If you are recently married or divorced, you might be in the process of getting your name changed on essential accounts and documents. You must also get a new Social Security card with your new name. Although you don’t often need to present your Social Security card for identification purposes, it must show the correct name when required.
Performing a name change with the Social Security Administration is straightforward, but you must ensure you have the proper documents. You must complete the application and show the SSA documentation showing your name change. Keep reading as we tell you exactly how to change a name with Social Security.
How To Change Your Name On Your Social Security Card
Changing your name on your Social Security card is straightforward, but you must follow the proper process. If you miss documents or attempt to do things incorrectly, getting a new card can be much more difficult. Here are the steps you should take to get your name changed on your Social Security card quickly.
1. Gather The Required Documents
To change your name on your Social Security card, you must prove your name change and identity to the Social Security Administration. To verify your name change, you can use one of the following documents:
- Marriage document
- Divorce decree
- Court order of name change
- Certificate of naturalization showing your new name
In addition to proving your name change, you must also confirm your identity. This is typically done with one of the following documents:
- U.S. driver’s license
- State-issued non-driver’s identification card
- U.S. Passport
Some people may not have any of the three documents shown above. In that case, the Social Security Administration may accept other documents as proof of identity. However, the document needs to be current, show your name and identifying information, and preferably show a recent picture. Some examples of ID cards that may be used are as follows:
- Health insurance card (not a Medicare card)
- School identification card
- Military identification card
- Employee identification card
Since you are simply changing the name on your card, you should already have a prior Social Security card. This means that the Social Security Administration should already have a record of your citizenship status. However, if they do not, you might be required to prove you are a U.S. citizen. Proof of U.S. citizenship can be established by showing one of the following documents:
- U.S. birth certificate
- U.S. Passport
- Certificate of citizenship
- Certificate of naturalization
- U.S. Consular report of birth abroad
The final thing you must know is that you must present original documents. Photocopies or notarized copies will not be accepted. However, a certified copy certified by the issuing agency may sometimes be used.
2. Complete Form SS-5
Now that you have found all the necessary documents, you must complete Social Security Form SS-5. This form is an application for a new or replacement card and requires personal information, such as your birth name, new name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and parents’ names.
You may print the Social Security name change application, complete it by hand or online, and print a copy filled out with your provided information. Once your application is ready, it’s time to get it to the Social Security office.
3. Mail Application or Submit In Person
You can mail your application or submit it in person at your local Social Security office. Remember that copies of documents are not accepted, so you must mail your original documents when sending your application. Although the Social Security Administration will return the documents to you, they could get lost in the mail. For this reason, most people choose to visit their local office in person.
You must present your application and documentation to the Social Security representative upon arrival. They will process your application, and you should usually receive your new card in the mail within 14 days. They can even provide a letter showing that your new card has been requested. This letter can sometimes serve as a temporary Social Security card replacement.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Social Security name changes must be made in person or by mail. You cannot request a name change online.
- To apply for a name change, you must have documentation that proves your new name and confirms your identity.
- There is no fee to change your name on your Social Security card, and your SSN will remain the same after the name change.
Cost Of A Social Security Name Change
The great news about a Social Security name change is that it is free! There is no charge to get your name changed on your Social Security card. You can submit your application and receive your new card without paying fees. Not only that, but a name change also does not count toward your replacement card limit.
Remember that you are limited to three Social Security card replacements per year and only ten during your lifetime. However, getting your name changed does not count toward this limit. A name change is not counted as a typical Social Security card replacement since information on the card needs to be changed. The limits usually only apply to replacing a lost or stolen Social Security card.
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Does A Name Change Affect Your Social Security Number?
Changing your name on your Social Security card will not affect your Social Security number. Your SSN will not change. Even though your name might change multiple times throughout your lifetime, your Social Security number will remain the same for life.
A name change does not qualify as one of the minimal circumstances under which you may be issued a new Social Security number. You must prove that you have been the victim of identity theft to get a new Social Security number. On top of that, you must prove that the ID theft is so bad that your financial and credit records can never be recovered without a new Social Security number.
This allows you to restart your credit file and erase all the fraud on your old number. The Social Security Administration will only issue a new SSN in severe ID theft cases. You can visit the identity theft website to learn more about this process.
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After changing your name on your Social Security card, don’t forget to change the name with the DMV and on your other financial documents and accounts.
Other Documents To Update After A Name Change
In addition to your Social Security card, there are several other identity documents you likely need to update. You will need to update your driver’s license with your state DMV. If you don’t have a license, you might have a non-driver’s ID card that you need to update. Not only do you need to update identity documents, but you probably have financial documents that need to be updated.
You should go ahead and get your name changed on your bank accounts and credit card accounts. You will also need to notify your mortgage company, utility companies, and any other companies with whom you have a regular account. Each company may have different requirements for documentation of your name change, so you will need to reach out to each one individually to perform a name change with each. Getting all your accounts updated promptly is vital to keeping them up-to-date if any issues arise.
The Bottom Line
Changing your name on your Social Security card is a painless process, and you will typically receive your new card within a couple of weeks.
Notifying the Social Security Administration will also update your Social Security record for benefits. Gather the required documents, complete the application, and head to your local SSA office. They will process your application, and your new card will arrive soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, you cannot perform a Social Security name change online at this time. You must present your application in person or mail it to the Social Security Administration.
While you can request a replacement Social Security card online, you cannot change your name. Online requests can only be processed when no information on your card changes.
Once the Social Security Administration has received your application, you should usually receive your new card within 14 days. Changing your name is not a lengthy process.
If you submit your application in person, you can even get a letter showing a new card in your new name has been requested. In some situations, this can effectively act as a same-day Social Security card replacement.
Once you receive your new card, it is safe to assume that all your Social Security records have also been updated.
No, your Social Security number does not change when you change your name. Most people will keep the same Social Security number for their entire life. The Social Security Administration will not typically issue a new Social Security number once you have been assigned one.
However, in severe cases of ID theft, you might be able to get a new SSN. If the theft is so bad that your credit record cannot be repaired, SSA will issue you a new SSN. However, this is limited to the most severe cases.
You must keep your Social Security record up-to-date. After a legal name change, you must notify Social Security of your new name. Failure to do so could affect your earnings record or benefit payments.
You must also ensure your Social Security card reflects your new name. If you need your card for identification purposes, a card with your old name might not suffice. This could put you in a bad situation if you need the card immediately. Remember that Social Security cards do not expire and are valid for life. However, they should be kept up-to-date with your current identifying information.
You can find a Social Security Administration office near you by using our SSA office locator and searching for your closest location.
