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. christyloulourowe

    ineedtochangethenameonthecardtochristyloulourowepleaseandthankyou

    • christyloulourowe

      idontwantmymomsnameonitanymoreshemakesmewaituntilthefristofeverymonthsocanipleasechangethenametochristyloulourowethankyou

  2. Judith D.

    I just got married and I want to change my last name to my husbands. Can we make an appointment or do I have to come down to the office ?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Judith, 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.

  3. Gilbert

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  4. Jada D.

    I just got married, and I would like to change my name. I was wondering if there is another way to change my name right now other than having to mail in my drivers license?

    • Vonda V.

      Congratulations, Jada. 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. heraan h.

    i also want to change because i was searching Top 5 best all in one laser printers . it would be so good for me

  6. Hope V.

    What do I need to do to change my name on my social security card being married now? How do I go about getting one?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Hope, 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. linda J.

    hello my name is linda juszczak as it is on my social security card , but i am now married recently as of 10/06/2020 , my new name is now Linda Marie Velasquez , how do i get an application to fill out that needs to be sent ? so that i can change my name .

    • Vonda V.

      Congratulations, Linda! 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. Mia

    I would like to change my surname, eventually, after eloping. Before I do so, I want to have a wedding with family and friends. Currently, I am a CA resident with intentions of moving to AZ before 2021. If I fill in the “new last name” blank on the marriage license here (California), do I need to start switching over immediately after the marriage is officiated, or can I wait until after the ceremony/party (at an undetermined date)?

  9. Christine

    I am changing my name. Do I sign the form with my current name that is on my Social Security Card or the name I am changing it to? Also, do you accept copies of documents or do I have to mail in originals? That seems risky, I need my driver’s license. I can’t mail that in.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Christine, 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 (we cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of 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. Doris B.

    I remarried 14 years ago and have never changed my name with SS. I would like my middle name to be my maiden name and my last name to be my current husband’s last name as on my marriage license.
    Currently my driver’s license has my name with my middle name as the one given at birth and my current husband’s last name.
    I use my maiden name professionally and in many personal and social settings and would like to have it has my middle name. I do not want to lose that name.
    Do I just provide my birth certificate for this change?
    I will be providing my marriage license for the change of my last name.
    Current name with SS is Doris Anne Odegaard
    my deceased husband’s last name.
    The name I would like to change to is Doris Bunnell Roberge.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Doris, 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.

    • christyloulourowe

      ineedmymomsnameoffmyssicardpleaseandthankyou

Comments are closed.