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. Stacey L.

    I need to know where to send my application and required documents to obtain a new SS card with my married name on it.

    • Vonda

      Hi Stacey, thanks 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.

  2. Brenna

    I applied for my name change mid December 2020 and was told it would take 7-14 days from the date the application was approved and processed to receive my new card. We are now a month past that date and I still do not have my new card. Can I be contacted about this?? I have tried calling to speak with someone and of course, no one is ever available. Very frustrated at this point as I have a lot of legal documents I need changed.

  3. Becca

    I know this is ridiculous but I was married 30 years ago but never changed the name on my ss card. I am sending in the application and all documents now. Will I have difficulty receiving whatever ss benefits I should have coming to me (from past employment earnings) since only applying now? Do I need to file additional paperwork?

    • Vonda

      Hi Becca, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get your Social Security Statement that shows a record of your earnings. We hope this is helpful!

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  5. Mary

    I need to have my name corrected in the SSA system. It is showing my maiden last name still my last name while simply adding my married name on the end (NOT CORRECT). This is messing up all of my tax documents and I don’t know where to go to get this corrected.

    • Vonda

      Hi Mary, 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.

  6. Tanya P.

    I was recently married and need to change my last name. I called and was told all I needed to send was my marriage license. I s this true? Just want to be sure so I dont waist my time or yours by having to resubmit.

    • Hallie (.

      No…they will send it back incomplete. It is ridiculous. You have to send an original or certified copy of your Marriage License AND your Driver’s License (not a photocopy!!! Crazy…I know. Who in their right mind would put their DL in an envelope to not get back for who knows how long!!). You can send your original passport (cannot be expired!), a bunch of other items that most of us don’t have (Military ID, State ID, certified copy of your medical records – whatever that means!! – …but they WILL not accept your Birth Certificate!! The exact document that they USE originally to GIVE you a SS Card. The whole thing is archaic and insensitive in these times of a global pandemic. I am so frustrated and have talked to 3 SS employees and they cannot do anything. They ARE taking appointments, but not for a name change. Again, because this generally affects WOMEN at a higher rate, the powers that be just do not CARE.

  7. Audrey

    My question is, if you’re closed to the public, will a photo copy of my driver’s license work for a name change? I can’t rightly send my actual driver’s license to you.

    • Vonda

      Thanks for using our blog to ask your question, Audrey. 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.

      • Hallie (.

        This has caused a crazy amount of stress to WOMEN who need to change their name. It is absolutely unconscionable to ask us to send in our Drivers License that is NEEDED every time we drive, pick up prescriptions, go to the doctor, write a check, pick up a child, etc. However, Our Birth Certificate is not an acceptable source for identification. The list of acceptable documents, at least in this time of Covid and a worldwide Pandemic, should be increased to include a photocopy of a Drivers License OR our Birth Certificate. The other options make ZERO sense to send by mail. What about including our original Social Security card? We don’t need that EVERY day. It has our name, the number, and it can be checked out immediately at any SS location? The whole thing has always been unbalanced for women, but during this time, when we are not ALLOWED to have an appointment for a name change, to ask us to MAIL our original documents to you without an option for our extenuating circumstances is absurd! I understand that steps have been taken to change policies to protect the SS employees, so give the American WOMEN the same consideration until we can go back to waiting in line for 4 hours (which I had to do the LAST time I had a name change) to just let you all glance at my Marriage License and my Drivers License.

  8. Robin D.

    Needing to check status on my new card. Got married in September and sent the application with a certified copy of my marriage license and Driver License. How long does it take for the new card to come in?

    • Vonda

      Hi Robin. To check on the status of your Social Security card application, 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.

  9. Patty

    Hi! i need to change my last name can i send a certified copy of the marriage license? and if yes do i send it the SSA near me or do i have to send it to a specific place. thank you

    • Vonda

      Hi Patty, thanks for using our blog to ask your questions. 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. The completed application and required documentation is sent to your local office. Use our Social Security Office Locator to obtain their 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.

      • Nj

        I have not been provided with raised seal documents. They have only emailed me with the documents. Is this acceptable? I think this is because of covid.

  10. Lawrence E.

    I need to change the way my sons last name is shown on his SS card. His card shows one of his middle names joined with his last name

    • Vonda

      Hi Lawrence, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change or correct 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.

Comments are closed.