What you need to do to update your Social Security card
To change your name on your Social Security card, you need to 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, show your documents, and receive a receipt. The new card arrives by mail within two to four weeks.
The process is straightforward if you have the right documents. The hardest part for most people is gathering proof that your name change is legal — a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree — because Social Security requires the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Social Security office in person; there is no online or mail option for name changes.
- Bring Form SS-5, a legal document proving your name change (court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree), and a photo ID.
- Social Security accepts original documents or certified copies from the court or vital records office, not photocopies.
- Your new card arrives by mail in two to four weeks, and you receive a receipt at the office showing your process was submitted.
Documents you must bring to the Social Security office
Social Security requires three categories of documents: proof of your legal name change, proof of identity, and proof of citizenship or lawful residency. You do not need to bring all three types of citizenship proof — one is enough.
Proof of legal name change: This is the document that shows Social Security your name actually changed. Bring the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order for name change, or adoption decree. A photocopy will not be accepted. If you were married outside the United States, bring the original or certified copy of your marriage certificate plus a certified English translation if it is in another language.
Proof of identity: Bring a current, unexpired photo ID. Social Security accepts a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. If you do not have a photo ID, you can bring two documents that show your name and date of birth, such as a birth certificate and a utility bill.
Proof of citizenship or lawful residency: Bring one of the following: a U.S. birth certificate, a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or a Permanent Resident Card (green card). If you were born outside the United States and do not have these documents, bring a consular report of birth abroad or a passport from your country of origin with a visa or travel stamp showing you entered the U.S. legally.
How to find your local Social Security office and make an appointment
Visit ssa.gov and use the office locator tool to find the Social Security office nearest you. Enter your city and state or zip code, and the tool will show you the address, phone number, and hours. Some offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours; a few have limited hours or are closed on certain days.
You can walk in without an appointment, but wait times are often long — sometimes two to three hours. To avoid waiting, call the office phone number and ask if they take appointments. Many offices now use an online appointment system on ssa.gov where you can book a time slot. If you call, have your Social Security number ready.
If you cannot reach the office by phone or the appointment system is full, you can visit in person. Arrive early in the morning if possible, as wait times tend to be shorter before noon.
What happens when you visit the Social Security office
When you arrive, check in at the front desk and give them your documents. A staff member will review them to make sure everything is there and acceptable. If a document is missing or not certified, they will tell you at this point and you will need to come back with the correct version.
If your documents are in order, the staff member will give you Form SS-5 to fill out. The form asks for your current name, your new name, your date of birth, your Social Security number, and the reason for the change (marriage, divorce, court order, or other). You do not need to fill it out ahead of time — the office provides it and you can complete it there.
After you submit the form and your documents, you will receive a receipt showing your process was received. Keep this receipt. Your new card will be mailed to the address on file with Social Security, usually within two to four weeks. If you need to update your address at the same time, tell the staff member before you leave.
If your name change was through marriage or divorce
A marriage certificate or divorce decree is legal proof of a name change and is all Social Security needs. You do not have to go to court or file anything extra. Bring the original or a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were married or divorced.
If you were married outside the United States, the process is the same — bring the original or certified copy of your marriage certificate plus a certified English translation. If you do not have a certified translation, the vital records office in your state can often provide one, or you can hire a certified translator.
If you were divorced and want to change your name back to your maiden name or to a different name, bring the divorce decree. The decree should show your new legal name. If it does not, you may need a separate court order for the name change before Social Security will process it.
If your name change was through a court order
If you changed your name through a court petition (not marriage or divorce), bring the original or certified copy of the court order. This is the document the judge signed that legally changed your name. You can get a certified copy from the court clerk's office in the county where the order was issued.
The court order must show your old name, your new name, and the judge's signature and date. If the order is old and the ink has faded or the document is damaged, Social Security may ask for a certified copy from the court to confirm it is authentic. This is rare, but if it happens, contact the court clerk and request a certified copy.
What to do if you do not have a certified copy of your documents
If you have the original document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), bring it to your Social Security appointment. Social Security will accept the original.
If you do not have the original and need a certified copy, contact the office that issued the document. For a marriage certificate or divorce decree, contact the vital records office in the state where you were married or divorced. For a court order, contact the court clerk's office in the county where the order was issued. Both offices can mail you a certified copy, usually within one to two weeks, for a fee of $10 to $25.
Some vital records offices and court clerk offices now offer online ordering. Search "[your state] vital records" or "[your county] court clerk" to find the office website and see if you can order online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my Social Security card by mail?
No. Social Security requires you to visit an office in person with your original documents or certified copies. They do not process name changes by mail, phone, email, or online.
How long does it take to get a new Social Security card after I explore?
Your new card arrives by mail within two to four weeks. You will receive a receipt at the office showing the date you applied. If more than four weeks pass and you have not received your card, call your local Social Security office with your receipt number.
Do I need to change my name with other agencies after I change it on my Social Security card?
Yes. Your Social Security card is one document. You will also need to update your name with your state's driver's license or ID office, your employer, your bank, your insurance companies, and any other organizations that have your name on file. Social Security does not notify these agencies for you.
What if I lost my marriage certificate or divorce decree?
Contact the vital records office in the state where you were married or divorced and request a certified copy. You can usually order online or by mail. The office will mail you a certified copy within one to two weeks for a fee of $10 to $25.
Can someone else go to the Social Security office for me?
No. Social Security requires you to appear in person with your documents. You cannot send someone else or a representative on your behalf for a name change.