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. DL

    You write as though everyone that has a Social Security Card is a U.S. citizen. Many non-citizens also have Social Security cards.

  2. Joseph C.

    Any idea when in person meetings will be available to apply for last name change for social security card due to marriage to show documents in person for a green card holder?

  3. togel s.

    Pengeluaran togel. Kalian dapat pastikan hal ini karekan permainan ini sangat mudah untuk lakukan. Benar sekali, kalian yang ingin memaikan permainan ini hanya perlu menebak empat. Setelah itu, kalian hanya perlu mengumpulkan angka ini kepada bandara. Dengan melakukan hal ini, maka kalian hanya perlu menunggu hasil pengumuman.
    data sgp

  4. Lisa l.

    Hi, my husband would like me to change my last name to his in the near future. It looks like I need my drivers license, a birth certificate, something medical..I do not have a passport, never needed one. can you please email me the proper forms to fill out as the agent on the phone helped me through this and i cannot find where to go to get the required paper work…thank you

    • V.V.

      Hi Lisa, 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.

  5. togelterpercaya

    Salah satu penyedia layanan bertaruh toto online yang dipercaya dan dapat diandalkan di Indonesia saat ini ialah Rupiahtoto. Cukup bergabung dengan deposit murah di link berikut ini bandar togel terpercaya di indonesia kamu sudah bisa bermain dan bergembira. Tunjukan jika kamu jago dalam bermain togel!

  6. Paige F.

    I need to change my name on my social

    • V.V.

      Hi Paige, 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. Angela M.

    Can I send documents via Fax to change my name on social security card? I don’t trust sending originals through the mail.

    • V.V.

      Hi Angela, 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. jackie

    Good evening
    I want to change my maiden name to my married name on my SS card. I have been married for 17. years. I understand that Social Security offices are closed. How would I mail in my application. What documents do I need. I know that I need the original marriage certificate. However, do I need any additional supporting documents. please help me

    • V.V.

      Hi Jackie, 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.

  9. Emma S.

    please help me with a name change on my social security. What form do I use # ?

    • V.V.

      Hi Emma, 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.

      • Pam M.

        If I am mailing in my paperwork for name change after I got married is it sufficient to send in my birth certificate and marriage license? I’m concerned about the “identity” section because I don’t want to mail in my drivers license because that is something I need daily. And I don’t have an active passport.

        • V.V.

          Hi Pam, thanks for using our blog. We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. Check out our Learn What Documents You Will Need for a corrected Social Security card web page for a listing. You can contact your local Social Security office for specific questions. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  10. Mariasolit@yahoo.com

    Hi- I have lost my Social Security card and I need one to apply for my CAL ID. It looks like I have an account but I have no idea what I used for my username and password. Can you help? Thank you

    • V.V.

      Hi Mariasolit, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to retrieve or change your username and password. We hope this helps!

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