Bring your current Social Security card and proof of citizenship

You need two things before you walk into a Social Security office to change your name: your current Social Security card and a document that proves you are a U.S. citizen. The card itself does not prove citizenship, so you cannot use it alone. Bring your birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate instead.

If your birth certificate is from the United States, that is your strongest proof of citizenship. If you were naturalized, bring the naturalization certificate or a valid U.S. passport. A passport counts as both citizenship proof and photo ID, so it covers two requirements at once.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring your current Social Security card, a document proving U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate), and a photo ID issued by a government agency.
  • You need the legal document that changed your name — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or adoption papers — depending on why your name changed.
  • If you cannot find your original birth certificate, you can bring a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born.
  • The Social Security office will not accept expired photo IDs, so check your driver's license or passport expiration date before you go.
  • Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies, because the office staff must see the actual documents to verify them.

Bring the legal document that proves your name changed

Social Security will not change your name based on your word alone. You must bring the official document that caused the name change. What that document is depends on why your name changed.

If you married, bring your marriage certificate. If you divorced, bring the divorce decree or the final judgment that shows your new name. If a court ordered the name change, bring the court order itself. If you were adopted, bring the adoption decree. These documents must be originals or certified copies — photocopies will not work, because the staff member needs to see the real document to verify it is genuine.

If your marriage certificate or divorce decree is old and you do not have the original, you can request a certified copy from the county clerk's office where the marriage or divorce was recorded. This usually costs between five and twenty dollars and takes one to two weeks by mail. Some counties offer in-person pickup the same day.

Bring a government-issued photo ID

You must show a photo ID issued by a U.S. government agency. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. Military ID, tribal ID, or a federal employee ID also count. The ID must not be expired — Social Security staff will not accept an expired license, even if you have a renewal notice.

If you do not have a current photo ID, you will need to get one before you go to the Social Security office. A state ID card from your Department of Motor Vehicles is usually the fastest option and takes one to two weeks. Some states offer expedited service for a higher fee.

Bring proof of your current address if your ID does not show it

Social Security wants to know where you live now. If your photo ID shows your current address, you are done. If it does not — because you moved since you renewed your license, for example — bring a document that shows your name and current address.

A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. The document must be recent, usually from the last two months. A cell phone bill counts if it shows your name and address. A letter from your employer with your address also works. Bring the original or a copy — Social Security does not need a certified copy for address proof.

What to do if you cannot find your birth certificate

If you were born in the United States and cannot find your birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born. You can find the office online by searching "[your state] vital records" or by calling the state health department. Request a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Most states charge ten to thirty dollars for a certified copy and mail it within one to three weeks. Some offer rush service for an extra fee. Once you have the certified copy, it works exactly like the original for Social Security purposes. Bring it to the office along with your other documents.

What to do if you were born outside the United States

If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or naturalization certificate as proof of citizenship. If you have a foreign birth certificate, bring it along with a certified English translation. You can hire a professional translator or use an online translation service, but Social Security may ask you to have it certified by a notary public.

If you do not have a passport or naturalization certificate, contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office to request proof of your citizenship status. This takes longer than other routes, so plan ahead if this is your situation.

Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies

Social Security staff must see the actual documents to verify they are real. Photocopies, even clear ones, will not work. Bring originals whenever possible. If you cannot bring the original — because it is in a safe deposit box or you are worried about losing it — bring a certified copy instead.

A certified copy is a photocopy that has been stamped and signed by the government office that issued the original. County clerks, vital records offices, and court clerks can all provide certified copies. They usually cost five to fifteen dollars per copy. The certified stamp proves the copy matches the original, so Social Security will accept it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send my documents by mail instead of going in person?

No. Social Security requires you to appear in person at an office to change your name. The staff member must see your original documents and verify your identity before they process the change. You cannot complete this by mail or online.

What if I lost my Social Security card?

Bring a document that shows your Social Security number instead — a tax return, W-2, or bank statement. The office can look up your account using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. You will receive a new card with your new name after the change is processed.

Do I need to bring my marriage license or just the marriage certificate?

Bring the marriage certificate, which is the official document issued by the county clerk after the wedding. A marriage license is what you get before the wedding; it is not the same thing. If you only have the license, contact the county clerk's office where you were married and request a certified copy of the marriage certificate.

How long does it take to change my name at Social Security?

The office usually processes the change on the day you visit. You will receive your new Social Security card in the mail within one to two weeks. In the meantime, you can ask the staff member for a letter confirming the name change, which you can use with banks and employers while you wait for the card.

What if my name change document is from another country?

Bring the original document along with a certified English translation. You can hire a professional translator or use an online service. Some Social Security offices require the translation to be notarized, so call your local office before you go to confirm what they need.