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.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: , , ,

See Comments

About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Related Articles

Replacement or Corrected Social Security Cards during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Take Control with Social Security Online

Guard Your Card: Protect What’s Important to You

You and Your Family May Be Eligible for Increased Benefits

Comments

  1. Angelina R.

    Is it possible for me to get my name changed on my Social Security card with an expired ID? I can’t get a new one until January but I got married in November and need my name changed.

    • Vonda

      Hi Angelina, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. You need to submit current (not expired) documents. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.

  2. Brittany H.

    Can you please email me a form of why I need to to change my last name since I got married?

    • Vonda

      Hi Brittany, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to change your name. We hope this is helpful!

  3. Sunny

    Need a name change. While I don’t mind it takes time for SSN to arrive in mailbox, is there an easy way to show my original documents to an officer instead of mailing my important drivers license and naturalization certificate and wait in vain for few weeks please? Least you all should accommodate appointments to show the original document and turn-in the application. Please help the society. Thank you.

    • Vonda

      Hi Sunny, thanks for using our blog. You can call your local Social Security office. 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.

  4. Janella

    How am I supposed to do this in a pandemic? I don’t feel comfortable mailing ALL my important documents cause who knows when or if i’ll even get them back. I got married in July and my licensed expired in November but is “extended” until end of January. Don’t know what to do since the offices won’t allow anyone in.

    • Vonda

      Hi Janella, thanks for using our blog. You can contact your local Social Security office. 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.

  5. LAUREN

    How long does it take to get my new Social Security Card with my new name? I just sent my papers today.
    What is the estimate time to get my documentation back?

    Thanks.
    The staff was very nice when I dropped of my envelop 🙂

    • Vonda

      Hi Lauren, thanks for using our blog. We will mail your Social Security card as soon as we have all of the necessary information. Generally, you will get your card within 10-14 business days from the date your application is processed. To inquire on status, you can contact your local Social Security office. 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.

  6. jackie t.

    I called over a month ago to have my phone number changed and I still can not get into my account because the SSA has not changed my number. And I keep getting told oh it will be but I need it done NOW

    • Vonda

      Hi Jackie, thank you for your question. After you sign in to your my Social Security account, you can update your telephone number. After inputting your username and password, you will be at the security code screen. If you receive your security code via text message, then indicate that you cannot access the options listed above and need to reset where you receive security codes. We will then send you a letter with a reset code and instructions. We hope this helps!

  7. Nikeyia

    Hello, I was recently married and would like to change my name. Just want to know if I can use my passport card as proof of identity instead of sending in my drivers license.

  8. James M.

    Information on my account was changed and therefore my birthdate does not match my actual birthdate. As I have had a social security number for over 30 years, this had to have been changed internally. Now, having been asked to produce my birth certificate, I am directed to go to an office that isn’t open. Multiple times.

    This is a problem when I try to apply for credit cards. It will not allow me to get my tax return on the express method. I can’t get sign up bonuses or discounts on purchases since it doesn’t match up. I DIDN’T CREATE THIS PROBLEM and I am getting no answers other than the office is closed due to the pandemic. Why is this closed?

    I’ve called Social Security and the IRS multiple times and keep getting pushed back to the same information loop. The information was changed without me–without my request or permission–and I only want it changed back.

    Please let me know who I can contact to getting it fixed. And please do not ask whether I have set up a mySocialSecurity account. Thanks to the change in my information, your own system does not allow me to do so.

    Thank you.

    • Vonda

      Hi James, we are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. You can contact your local Social Security office. 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.

  9. Leslie M.

    This administration is a joke! I got married in March and can NOT get a new drivers license WITHOUT a new SS card with my new name. Offices are closed – I held for an HOUR trying to get some information last week. I can not mail photocopies so how am I supposed to mail my drivers license and be without identification, for lord knows, how LONG! It’s ridiculous and frustrating! Everything is a catch 22!

    • Vonda

      Hi Leslie, thanks for using our blog. You can contact your local Social Security office. 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.

      • Larissa B.

        That link doesn’t work.

  10. Shelly

    I understand we are in a pandemic but to ask us to send our personal information in the mail is Ludacris! To say wait until the office opens back up is equally as crazy because again its a pandemic with no word as to when things will fully open back up, meanwhile we need this if we just got married to move forward with other legal name changes .It should be scheduled days and times for people to bring in their required documents drop them off without direct contact and have them scanned into a file and given back to them the same day. You can still give a period of 6-8wks to have it processed but at least you have your personal information in your possession.

    • Leslie M.

      AMEN Shelly! I can’t believe there is not an easier way to make accommodations for people that NEED to take care of their business!

      “Here’s my post”
      Leslie McDonald
      December 7, 2020 11:28AM

      This administration is a joke! I got married in March and can NOT get a new drivers license WITHOUT a new SS card with my new name. Offices are closed – I held for an HOUR trying to get some information last week. I can not mail photocopies so how am I supposed to mail my drivers license and be without identification, for lord knows, how LONG! It’s ridiculous and frustrating! Everything is a catch 22!

      • Kris H.

        What state do you live in? I got married in February and finally agreed to mail my original passport and marriage license to the SS office. Got it back within 2 weeks. Now, I’m just waiting for my new ss card. As far as DL they didn’t need to see my ss card at all. I live in Texas.

        • Nicole C.

          So did they send your passport and license back without the SS card? I just got my documents back today but there was no SS card with it. Not sure if that’s normal or not

          • Vonda

            Hi Nicole, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Generally, you will get your card within 10-14 business days from the date we processed your application. If you haven’t received your card within 30 days, you should call your local Social Security office. For additional details, check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page. We hope this is helpful!

    • Kathy E.

      I completely agree ! How am I supposed to drive to work if I send in my Drivers license ?

      • Claudette M.

        I just did this is California. The office did allow me to drop off my documents in person. They made an exception when I said I would not have any form of ID without my drivers license. It took a week to receive my documents back. The office I used was very secure. In Los Angeles you can go to the DMV and get a piece of paper that allows you to drive w/o a license. I would recommend going to your local DMV and doing this if you are in a hurry. If not, get a state ID and mail them that. That way you have an ID. The paper let me drive, but I was gambling because it isn’t actually an ID. I recommend getting the state ID if you don’t have a passport. That way you still have an ID. it may take 2 weeks longer to apply for you new name, but you won’t have to worry about not being in possession of you ID. MY Los Angeles office was very efficient, and I only bit my nails for a week until I got my documents back. Good luck!

    • Kiki

      I 100% agree. I’ve been trying as well to get a hold of SSA but when I try to schedule an appointment on the phone, none of their lines work and you cant just walk in the building. I got married since March 23, 2020 when the pandemic just broke out and everything shut down. I have tried calling offices since July and all the automated voice keeps telling me is that they can send me papers to fill out it is now December and I can’t change my driving info because I don’t have my SS card updated. I don’t feel comfortable sending sensitive information like that in the mail and I will not. Something needs to be done about this issue.

      • Vonda

        Hi Kiki, thanks for using our blog. You can contact your local Social Security office. 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.

        • Danielle

          They do not answer the local phone number listed under the address to my local social security office. I adopted my autistic grandson and he cannot get essential services because they office is not opened and

          • Vonda

            Hi Danielle, thanks for using our blog. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. 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.

    • Thomas S.

      I agree. We sent originals as required. Where that package went inside the SS bureaucracy, is UNK, and we’re freaking out. Gotta close loan on new house. Already sold current one.

      IN LIMBO. CRAZY

    • Tamara N.

      I agree with you. I just got married on Dec 4th and I just moved to AZ from TX. I have a TX drivers license. I don’t feel comfortable mailing my original marriage license and my passport. There has to be another way to get a new SS card to be able to get a new drivers license during the pandemic.

      • Claudia S.

        I also live in Az. I ordered a replacement ID on the dmv website so essentially I have 2 IDs now and am going to send 1 in. So now I have 1 to drive with and 1 to send. Hope this helps.

    • Ndayizeye A.

      Hello my name is roza ndayizeye but since I become citizen I change my name to Amina Amish ndayizeye so I want to new SS with my new so I can get my ID I need help with that

    • Monica B.

      I totally agree with you.

    • SUSAN

      I agree! There should be a quick window for us to have our personal documents checked in person and then have the SScard processed, using the normal time line.
      I need to change my name back after divorce, and don’t feel comfortable sending DL and SScard in with original divorce documents. Going without proper identification for 4-6 weeks is crazy (these are needed at hospitals and doctor offices, etc in the meantime).
      Then I need to get DL changed, and credit cards, and bank accounts, and insurance policies, etc. Everything hinges on getting the name changed on the SScard first!!

Comments are closed.