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. Margaret L.

    I need help get into my account

    • V.V.

      Hi Margaret, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties with your my Social Security account.

      For assistance with your account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office.

  2. Maiko

    I currently became a US Citizen, What kind of form will I need to update my social security? Can I mail the form?

    • V.V.

      Congratulations, Maiko! You will need to visit your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center to update your Social Security record. Please bring with you, your Certificate of Naturalization and complete an application for a replacement card. All documents you submit must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Any documents you provide will be returned to you.

      Visit our Social Security Number and Card web page for additional details.

  3. Bruce R.

    THANKS FOR NOTHING, AFTER JUMPING THROUGH ALL YOUR HOOPS !!! YOUR CLAIM THAT ANYONE IN GEORGIA CAN OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT SS CARD ONLINE IS NOT TRUE !!! Now I must drive to the local office to obtain a REPLACEMENT SS card !!!

  4. Stanley R.

    I need to know the phone number of the San Antonio, TX office. Why can’t I get it whene I type San Antonio in the search box?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Stanley. For contact information for your local Social Security office, visit here. Thanks!

  5. Karen L.

    I still have not recieved my code in the mail to access my Social security account from social security since February& today is April,29.2019
    Karen Leotta

  6. Tommy L.

    I was trying to logon to my SS page to see if I can get a statement of my 2018 benefits. I got locked out. How do I get my account reinstated?
    Tommy O’Brien
    381040-4198

  7. Rachel S.

    HERE IS WHY I WANT TO CHANGE MY NAME FOR BEING HELD FOR RANSOM FROM LONG BEACH PD DETECTIVES TO MORENO VALLEY PD FOR MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO NEVER COME BACK FROM ROBERTO ROBINSON OF THE LOS ANGLES DA’S DIVISIONS I WANT MY REAL NAME BACK I WANT TO SHUT DOWN LONG BEACH PD OF CALIFORNIA I WANT JUSTICES WITH SOMEONE WITH A HEART OF GOLD TO HELP ME WIN MY CASE I RAN FROM A STALKER AND A RAPIER LONG BEACH SUPERIOR COURTHOUSE IS UNFAITHFUL TO GOD

  8. Sha'Aniqua C.

    Does it cost to have all of your middle names on your social security card?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Sha’Aniqua. There is no cost for a Social Security card; however, there is a character limit. There are 26 spaces on the first line for your first and middle names and 26 spaces on the second line for the last name and suffix, if any. You can show whichever name you would like on your Social Security card, as long as you have evidence of your legal name change by showing us documentation of your old and new names. By the way, in case you ever have to request a replacement Social Security card (or a name change), we offer the option to mail your completed application with original or certified documents to your local Social Security office. Use this link to determine which documents you may need. We hope this helps!

  9. Helen R.

    I don’t remember opening up an account, however, I was on hold for over an hour and my phone died, need to ask a couple of questions please help. 954-588-5064 I am moving to Georgia and just stopped working 2 weeks ago because of stress.

    • V.V.

      Helen, we certainly do apologize for the difficulties you are experiencing in contacting Social Security. We have representatives available at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to speak with you between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. business days. You can also contact your local Social Security office.

      Keep in mind that you can safely and conveniently conduct most of your business with us online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov.

  10. Linda R.

    If I download the name change application and give my spouse my drivers license or passport and he provides the marriage license, in other words, all the necessary documents, would it be valid for him to submit my application if I’m not there due to work schedule conflict?

    • V.V.

      Hi Linda, thank you for your question. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to change your name and required documentation. We offer the option to mail your completed application with original or certified documents to your local Social Security office. If you’re not comfortable mailing, you can have your spouse bring in your signed application along with the documentation.

Comments are closed.