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. Alex

    Hello,

    My wife and I recently got married and she needs to get a new social security card to get her name change going. With the offices closed, and the requirement of “proof of identity” not allowing for a photocopy of her driver’s license, are we supposed to just mail the license in with the application? We contacted the DMV and they didn’t have any knowledge on how to go about getting a certified copy of the license.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Alex, 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.

  2. Barbara B.

    QUESTION…..so all you need to do to change your name ON your Social Security Card from recent marriage is fill out SS-5, sign and mail in with your marriage license?

    Please advise. Called SSA, but connection was bad…bad….sounded like a dog barking in the background. Could not understand SSA representative.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Barbara, thanks 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. John M.

    name a name change on wife’s SS card, How is this being handled now since all the offices are currently closed.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi John, 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.

  4. Thomas P.

    My wife needs to change her name on her SSN card to her married name. She is a lawful permanent resident of the US and has her green card. How do we apply for the married name change, which documents do we need to present and can we do this all through the mail and/or online? Thank you for your assistance and the good work you so for those who depend on you.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Thomas, 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. Donna B.

    SSA has refused to change my legal name without a court order; how do I go about getting a court order to do this in Texas?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Donna, thanks for using our blog. To legally change your name, you will need to contact the court clerk where you reside. We hope this helps!

  6. Andrea S.

    Just to be sure I’m doing this correctly: for a name change on my social security card, does the ID and birth certificate need to have the original name on it?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Andrea, 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. Pam S.

    I recently divorced, and I would like to know how do I change my name on my SS card? Can I make an appointment and come into office or can I do all online?

    Thanks!
    Pam

  8. Tammy D.

    Could you please tell me how to change my daughters name on her social security card we adopted her on Jan 31 2020.
    Thanks
    Tammy DuVall

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Tammy, thanks for using our blog. If you legally change your child’s name because of adoption, court order or any other reason, you need to get a corrected Social Security card. Visit our Learn What Documents You Need for details on the documentation requirements. Under the heading, “Type of Card,” select “Corrected” for a list of the documents needed. For complete instructions, go to the Social Security Number and Card web page. We hope this helps!

  9. christyloulourowe

    ididigetthesimlistcheckanddiditmisswithmyssi

  10. christyloulourowe

    ineedtochangethenameonmyssicardfrommymomsnametomynamepleaseandthankyouidontwantmymomtoknow

    • christyloulourowe

      ineedtochangethenameonmy
      ssicardfrommymomsnametomyname
      pleasekeepitbetweenusmymom
      doesnotneedtoknowthatiamchangeingthename
      onmyssicardthankyou

Comments are closed.