To change your name on your Social Security card, you need a completed Form SS-5 and three categories of documents: proof of your legal name change, proof of your identity, and proof of your U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status. Every document must be an original or a copy certified by the agency that issued it. The card itself is free, and your Social Security number does not change.
Proof of Your Legal Name Change
The SSA needs to see why your name changed and needs the document to show both your old and new name so it can link the change to your existing record. Acceptable documents include:1Social Security Administration. Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get a Social Security Card
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Court order granting a name change
- Certificate of Naturalization showing the new name
One wrinkle catches people off guard. If your name change happened more than two years ago (or more than four years ago for a child under 18), the SSA may ask for extra proof of identity in both your old and new names.2Social Security Administration. Application for a Social Security Card There’s no hard deadline for updating your card after a marriage or court order, but the longer you wait, the more paperwork you may need to gather.
Proof of Identity
You need a current, unexpired document that shows who you are. The SSA’s preferred options are a U.S. driver’s license, a state-issued non-driver ID card, or a U.S. passport.1Social Security Administration. Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get a Social Security Card
If you don’t have any of those and can’t get a replacement within 10 business days, the SSA will consider alternatives such as a U.S. military ID, an employee ID card, a school ID, a health insurance card (not a Medicare card), or a Medicaid card. These backup documents must be current and must show your name along with identifying details like your date of birth or a photograph.2Social Security Administration. Application for a Social Security Card
Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status
U.S. citizens can prove citizenship with any of the following:1Social Security Administration. Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get a Social Security Card
- U.S. birth certificate
- U.S. passport
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
One document can cover two requirements. A U.S. passport, for example, satisfies both the identity and citizenship categories.
Non-citizens need a current, unexpired immigration document from the Department of Homeland Security, such as a Permanent Resident Card (I-551), an Arrival/Departure Record (I-94) paired with an unexpired foreign passport, or an Employment Authorization Document (I-766).2Social Security Administration. Application for a Social Security Card
Rules That Apply to Every Document
Every document you submit must be an original or a copy certified by the agency that issued it. The SSA will not accept regular photocopies or notarized copies, no matter how official they look.1Social Security Administration. Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get a Social Security Card If your only certified marriage certificate is buried somewhere, order a new one from the vital records office in the county or state where you were married. Fees generally run between $10 and $35.
If any document is in a language other than English, the SSA handles translation internally. Submit the original foreign-language document (or a properly certified copy) and the SSA will arrange for a translator. You do not need to hire your own translator or bring a notarized translation.3Social Security Administration. Transmittal of Foreign-Language Documents for Translation
If You Are Changing a Child’s Name
A child’s name change follows the same process, but the adult filing on the child’s behalf must also prove their own identity and their authority to act for the child. That means bringing your own driver’s license or passport, plus a document showing you are the parent or legal guardian, such as a birth certificate listing you as a parent or a court-issued custody order. For young children who obviously don’t have a driver’s license, the SSA will accept medical records from a doctor, clinic, or hospital as proof of the child’s identity.2Social Security Administration. Application for a Social Security Card
Form SS-5 and How to Submit
Fill out Form SS-5, the Application for a Social Security Card. You can download it from the SSA website or pick one up at a local office.2Social Security Administration. Application for a Social Security Card The same form is used for originals, replacements, and corrections, so mark the right box. Write your new name exactly as it appears on your supporting documents.
Some applicants can start and complete the process online through a my Social Security account. The SSA’s website runs a short questionnaire to check whether you qualify; if not, it will direct you to schedule an in-person appointment.4Social Security Administration. Change Name with Social Security Otherwise, bring your completed form and originals to a local office (appointments are recommended over walk-ins at 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778) or mail them in.5Social Security Administration. Make or Change an Appointment The SSA returns original documents after processing.
Cost, Limits, and Timing
Changing your name on a Social Security card is free.6Social Security Administration. What Does It Cost to Get a Social Security Card Federal law caps replacement cards at three per calendar year and ten per lifetime, but cards issued to reflect a legal name change do not count against either limit.2Social Security Administration. Application for a Social Security Card
Once the SSA has everything it needs, expect your new card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. Mail-in applications currently take longer because of processing backlogs, and the SSA warns those may take two to four weeks.7Social Security Administration. How Long Will It Take to Get a Social Security Card Your Social Security number stays the same.
After Your New Card Arrives
A name mismatch between your tax return and your SSA record can delay your refund, because the IRS matches every return against SSA data.8Internal Revenue Service. Name Changes and Social Security Number Matching Issues Tell your employer as soon as the SSA record is updated so payroll and future W-2s match. If tax season arrives before your new card does, file under your old name to avoid the delay. Then update your state motor vehicle department, your bank, and any other institution that has your Social Security number on file.