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. Felicia H.

    I was married in 2019, but only got around to changing my name on my social security card. I’ve since become conflicted and want to continue to use my maiden name (at least for business) instead of my husband’s name.

    Will I have to go to court in Illinois to revert to my maiden name since I only changed the name on my SS card and no other documents?

    Thank you in advance!

    • Sue

      The Social Security number (SSN) was created for the sole purpose of tracking the earnings histories of U.S. workers for use in determining Social Security benefit entitlement and computing benefit levels. That’s why it’s critical that the name and number on your Social Security card agree with your employer’s payroll records and W-2 so that we can credit your earnings to your record. It is up to you to make sure that both our records and your employer’s records are correct. In addition, when you file your taxes, be sure to use your married name to prevent a delay in any tax refund.

  2. Amy M.

    I need to change my name to my married name. However, I cannot mail in my driver’s license because I need it while I am driving.
    If I do not have a passport to mail in what is my other option to prove my identity?

    Thank you!

    • Vonda

      Hi Amy, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  3. Kaylene J.

    I changed my infants name and have a new birth certificate for him. Now how do I go about getting him a new social security card for him?

    • Vonda

      Hi Kaylene, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change a name on a Social Security card. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  4. Kelly

    I recently got divorced with a legal name change. I tried calling over 15 times and every time was hung up on – ridiculous system…. anyways, I want to clarify what specifically you need other than my legal order of name change document and the social security card application with my new name. Will you need any additional documents? Also, when will I get my documents back, will it be along with my new card?
    Thanks!

    • Vonda

      Hi Kelly, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  5. STEVEN

    WHERE DO I HAVE TO SEND MY REQUEST OF NAME CAHNGE DUE TO MARRIAGE OR CAN I TAKE IT TO A SSN OFFICE LOCAL TO ME?

    • Vonda

      Hi Steven, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. You can mail the application and documentation to your local Social Security office. Use our Social Security Office Locator to obtain the mailing address.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  6. Kyla H.

    If we mail in all original documents, what’s the possibility of not getting it back

  7. Hannah F.

    I need to change my name after my marriage. Do we need to send our actual drivers license in? Or can we make a copy of it? Will I get my certified copy of my marriage license back?
    Thank you

    • Vonda

      Hi Hannah, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  8. Pamela

    Hi, will I get my original copy’s of my paperwork back from you?

    Thank you.

  9. Tabitha

    I was told the original marriage certificate had to be mailed in I believe along with the name change form

  10. Angie S.

    I need to change my name.
    Are you saying we have to mail in our drivers license? That’s just not possible.
    Please tell me and the others how we can work around not mailing in a drivers license.
    Thank you

    • Simone R.

      I’m trying to change my name back to my surname I have a doctor’s letter sign with my health insurance number and the divorce decree paper can I mail it in to change my name

    • Vonda

      Hi Angie, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

    • Cindy B.

      It says you can mail in your birth certificate.

    • Jewels

      Yes but surely you will have to send in the actual ID/Drivers License into the SSA office. I had to do that myself. A copy of the ID/DL will not work, original only. It was nerve wrecking but thankfully I got my DL back in one piece.

      • Stacy

        OMG R U Serious??? Everyone knows you NEVER mail originals! This is so absurd? SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ridiculous! yeah sure I feel real confident to mail in originals and drive around for weeks with no DL on you?? I called there 2 times wait on hold for over 10 mins and both times I was hung up on??? Yeah sure I believe they will send my originals back smh WORSE customer service ever!!!!!!

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