In order to change your name on your social security card, there are three steps which you will need to follow.
Required Documents
There are several forms of legal documents which can be used to complete the social security name change process.
- You will need a legal name change document, which can be one of the following:
- Marriage license/document
- Divorce decree
- Certificate of Naturalization which shows your new name
- Court ordered name change
- Identification Card or other documentation showing your identity. A document your identity could be:
- U.S. driver's license
- State-issued identification card
- U.S. issued passport
- Employer, school, U.S. military ID, or health insurance cards may be accepted in place of any of the above forms of identification.
- U.S. citizenship certificate or documentation showing permission to work in the United States including permission papers from the Department of Homeland Security.
Social Security Card Application
As part of your social security card name change, you will need to fill out the social security card application.
Submission of Application and Documentation
Once you have all the required documents and completed application, you must submit the package to your local Social Security office, either in person or through mail.
All the above documents must either be originals or copies certified by the agency which issued the document. Photocopies and notarized copies will not be accepted. Any document that you mail or submit to the Social Security office will be returned to you.
Once the paperwork has been verified and your documents have been returned to you along with a receipt, you can expect to receive your new social security card about ten days after the date stamped on the receipt. The social security number on the card will be unchanged, but it will have your new name.