The fastest way to change your address with Social Security

You can change your mailing address with Social Security online through your personal my Social Security account, by phone, or in person at a local office. The online method is fastest — you can update it in minutes without waiting for mail or an appointment. If you do not have a my Social Security account yet, you can create one at ssa.gov using your email, Social Security number, and a way to verify your identity (usually a mobile phone number or U.S. passport number).

Once you are logged in, go to "My Profile" and select "Change My Address." Enter your new address, review it for accuracy, and submit. The change takes effect when ready in Social Security's system, though you may still receive mail at your old address for a few weeks while the postal service catches up.

If you prefer not to use the online account, you can call Social Security's toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak to a representative. Have your Social Security number and new address ready. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person — find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator.

Key Takeaways

  • The my Social Security online account is the fastest way to change your address and takes effect when ready.
  • You can also change your address by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting a local Social Security office in person.
  • You will need to verify your identity to create a my Social Security account, usually with a mobile phone number or U.S. passport number.
  • After you submit your address change, Social Security updates it right away, but mail in transit may still arrive at your old address for a few weeks.

Creating a my Social Security account if you do not have one

If you have never set up a my Social Security account, you will need to do that first before you can change your address online. Go to ssa.gov and click "Create an account" in the upper right corner. You will be asked for your email address, a password, and your Social Security number.

Social Security will then ask you to verify your identity. The most common method is to provide a mobile phone number — they will send you a code by text message that you enter to confirm it is really you. If you do not have a mobile phone, you can verify using a U.S. passport number, a driver's license number, or other documents. The verification process usually takes a few minutes.

Once your account is verified, you can log in and change your address when ready. You can also use the account later to check your earnings record, view your Social Security statement, and change other information.

Changing your address by phone

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Have your Social Security number and new address written down before you call. A representative will ask you to confirm your identity by answering questions about your personal history — this is a security step to make sure you are the account holder.

The representative will then ask for your new address and read it back to you to confirm it is correct. They will tell you the change has been recorded. You do not need to do anything else — the address change is complete. Calls can take 10 to 20 minutes depending on how busy the line is, so consider calling early in the morning or on a Tuesday or Wednesday when wait times are typically shorter.

Changing your address in person at a Social Security office

You can walk into any Social Security office and ask to change your mailing address. Bring your Social Security card (or a document that shows your Social Security number) and a photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You do not need an appointment for an address change, though you may wait in line.

Tell the receptionist you want to change your address. A representative will ask you to confirm your identity, take your new address, and read it back to you. The change is recorded on the spot. This method works well if you prefer to handle it face-to-face or if you have other Social Security business to take care of at the same time.

Find your nearest Social Security office by visiting ssa.gov/locator and entering your zip code. The office locator will show you hours, phone numbers, and whether the office is currently open.

What happens after you change your address

Social Security updates your address in their system when ready, whether you change it online, by phone, or in person. Any new mail from Social Security — such as benefit statements, tax forms, or notices — will be sent to your new address.

However, mail that was already in the postal system before you made the change may still arrive at your old address. This can take a few weeks to clear out. If you are expecting important mail from Social Security and you have just moved, you can contact your local post office and ask them to forward mail from your old address to your new one. The post office can set up mail forwarding for free through USPS.com or at your local post office.

If you receive mail at your old address after you have moved, you can write "Return to Sender — Moved" on it and put it back in the mail. Social Security will receive it and update their records if needed.

Changing your address if you receive benefits

If you receive Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, changing your mailing address through any of these methods will update the address for your benefits as well. You do not need to contact a separate office or fill out a different form.

If you also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the address change applies to that too. However, if you receive benefits through a representative payee (someone who manages your benefits on your behalf), the representative payee should make the address change, not you. If you are unsure whether you have a representative payee, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask.

Changing your address for Medicare or other programs

Changing your address with Social Security does not automatically change it with Medicare, the Veterans Administration, or other government programs. If you receive benefits from those programs, you will need to contact them separately to update your address.

For Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit Medicare.gov. For the Veterans Administration, call 1-800-827-1000 or visit VA.gov. For other programs, contact the agency directly. Updating your address in one place does not carry over to the others, so make a list of all the agencies you deal with and contact each one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my address change to go through?

Your address change takes effect when ready in Social Security's system. However, mail that was already sent before you made the change may still arrive at your old address for a few weeks. If you are expecting a specific document, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm they have your new address on file.

What if I do not have a my Social Security account and do not want to create one?

You can change your address by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting a local Social Security office in person. Both methods work just as well as the online account and do not require you to set up anything new. You will need to verify your identity by answering security questions.

Can I change my address if I am not the account holder?

If you are a representative payee or legal guardian managing someone else's Social Security account, you can change their address by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting a local office. You will need to bring documents proving your authority to act on their behalf. Contact Social Security before you visit to find out what documents they need.

Will changing my address with Social Security affect my taxes?

Changing your mailing address with Social Security does not change your address with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you have moved, you should also update your address with the IRS by filing Form 8822 or by updating it through your IRS online account at IRS.gov. Social Security and the IRS keep separate records.

What if I move again soon after changing my address?

You can change your address with Social Security as many times as you need to. Use the same method — online, by phone, or in person — and update it each time you move. There is no limit to how many times you can make changes.