Need to Change Your Name on Your Social Security Card?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
Are 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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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, Social Security card, SSN
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Alice D.
I did not request an on line account or address change
Evelyn C.
I recently got married. I would like a application to change my last name on my social security card.
Vonda V.
Hi Evelyn, 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.
Christopher r.
Will that mail back my birth certificate and documents I sent in to get a replacement card?
Vonda V.
Hi Christopher, thanks for using our blog. All submitted documents will be returned. Because we are experiencing slight delays processing mail-in SSN card applications, it may take us between two and four weeks to process the application and return the evidence. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for additional details. We hope this is helpful!
Matt D.
I’m need to change my daughter name on her SS card she is adopted I have the court papers and birth certificate
Vonda V.
Hi Matt, 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!
Tony S.
My wife came here in January on a K1 fiance visa. We were married in February, but the local court clerk who performed the ceremony would not change her last name to mine at that time. She said that we would need to wait for her to achieve US permanent resident status through USCIS first. Well, today, we received her Social Security card in the mail, and it has her old last name on it, not mine. Please help us in getting this corrected to my last name. Thank you.
Vonda V.
Hi Tony, 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.
Joesph H.
Current correspondence from Social Security Administration shows my middle initial wrong. How do I get this corrected?
Vonda V.
Hi Joseph, 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.
shamika b.
I want to change my last name on the SS card, I was told I had to send in some paperwork not sure where to send it
I looked up the local office in Winder Ga just want to make sure that is the correct address
Vonda V.
Hi Shamika, thanks for using our blog. Use our Social Security Office Locator to obtain your local office mailing address and telephone number. We hope this is helpful!
Alex
Currently in the process of trying to change my name.
So I’ve received my documents back via mail after mailing in my application. There was nothing else in the envelope to confirm if my application is now in process or if my documents are insufficient to process my application.
Is there a way to see if my application is approved/processed/denied?
Yasmeen
Hello, I saw this on the site would like clarification on this if possible. I want to change my name since I am newly married. I am able to send one passport and the marriage certificate with the old ssn? or would a birth certificate or drivers license still be necessary?
“We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.”
Diane H.
I was married 25 years ago but never changed my name from my first husband’s name. We divorced in 1987 or the year before or after. Now getting ready to apply for retirement. How do I get my correct name on my social security card. I have been using it thur out the years filing taxes getting drivers licenses they always put my now correct name on everything even though my SSI card had a different name.
Vonda V.
Hi Diane, 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.
beth
hi i’m trying to change my name and i read i need to change my social first before applying for an ID. what do i need to do as far as filling out a name change for my social? could i fill the form out and then fax over my marriage certificate? or how should i go about it? TIA.
Vonda V.
Hi Beth, 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.