What You Need to Do at Social Security

To change your name with Social Security, you must visit your local Social Security office in person with proof of your legal name change and proof of identity. Social Security does not process name changes by mail, phone, or online. You will fill out Form SS-5 (process for a Social Security Card) at the office, and a staff member will help you complete it. The office will send your new card to you by mail within one to two weeks.

You cannot change your name with Social Security until you have already changed it legally through a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree. Social Security verifies your legal name change against vital records before issuing a new card. Bring the original document or a certified copy — a photocopy alone will not work.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Social Security office in person with your legal name-change document and a photo ID; no online or mail options exist.
  • Form SS-5 is the only form Social Security accepts for name changes, and office staff will help you fill it out.
  • Your legal name change must come first — through court order, marriage, or divorce — before Social Security will process the change.
  • Your new Social Security card arrives by mail within one to two weeks after you submit the form at the office.
  • Bring original documents or certified copies; photocopies are not accepted.

What Documents to Bring

Bring your original legal name-change document or a certified copy. If you changed your name through marriage, bring your marriage certificate. If you changed your name through divorce, bring your divorce decree. If you changed your name through a court order, bring the court order itself. Social Security will not accept a photocopy or a document you printed from an online database — it must be an original or certified by the court or vital records office.

You also need a photo ID that shows your current legal name. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. If your ID still shows your old name, bring it anyway — Social Security staff understand that you are in the process of updating documents. Bring your current Social Security card if you have one, though it is not required.

Finding Your Local Social Security Office

Go to ssa.gov/locator and enter your zip code to find the office nearest you. The website shows hours, phone numbers, and whether the office requires an appointment. Some offices take walk-ins; others require you to call ahead or book online. Call the office directly to ask whether you need an appointment — wait times vary widely by location, and some offices have long backlogs.

If you live in a rural area far from an office, call 1-800-772-1213 to ask whether a mobile office visits your area or whether you can request a home visit. Home visits are rare but possible if you are homebound or have a disability that makes travel impossible.

What Happens at the Office

When you arrive, tell the staff member that you are there to change your name on your Social Security card. They will ask you to show your legal name-change document and your photo ID. They will verify that the name on the document matches the name you want on your new card. Then they will hand you Form SS-5 and help you fill it out. The form asks for your current name, your new name, your date of birth, and your Social Security number.

The staff member will submit the form and your documents right there. You do not need to mail anything yourself. Ask for a receipt showing that you submitted the form — this receipt proves you applied if anyone asks about your name change before your new card arrives. Your new card will be mailed to the address on file with Social Security, usually within one to two weeks.

Updating Other Documents After Your Name Change

Your Social Security card is one of many documents you will need to update. After you receive your new Social Security card, use it to update your driver's license or state ID at your local DMV. Then update your passport at your state passport office or a passport acceptance facility. Update your bank accounts, employer records, insurance policies, and any other documents that list your name by contacting each organization directly.

Keep your old Social Security card until your new one arrives, in case you need to prove your identity during the transition. Once your new card arrives, you can destroy the old one. Some people keep both for a few months as backup, which is fine — having two cards with different names does not cause problems as long as you use the new one going forward.

If Your Name Change Was Through Marriage or Divorce

If you changed your name through marriage, bring your marriage certificate. If you changed your name through divorce, bring your divorce decree. These documents serve as your proof of legal name change. You do not need a separate court order. Social Security staff are familiar with both types of name changes and will process them the same way as court-ordered changes.

If you were married in another state or country, bring the original marriage certificate or a certified copy. If you were divorced in another state, bring the original divorce decree or a certified copy. Social Security will verify these documents against vital records databases, so they must be official documents, not copies you made yourself.

What to Do If You Cannot Visit in Person

Social Security does not offer mail-in or phone name changes under normal circumstances. However, if you are homebound, in a hospital, or have a disability that makes travel impossible, call 1-800-772-1213 and explain your situation. Ask whether a representative can visit you at home or whether you can complete the process by mail as an exception. These requests are rare and must be documented, but they are sometimes granted.

If you are outside the United States, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. They can help you submit your name-change documents to Social Security and may be able to process the request faster than a domestic office. Bring your passport, your legal name-change document, and proof of U.S. citizenship.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my new Social Security card?

Your new card arrives by mail within one to two weeks after you submit the form at the office. If you do not receive it within three weeks, call 1-800-772-1213 to check the status. In rare cases, Social Security may need to verify your legal name change with vital records, which can add a few extra days.

Can I change my name online or by mail?

No. Social Security requires you to visit an office in person with original documents. This is a security requirement to prevent fraud. No online or mail option exists, even if you have a Social Security account.

What if my legal name-change document is from another country?

Bring the original document and a certified English translation if the document is in another language. Contact your local Social Security office before you visit to ask whether they need the translation certified by a court or a professional translator.

Do I need to change my name with Social Security before I change my driver's license?

No. You can change them in any order. Many people change their driver's license first because the DMV is often easier to visit. However, you will eventually need to update both, and Social Security will ask to see your legal name-change document regardless of which one you do first.

What if I lost my legal name-change document?

Contact the court that issued the order or the vital records office in the state where you were married or divorced. Request a certified copy of your legal name-change document. This usually costs between five and twenty dollars and takes one to two weeks. You cannot proceed with Social Security until you have this document.