What you need to do to change your name on your Social Security card

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 based on what you say—they need documents that show a court or government agency has already recognized the change. This means you must obtain your legal name change first through a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree before Social Security will update their records.

The process takes about two weeks after you submit everything, though it can take longer if documents are missing or unclear. You will receive your new card by mail at the address you provide. You do not need to appear in person if you are explore by mail, but some people find it faster to visit an office in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a legal document proving your name change—a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree—before Social Security will issue a new card.
  • Form SS-5 is the official process, and you can submit it by mail or in person at a Social Security office.
  • You will need to show proof of identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID) along with your legal name-change document.
  • Processing takes roughly two weeks by mail, though visiting an office in person may be faster depending on wait times.
  • You can check the status of your process by calling Social Security or visiting your local office, but there is no online tracking system.

Gather your legal name-change document

Social Security requires one of three types of documents to prove your name has legally changed. A court order is the most common—this is a document issued by a judge in a name-change case. A marriage certificate works if you took your spouse's last name or changed your name as part of marriage. A divorce decree or divorce judgment works if you changed your name back or to a different name as part of the divorce.

The document must be an original or certified copy. A photocopy you made yourself will not work. If you do not have the original, you can request a certified copy from the court that issued it (for a court order or divorce decree) or from the vital records office in the state where you were married (for a marriage certificate). This usually costs between $10 and $30 and takes one to two weeks by mail.

Bring the original document with you if you visit in person, or make a certified copy to mail with your form. Do not send your original document by mail unless you have a certified copy to keep for yourself.

Get proof of your current identity

Social Security needs to see that you are who you say you are. Acceptable documents include a valid driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. The document must not be expired, though Social Security will sometimes accept an expired passport if it was issued within the last five years.

If you do not have any of these documents, Social Security accepts other forms of ID in this order: a school ID, employee ID, health insurance card, or bank statement with your name and address. You may need to bring two documents if your primary ID does not have a photo. Call your local Social Security office before you go to confirm what they will accept, since rules can vary slightly by location.

Complete Form SS-5 and choose how to submit it

read Form SS-5 from the Social Security website or pick up a copy at your local Social Security office. Fill in your current name, your new name, date of birth, Social Security number, and the reason for the change (marriage, divorce, or court order). You do not need to sign the form before you submit it—Social Security will ask you to sign it in front of them or a notary.

You have two options for submitting your process. By mail: Send the completed form, your certified name-change document, a copy of your ID, and a photocopy of both sides of your current Social Security card (if you have one) to your local Social Security office. Look up the mailing address on the Social Security website by entering your state and county. Processing takes about two weeks. In person: Visit your local Social Security office with the original form, your original name-change document, and your ID. Bring your current Social Security card if you have it. You will sign the form there, and staff will make copies of your documents. This can be faster if the office is not busy, but wait times vary widely.

What happens after you submit your process

Social Security will review your documents to make sure they are complete and legitimate. If something is missing or unclear, they will contact you by phone or mail to ask for more information. This is why providing a phone number and current address on your form is important.

Once everything checks out, Social Security updates their records and prints your new card. You will receive it by mail at the address you provided on the form. The card itself looks the same as your old one—it has your new name printed on it, but the same Social Security number. Keep your old card until the new one arrives, then destroy it by cutting it in half.

If you submitted your process by mail and have not heard anything after three weeks, call your local Social Security office to check on the status. Have your Social Security number ready when you call.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common reason applications are delayed is submitting a photocopy instead of a certified copy of your name-change document. Social Security specifically requires a certified copy—a document stamped or sealed by the court or vital records office that issued it. A regular photocopy, even if it is notarized, will not work.

Another frequent mistake is not signing the form. If you mail in your process unsigned, Social Security will send it back and ask you to sign it in front of a notary or at an office. This adds two to three weeks to the process. If you are mailing your form, you can leave the signature line blank and Social Security will contact you to arrange a signature, but it is faster to sign it in front of a notary before you mail it.

Do not send your original name-change document by mail unless you have a certified copy to keep. If the document gets lost in the mail, you will have to request a replacement from the court or vital records office, which costs money and takes time.

If you need your card faster

Visiting a Social Security office in person is usually faster than mailing your process, especially if you go early in the morning on a weekday when wait times are shorter. Some offices have walk-in hours, but many now require you to make an appointment online or by phone. Check the Social Security website for your local office's hours and appointment options.

There is no expedited or rush option for Social Security cards. The standard processing time is about two weeks no matter how you submit your process. If you need proof that you have applied for a new card before it arrives, ask for a receipt when you submit your process in person, or request one by phone if you mailed your form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new Social Security card if I changed my name through marriage?

No, you do not have to get a new card, but most people do because employers, banks, and other organizations expect your name to match your Social Security records. If you do not update it, you may have trouble opening accounts or getting hired. A new card is free, so there is no cost to updating your records.

Can I use a certified copy of my marriage certificate that is more than 10 years old?

Yes, Social Security does not have an age limit on certified copies. As long as the document is certified (stamped or sealed by the vital records office), it does not matter when it was issued. The certification itself does not expire.

What if I lost my Social Security card and also need to change my name?

You can do both at the same time by submitting one Form SS-5 with your name-change document and ID. Social Security will issue a new card with your new name. You do not need to report the lost card separately.

How long does it take to get a certified copy of my marriage certificate?

It depends on the state and the vital records office. Most states mail certified copies within one to two weeks, but some take longer during busy periods. You can usually pay extra for expedited processing, which takes three to five business days. Call the vital records office in the state where you were married to ask about their current wait times and fees.

Can I change my name on my Social Security card online?

No, Social Security does not offer online name changes. You must submit Form SS-5 by mail or in person at a local office. You can create a my Social Security account online to view your earnings record and other information, but you cannot change your name through that account.