Bring your current ID, birth certificate, and court order

The Social Security Administration requires three core documents to process a name change: a government-issued photo ID showing your current name, your original or certified birth certificate, and the court order or legal document that authorizes the name change. You do not need all three on the same day — Social Security will accept them in stages — but you cannot complete the process without providing each one.

Bring the originals or certified copies, not photocopies. Social Security staff will examine them to verify they are authentic. If you do not have a certified copy of your birth certificate, you can order one from the vital records office in the state where you were born; this typically takes one to three weeks and costs between $15 and $30 depending on the state.

If you are changing your name through marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the document that proves the change is legal. A marriage certificate counts as a court order for name-change purposes. A divorce decree that shows your new name also works. If you obtained a name change through a court petition, bring the signed order from the judge.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring a government photo ID in your current name, your birth certificate, and the legal document authorizing the change — originals or certified copies, not photocopies.
  • A marriage certificate or divorce decree can serve as the legal document if the name change flows from either one; a court order is required for all other name changes.
  • You can submit documents in stages; Social Security does not require all three at once, but the process will not move forward until all three are on file.
  • If you do not have a certified birth certificate, order one from your state's vital records office before your appointment; the wait is usually one to three weeks.
  • Bring your Social Security card if you have it, though it is not required — the office will issue a new one with your updated name.

What counts as government-issued photo ID

Social Security accepts a driver's license, state ID card, passport, military ID, or tribal ID. The ID must show your photograph and your current legal name — the name you are using right now, before the change takes effect. If your ID has expired, it still counts; Social Security does not require a current ID, only one that shows your face and your present name.

If you do not have any photo ID, bring two documents that together prove your identity and current name. These can include a utility bill, bank statement, lease, or insurance policy in your name, plus a school or work ID without a photo. Ask the Social Security office which combinations they will accept before your visit, since rules can vary by location.

Birth certificate requirements

Bring your original birth certificate or a certified copy issued by the vital records office in the state where you were born. Social Security will not accept a photocopy, even if it is notarized. If you have lost your original, order a certified copy directly from the state — do not ask a hospital or doctor's office for a copy, as those are not certified by the state and Social Security will reject them.

If you were born outside the United States, bring your original birth certificate or a certified copy from the country of birth, along with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services document proving you are a U.S. citizen or national. This can be a naturalization certificate, passport, or green card. If your foreign birth certificate is not in English, bring a certified English translation along with the original.

Legal documents that prove the name change

The document you bring depends on why you are changing your name. If you married, bring the marriage certificate. If you divorced and the decree shows your new name, bring the divorce decree. If you obtained a court order specifically for a name change, bring the signed order from the judge. If you are changing your name through a gender marker change, bring the court order that authorizes both the name and gender marker change.

The document must be an original or certified copy. Social Security will not accept a photocopy or a document that has been altered. If the court order or certificate is not in English, bring a certified English translation along with the original. Some states issue certified translations; if yours does not, you can hire a certified translator to produce one, though this usually costs $50 to $150.

If you are in the process of obtaining a court order but do not yet have the signed document, you can visit the Social Security office with the documents you do have and ask whether you can return with the court order later. Some offices will hold your file open while you wait for the court to issue the order.

Documents to bring if you have a Social Security card

Bring your current Social Security card if you have it. It is not required — Social Security can look up your number in their system — but bringing it speeds up the process. The office will take your old card and issue a new one with your updated name within one to two weeks.

If you have lost your card, tell the office staff when you arrive. They can still process your name change and issue a replacement card at the same time. There is no fee for a replacement card.

What to do before your appointment

Call your local Social Security office or visit ssa.gov to find the office nearest you and check their current hours. Some offices require an appointment; others take walk-ins. If an appointment is required, you can book one online or by phone. Bring all documents with you in a folder or envelope so they do not get separated.

If you are missing any of the three core documents, contact the office before your visit to ask whether you can come in with what you have and submit the rest later. Some offices will start the process with two documents and wait for the third; others require all three before they will begin. Knowing this in advance saves a wasted trip.

If you have a representative or power of attorney who will go with you, bring a notarized power of attorney document. Social Security will not process a name change on behalf of someone else without legal authorization.

What happens after you submit your documents

Social Security staff will review your documents on the spot to make sure they are complete and authentic. If everything is in order, they will take the originals or certified copies and give you a receipt. Your name change will be processed within one to two weeks, and your new Social Security card will arrive by mail.

If Social Security finds a problem — for example, if your birth certificate does not match the name on your ID — they will tell you what needs to be corrected and ask you to return with updated documents. This can add one to three weeks to the process, so bringing certified copies and originals the first time prevents delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name at the Social Security office without a court order?

No. Social Security requires legal proof of the name change. A marriage certificate or divorce decree counts as legal proof. If you are changing your name for any other reason, you must obtain a court order from a judge first. You cannot change your name at Social Security without one of these documents.

Do I need to bring my children's birth certificates if I am changing my name?

No. Social Security only needs documents that prove your identity and your name change. Your children's documents are not required. If your children also need name changes, they will need to visit the office separately with their own documents, or you can bring their documents to a second appointment.

What if my birth certificate shows a different name than the one on my ID?

Tell the Social Security office staff when you arrive. This happens when someone has already changed their name once and the documents do not match. Bring all documents that show the chain of name changes — for example, your original birth certificate, a marriage certificate, and a divorce decree. Social Security will review the full history and process the change if the documents support it.

Can I mail my documents to Social Security instead of going in person?

Most Social Security offices require you to appear in person for a name change so staff can verify your identity and examine your documents. Some offices may accept mailed documents in specific situations; call your local office to ask. If they do accept mail, send certified copies only, never originals, and use certified mail with a return receipt so you have proof of delivery.

How long does it take to get a new Social Security card after a name change?

Your new card usually arrives by mail within one to two weeks. Social Security will give you a receipt showing your new name and number when you leave the office. You can use this receipt as proof of your name change while you wait for the card to arrive.