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

Comments

  1. Cyntia

    very impressive, interesting and very good content http://185.61.154.49/

  2. Portia L.

    I’ve gotten a divorce and filled out all of the papers from this web site. I wanted to know if there is an email or fax address I can send it to.

    Thank you,

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Portia, thank you for using our blog. If you’re asking about how to change your name after the divorce, check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for the details on the process. 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.

  3. Janet J.

    My daughter-in-law needs to have her named changed on her Social Security card but can’t find an office open to do it. Without her SSN, she can’t change her bank account records or her pay records. Can she make an appointment to get this done?

    • Vonda V.

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

  4. Lilit B.

    I NEED TO CHANGE MY DATE OF BIRTH
    WHAT FORM I NEED TO FILL UP

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Lilit, thank you for your question. To correct your date of birth on your Social Security record, you will need to apply for a replacement Social Security card. Check out our Social Security Number and Card web page for details on how to get a corrected Social Security card. Along with the application, you will need to provide documentation. All documents must be either originals or certified copies. You will need to provide evidence of your age (for example, a U.S. public birth certificate) and current documentation for evidence of identity. See Learn What Documents You Need for a list of acceptable identity documents. 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.

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  6. Karonta

    My last diakite my husband’s name we are divorced been since 2007 I would like my maiden name back which is Beecher does it go back automatically

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Karonta, 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.

  7. Lauren R.

    Hello, I am wanting to change my social security card to my new married name & would like to know who to mail proper documentation to & what it is you need from me other than the marriage license

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Lauren, 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. Melanie R.

    I need the address to mail in the info to get my name changed due to getting married. Our local office is closed due to CV-19 and I dont want a delay in getting my new ss card.

    Thanks
    Melanie

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Melanie, 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 the original or certified copy of 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.

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  10. Manena N.

    I received a medicare card in the mail and it was issued with my previous name before I got married and changed my name with social security. I now have a social security card, passport and CA drivers license with my correct married name from about two years ago. Can you please correct your records and notify Medicare so they will issue me a new card in my correct name. I have all the correct legal documents to prove i changed my name. Medicare says your records still indicate my name is Manena N Seamons. I have changed it to Manena N Harper. My phone number is 707-396-8000. thanks for your help in correcting this matter.

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