrible experience and it’s still not over. Every time I call it’s minimum 1 1/2 hour wait.

    • HL

      If you call Social Security and the wait time is long, I believe a person is given the option to have Social Security call you back when it’s your turn.

  7. BEVERLY A.

    I NEED TO CHANGE MY MIDDLE INITIAL ON MY CARD TO GET MY REAL LICENSE MY SS CARD SAYS R. BUT MY MIDDLE NAME IS ANN SO I NEED TO CHANGE MY CARD FROM MIDDLE INITIAL R TO A. HOW LONG WILL THAT TAKE I NEED IT BY 2 WEEKS BECAUSE MY LICENSE EXPIRES ON THE 9TH OF NOVEMBER

    • R.F.

      Hello Beverly. For complete instructions on how to correct your name on your Social Security card, please go to Social Security Number and Card. There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free. When ready, you can mail or take your completed application with supporting (original) documents to the nearest Social Security office or Card Center in your area.
      Typically, after we receive your application and verify your documents, you should receive your Social Security card by mail within 10 business days.
      We hope this information helps!

      • Mack T.

        What a crock!
        When my father passed away this past July, I tried to help my mother get the widows benefits. I took their original marriage. certificate (77 years old ) the SS OFFICE . The lady simply made a copy and said nothing else was needed.
        Now she has a Medicare card and insurance card with a brand new middle initial M her Social Security card, passport, and birth certificate and CA identification show her correct middle initial as D.
        Someone at SS changed her name without any forms or application.
        Don’t you have a, “oops we screwed up, ” link or department?

        • meathead

          lol

  8. Christina B.

    I just want to change my middle name

  9. Small

    Does it cost anything to change your last name on your SS card after marriage?

    • R.F.

      If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you must tell Social Security so you can get a corrected card. You cannot apply for a card online.
      There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free. Click here for complete instructions!

  10. joesmit

    thanks for the updated, now it is easier to do so and save time a lot and just like this you can also fix your printer at home by contacting Cisco support

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