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How do I Make a Social Security Card Name Change?

M.R. Anglin
M.R. Anglin

In cases of marriage, divorce, or other circumstances involving a legal name change, a person will need to make a Social Security card name change. Changing the name on a Social Security card can help to ensure that work earnings are properly reported and tax returns are paid in a timely manner. In order to make a Social Security card name change, a person should fill out the appropriate application, which can be obtained online or from a local Social Security office. Changing the name on a Social Security card will not change the person's Social Security number, but only the name under which that number appears.

Along with the application, the person making a social security card name change may also need to provide officials with the proper identification, as well as proof of citizenship or immigration status. If the Social Security office does not have a record of an applicant’s citizenship, he should provide documentation proving that fact. If the applicant is not a citizen, the office may require proof of immigration status. An example of proper documentation include a naturalization certificate. For those who are not citizens, the office may require documents such as a foreign passport and immigration documents.

Proper identification will be required to make a social security name change.
Proper identification will be required to make a social security name change.

A person may also need to establish his identity and the fact that his name has changed in order to make a Social Security card name change. To do this, he usually has to provide a document that proves that his name has changed. For example, a woman may be able use a marriage certificate. In cases where the document is more than two years old — four years for children — or where documents do not completely establish identity, another form of identification may be required. All documents used to establish identity, name change, or immigration status should be originals or official copies authorized by the person in charge of keeping the original document.

Traditionally, women changed their last name, or surname, after marriage to be the same as the man’s name and this is still quite common in many countries.
Traditionally, women changed their last name, or surname, after marriage to be the same as the man’s name and this is still quite common in many countries.

In many cases, applications and detailed instructions for which documents are necessary can be found online and printed out at home, and then mailed or taken in person to the local Social Security office. The address, telephone number, and hours of operation for local social security offices also can be found online or in a telephone book. In some areas, including Brooklyn, N.Y.; Queens, N.Y.; Orlando, Fla.; Sacramento County, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz. (Maricopa County and Apache Junction Area); Las Vegas, Nev.; or Greater Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minn., the application and documents must be mailed to or taken in person to a Social Security Card Center, rather than Social Security office.

Discussion Comments

anon1003196

I petitioned for an updated card after I remarried and it was approved but the card that was returned had the name misspelled. How do I get this fixed?

Lostnfound

Getting your name back from a divorce can be a major headache. My cousin got divorced and it seems like there was nothing in the divorce decree that said she got her name back. How dumb is that? She finally had to go to the office with a copy of her birth certificate and her divorce decree to get them to change her name. She may even have gotten a judge's order saying she could have her name back.

That makes zero sense to me, but I know she had to jump through a bunch of hoops to get her name changed on her Social Security card.

Grivusangel

Seems like when I got my name changed when I married, I went to the Social Security office with my marriage license and old card, and filled out a form. I think I got my new card in something like three weeks or so. Have no idea where it is now, though. That's been a while. I could probably stand to get another one.

I don't remember it being a huge hassle to get my name changed, though. I think it's all in getting the right paperwork together when you do make the change. Go prepared with any piece of paper you might possibly need.

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    • Proper identification will be required to make a social security name change.
      By: JohnKwan
      Proper identification will be required to make a social security name change.
    • Traditionally, women changed their last name, or surname, after marriage to be the same as the man’s name and this is still quite common in many countries.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Traditionally, women changed their last name, or surname, after marriage to be the same as the man’s name and this is still quite common in many countries.
    • A woman may need to change the name on their social security card following a divorce.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      A woman may need to change the name on their social security card following a divorce.
    • Name change application documents must be mailed before a Social Security card can be changed.
      By: petert2
      Name change application documents must be mailed before a Social Security card can be changed.
    • If a man wishes to adopt his wife’s last name, he may encounter more legal complications.
      By: Sheri Armstrong
      If a man wishes to adopt his wife’s last name, he may encounter more legal complications.