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. santikaria

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  2. Kaitlyn G.

    My sons name was spelled wrong on his social security card. How do I get a new card with it spelled correctly?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Kaitlyn, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to correct a name on a Social Security card. If you do not want to mail in the required documentation, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.

  3. Michelle

    Hello I got married a few years ago am I still able to change my last name to my spouse last name?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Michelle, thank you for your question. You absolutely can still change your name on your Social Security card. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to change your name. We hope this helps.

  4. Maureen

    Am I able to send in a scanned photo of my drivers license for name change?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Maureen, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. Documents must be original or certified copies. If you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.

  5. Elizabeth

    How long will it take for me to receive back my original documents after mailing them in for my name change (marriage)?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Elizabeth, thanks for using our blog. With the Social Security offices currently closed, it may take longer than normal for the local office to return your documents but they will be returned. We hope this helps.

  6. Terri Z.

    My daughter sent in her SS5 for name change after marriage along with the marriage certificate and passport. She received those documents back, but there was new new Social Security Card enclosed. Is this normal?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Terri, thank you for your question. 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. Hopefully this helps.

  7. Susan B.

    I need to send in original documents for name change. What is the best way to mail them? I’m very afraid of them getting lost.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Susan, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. If you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.

  8. Zachia J.

    Hello how can I fix my middle name on my social security card, birth certificate and passport? My middle name is spelled correctly, I just need to merge the letters together into one name/word.

    For an example: “QWER RTYU IOP” is how my middle name is printed, I want to fix it to “QWERRTYUIOP”.

    The letters on my middle name is spaced out and I want to fix that on all three documents.

    Thank you.

  9. Sue

    Hi-
    I got married March 1, 2020. I have not been able to go to an office thanks to COvid-19. However- I need to get a new SSC with my new name so that I can get my license and everthing else changed over. Do you have any idea when the local offices will be opened back up? Or what do I need to send in which I would hope I would get back in order to get this completed ASAP? Calling was no help was told Id have to wait until the offices reopen. THanks

    • Dana

      I also got married in March 2020 and am under the same Covid-19 restrictions. But it is my understanding from a careful review of the above instructions that we can simply mail in the completed Application along with the required documents which are listed in the above instructions. They will return the documents to you. Hope this helps! Congratulations!

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Sue, congratulations on your recent marriage. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. If you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.

  10. Danielle

    Hello – I’m changing back to my maiden name after a divorce – my judgement papers include that, however with the county court system closed to non-emergent things, I cannot seem to receive my divorce decree yet. I have a copy of the judgement for my lawyer, is that enough or do I have to wait until when the system is back open?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Danielle, thank you for your question. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name and what is acceptable documentation. We hope this helps.

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