What you need to do to change your name with Social Security
To change your name on your Social Security card, you submit Form SS-5 (process for a Social Security Card) to your local Social Security office, along with proof of your legal name change and proof of identity. Social Security does not change your name on their records until you show them official documentation — a court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or naturalization papers — that proves the change is legal. The process takes about two weeks once Social Security receives your completed form and documents.
You do not need to change your name with Social Security before you change it elsewhere, but you should do it soon after your legal name change is final. Waiting creates problems: your W-2 forms, tax returns, and benefit records may not match your identification, which can delay tax refunds, cause issues with employers, and create confusion if you ever need to claim benefits.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring Form SS-5, proof of your legal name change (court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree), and a government-issued photo ID to your local Social Security office.
- Social Security will not process a name change without official legal documentation — a copy of the document is not enough; you must show the original or a certified copy.
- The name change takes effect within two weeks, but your new card arrives by mail in one to two weeks after that.
- You should change your name with Social Security before updating your employer, bank, and tax records to avoid mismatches that delay refunds and benefits.
What documents prove a legal name change
Social Security accepts only certain documents as proof of a legal name change. A court order is the strongest proof and covers name changes granted by a judge for any reason. A marriage certificate proves a name change through marriage. A divorce decree or divorce judgment proves a name change through divorce. A naturalization certificate or Certificate of Naturalization proves a name change that happened during the citizenship process.
The document must be an original or a certified copy — a photocopy or a copy you printed from an online database is not acceptable. If you do not have the original, you can request a certified copy from the court that issued the order, the vital records office in the state where you were married or divorced, or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services if the change happened during naturalization. Certified copies usually cost between $10 and $30 and take one to three weeks to arrive.
How to get Form SS-5 and what to fill in
Form SS-5 is available on the Social Security Administration website at ssa.gov. You can read and print it, or pick up a copy at your local Social Security office. The form asks for your current Social Security number, your current legal name, your new legal name, your date of birth, your place of birth, your mother's maiden name, and your citizenship status. It also asks why you are changing your name — you select from options like marriage, divorce, court order, or naturalization.
Fill in the form in black or blue ink and sign it in the signature box. Do not sign it before you go to the Social Security office; an employee must watch you sign. Bring the completed but unsigned form, your proof of legal name change, your government-issued photo ID (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), and your Social Security card if you have it. If you do not have a photo ID, bring two documents that prove your identity, such as a birth certificate and a utility bill with your current address.
Where to submit your form and what happens next
Take your form and documents to your local Social Security office. You can find the address and hours on ssa.gov by entering your zip code. Most offices accept walk-ins, but some require an appointment. Call ahead or check the office's page on the Social Security website to see if you need to book a time slot. Bring all your documents in originals or certified copies; Social Security will not accept photocopies as proof of your name change.
An employee will review your form and documents, watch you sign the form, and take your information. They will tell you that your new card will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. Your name change takes effect in Social Security's system within two business days, even if your card has not arrived yet. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your name has been changed if you need to verify it before your card arrives.
What to do after your name change is processed
Once your new Social Security card arrives, update your name with your employer's payroll department so your W-2 forms match your Social Security record. Contact your bank and credit card companies to update your name on your accounts. File a change of name with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles if you have not already done so. If you file taxes, update your name with the IRS using Form 8822-B (Change of Address) or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
If you receive Social Security benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, or other government benefits, contact those programs separately to update your name. Each program maintains its own records, and Social Security does not automatically notify them of your name change. Updating your name in all these places prevents delays in benefit payments, tax refunds, and mail from government agencies.
What happens if you change your name but do not update Social Security
If your name changes legally but you do not update Social Security, your earnings record will not match your name. This causes problems when you file taxes: your employer sends a W-2 with your new name, but Social Security's records show your old name, and the IRS may not credit the earnings to your account. This can delay your tax refund and, over time, reduce the amount of Social Security benefits you are may have access to to because your earnings history will be incomplete.
If you receive benefits under your old name and change your name legally without notifying Social Security, benefit payments may stop or be delayed because the name on the check will not match the name on your bank account. The longer you wait to update your name, the more records become mismatched, and the harder it is to fix the problem later. It is easier to change your name with Social Security within a few weeks of your legal name change than to correct years of mismatched records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment to change my name at Social Security?
Some Social Security offices require appointments and others accept walk-ins. Check your local office's page on ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 to find out. If appointments are required and none are available, you may be able to walk in during a specific window or be added to a waitlist.
Can I change my name online or by mail?
No. You must go to a Social Security office in person. An employee must watch you sign Form SS-5, and you must show your original or certified copy of your legal name change document. Social Security does not process name changes by mail or online.
What if I lost my marriage certificate or court order?
Request a certified copy from the court that issued the order or the vital records office in the state where you were married or divorced. You can also contact the clerk of court in the county where the order was issued. Certified copies usually cost $10 to $30 and take one to three weeks.
How long does it take to get my new Social Security card?
Your name change takes effect in Social Security's system within two business days. Your new card arrives by mail within one to two weeks after that. You can use your new name with employers and banks as soon as Social Security confirms the change, even if your card has not arrived yet.
What if my name change was part of a divorce but I do not have the divorce decree?
Contact the court clerk in the county where your divorce was finalized and request a certified copy of your divorce judgment or decree. If you cannot locate the court, contact your state's vital records office or the state court administrator's office for help finding the right courthouse.