Officially Change the Name on Your Social Security Card

To officially change your name on your Social Security card, you must provide legal proof of the name change to the government.

Acceptable documents include a certified marriage certificate, a finalized divorce decree, or a judge-signed court order. You must also prove your identity with an unexpired ID card and complete Form SS-5 to finalize the update.

To update your name, you must submit Form SS-5 along with your original or certified marriage certificate and a valid ID. The SSA will use these documents to verify your legal name change and update your record accordingly.

For a legal name change, you must provide an original or a government-certified copy of your official name change document, such as a state-issued marriage certificate.

Additionally, you must provide a separate, unexpired document that proves your identity. Commonly accepted identity documents include a valid U.S. driver's license, a state-issued ID card, or an unexpired U.S. passport.

No. The SSA requires original documents or certified copies issued by the appropriate authority. Photocopies, scanned documents, or notarized copies are not accepted. Submitting the wrong types of documentation can delay your application.

You can apply once your marriage or court order is finalized, but it’s usually recommended to wait about 30 days. This allows state and local records to update, which helps avoid mismatches during the verification process.

To process a name change, you must complete Form SS-5, the standard application for a Social Security Card. This is the exact same federal form used to request first-time cards and lost replacements.

You must carefully fill it out using your new legal name and submit it along with your original legal name change documents and proof of identity.

Many SSA offices recommend or require scheduling an appointment in advance. This can help reduce wait times during your visit.

No, your Social Security number doesn’t change when you legally change your name. If you need to update your personal details due to marriage or a court order, the Social Security Administration will update their internal records and issue you a new physical card displaying your new legal name.

However, your unique, nine-digit Social Security Number will remain exactly the same for your entire life.

It typically takes between 10 and 14 business days to get a new Social Security card with an updated name. Once the SSA receives your completed Form SS-5 application and successfully verifies your original legal name change documents, processing begins.

Once the new document is printed, it’s sent in the mail to your registered address. Delivery time can add to the wait time.

Currently, the federal government requires a mail-in or in-person application to process a legal name change on your Social Security card. This is because agents must physically verify the authenticity of your legal documents.

To process your name change, you must mail your original marriage certificate or court order, along with your completed Form SS-5, directly to your local SSA office, or bring them in person.

Yes, most state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV) require you to update your name with the federal Social Security Administration first.

You should wait at least 48 to 72 hours after the SSA successfully processes your name change before visiting the local DMV, as this allows their interconnected electronic verification systems enough time to sync and update.