If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security so that you can get a corrected card.  If you are working, also tell your employer.  If you do not tell Social Security when your name changes, it may cause the following problems:

• Delay your tax refund
• Prevent Social Security from posting your wages correctly to your Social Security record. This may lower the amount of your future Social Security benefits.
  

To change your name on your Social Security card you must complete an "Application for a Social Security Card" (Form SS-5) http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

You can submit your completed application by mail or in person at your local Social Security office your local Social Security office.  If you apply by mail, you must mail original documents.  Social Security will return the documents to you.

When you submit your completed application, you must show Social Security proof of the following:

• U.S. citizenship (if you have not previously established your citizenship with Social Security)
• Legal name change
• Identity

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.  Social Security cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.  They also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

What will Social Security Accept as Proof of Citizenship?

If you have not already established your U.S. citizenship with Social Security, they need to see proof of U.S. citizenship.  Documents Social Security may accept to prove your U.S. citizenship include:

• U.S. birth certificate or
• U.S. passport

What will Social Security Accept as Proof of Your Name Change?

If you need to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show Social Security a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change.  Documents Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:

• Marriage document;
• Divorce decree; or
• Court order for a name change. 
  

If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give enough information to identify you in Social Security records or if you legally changed your name more than two years ago, you must provide Social Security with additional documentation of your identity. 

Marriage, divorce or annulment:
In addition to showing Social Security a legal document proving your marriage, divorce or annulment, you must provide an identity document.  That document must show your old name. Social Security can accept an expired document as evidence of your old name.)

Other name change:
In addition to showing Social Security a legal document citing your new name, such as a court order, you must provide them with two identity documents, including:

One identity document in your old name (which can be expired); and
One identity document in your new legal name, which must be current (unexpired). 
Both of these documents must show identifying information or a recent photograph.

What will Social Security Accept as Proof of Your Identity?

Documents Social Security may accept to prove your identity include:

• U.S. driver's license;
• State-issued no driver identification card; or
• U.S. passport

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, Social Security will ask to see other documents, including:

• Employee ID card;
• School ID card;
• Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
• U.S. military ID card

Your new card will have the same number as your previous card, but will show your new name.  Social Security will mail your card as soon as they have all of your information and have verified your documents. 

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place.  It is an important document.  Do not carry it with you.