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. Selena A.

    I had my boys names legally changed back in 2012 and I never got their new SSN cards with name change. What do I do?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Selena. In order to change your children’s names on their Social Security cards, you must show us a document that proves their legal name change. If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify them in our records, you must show us an identity document in their old name (as shown in our records). It is the identity document (also known as their ID) that we will accept if it has expired; however, we still will need to see proof (legal document) of the name change. We offer the option for you to mail their completed applications with original or certified documents to your local Social Security office. For more information about how and what to submit, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Keep in mind, you will also need to present documents proving your identity and evidence of your relationship to, or responsibility for, your children. Keep in mind the submitted documents must be originals. You can use birth certificates to prove your children’s age or citizenship; however, you cannot use it as proof of identity. We hope this helps.

  2. janet d.

    i don’t want the social security admin to include my full name when mailing me stuff.
    for example they mail me this
    jane ann doe
    i’d rather then mail it
    jane a doe

    how do i get then to do that ???

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  4. Mary F.

    I lost my daughter’s social security card. She is 15 and needs her SS card to obtain her drivers permit. Can I request a replacement online or must we visit a local SS office. If so, can we make an appointment? Littleton Co is the closest office to us.

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  6. Susan A.

    I help newly naturalized citizens register to vote. When someone has changed their name naturalizing we inform them that they must visit a SS office to update their record. USCIS informs them that they need to wait 10 days after naturalizing. Is that the case? We can’t find anything on the SSA website stating that and we need correct info.
    thank you

  7. James R.

    I need to change my address…
    What form do I need?
    Can you send to my email?

  8. John

    I am power of attorney for an elderly lady.
    We discovered that her legal, first name on her birth certificate does not match her first name on her social security card. Any suggestions?

  9. t

    Need to get my passport released from social security office can get anybody to speak to in person plz if someone can help out willing to pay of the substantial amount I need to leave on friday

  10. Luis A.

    Need to get my passport released from social security office can get anybody to speak to in person plz if someone can help out willing to pay of the substantial amount I need to leave on friday

Comments are closed.