Need to Change Your Name on Your Social Security Card?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
Are 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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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, Social Security card, SSN
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Tom F.
Hi,
My middle name is wron on my SSA account.
How do I get it changed?
V.V.
Hi Tom. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to correct your name on your Social Security card.
Krista A.
How long does it take for computer system to be updated? Do I need to wait extra time before going to the DMV or can all name changes be done in same day?
John-Michael
Hi there,
My wife and i recently got married and we are attempting to change her name by filling out form SS-5. One of the boxes is for the fathers name and SSN but she does not know who her father is or what his name is. His name is not present on her birth certificate so we are wondering how to proceed with that form so that she can change her name.
Thanks
K.O.
Hello John-Michael. Congratulations to you and your wife on your nuptials. Depending on the information we already have in our system, your wife may need to make corrections to her record. Your wife will need to complete the form Application for a Social Security Card, and provide us with supporting (original) documents.
Specifically, we will need to see her birth certificate and other document as proof of her identity. We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and shows her name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and, preferably, a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity, Social Security must see your U.S. driver’s license or State-issued non-driver identification card, or your U.S. passport.
Remember, all documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.
When ready, you can take or mail your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office or the nearest Social Security Card Center in your area. We hope this helps. Thanks!
Bob J.
On January p,2019 my wife died. The name on her Social Security card Is E. Janell Henderson. My attempt to change this several years ago were not successful. Though she was bed ridden the clerk told me I had to bring her into the office. Now that she has died I have tried to get the name problem changed so the funeral home can finish their work. I provided her birth certificate, a state of Florida Id. card, her social security card, and her Medicare card to the clerk at the Farmington, New Mexico office. Because Florida does not put an expiration date on the card I am told it cannot be used. I don’t have any other ID with an expiration date.
MERRY M.
I would appreciate help in an address change. I can”t seem to find the appropriate website. Thanking you in
advance for your kind attention to this matter.
A.C.
Hi, Merry. If you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability, you can create a personal my Social Security account to change your address online. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, you should contact your local office immediately. Thanks!
Eugene R.
I am 64 and have had the same ss card since I was a kid.
On my original and only card there is my “nick middle name”: Rusty instead of my legal middle name of Rustin.
This was never an issue until I recent applied for a new job. The company was very concerned that my name on my card did not match my legal middle name.
I’m wanting to have a new card issued to me with my legal name instead of my nick name.
Please advise,
A.C.
Hi, Eugene. In order to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a document that proves your legal name change. If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records, you must show us an identity document in your old name (as shown in our records), and another identity document with your new name. We prefer a government issued document with your picture, as proof of identity. Any document you submit, must be an original or certified copy, current (not expired) and show your name, and other identifying information (date of birth or age). We offer the option to mail your completed application with original or certified documents to your local Social Security office or nearest Card Center in your area. We hope this helps!
Debbie W.
I’m assuming I can not get the process to change my name done until the shut down is over? This is really a problem. I can’t change my name to what it is legally until I change it with you. Debbie Smith Wilcox
A.C.
Hi, Debbie. A. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is not affected by the lapse in appropriations. All services and offices will remain fully operational. In order to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a document that proves your legal name change. If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records, you must show us an identity document in your old name (as shown in our records), and another identity document with your new name. We prefer a government issued document with your picture, as proof of identity. Any document you submit, must be an original or certified copy, current (not expired) and show your name, and other identifying information (date of birth or age). We offer the option to mail your completed application with original or certified documents to your local Social Security office or nearest Card Center in your area. We hope this helps!
Kelly F.
I am trying to make an appt online to set up day and time to go to the office to complete an SSI office in New Bedford Ma
A.C.
Hi, Kelly. At this time there is not a way to schedule an appointment online. Generally, with an appointment, you will be helped before our walk-in customers. You can schedule an appointment with your local office by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you need to call to set up an appointment in the future, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. Thanks!
Donna M.
I applied for a new social security card on December 20,2018. And I still haven’t received my new card. Can someone tell me why?
V.V.
Donna, we apologize for the inconvenience. For security reasons, we do not have access to information about your Social Security card application in this venue. Typically, after we receive the application and verify the documents, you can expect to receive the card in the mail within 10 – 14 business days. Unfortunately, if you have not received the card by then, you need to go back into the office where you filed your application. When you go, take the documents you originally presented as evidence.
Charles F.
My address has changed. SS is not up to date.
V.V.
Hi there. If you get Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) or are enrolled in Medicare, you can create a my Social Security account to change your address online.
If you get SSI, do not have a U.S. mailing address, or are unable to change your address online, you can:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; or
•Contact your local Social Security office.
If you do not receive Social Security benefits, SSI or Medicare, you do not need to change your address with us.