How To Change Your Name On Your Social Security Card
Learn how to update your name with the SSA.
Once youve changed your nameeither by , divorce, or the legal name change processyour first step should be to contact the Social Security Administration to update your Social Security card.
With an updated Social Security card, it will be easier to change your name on other important documents.
In fact, to update your drivers license, youll first need to change your name on your Social Security card.
To help ensure you know everything you need to take this critical step in changing your name, this page will cover all the requirements and procedures you need to understand to update your Social Security card.
Name Change Is A Big Life Event
A legal name change is a major life event and requires considerable effort. If you are dedicated, however, you will find using a checklist and taking each necessary step will lead to success.
Changing your name legally isnt a quick and easy processespecially if it is for reasons other than marriage. If you have a criminal record, its even more work so before deciding to change your name in Connecticut, you should decide if you are willing to go extra the mile.
Its important to also change your credit cards, library card, and other ID you use on a regular basis. Each name change has to be done separately with the appropriate issuing agency.
Finalizing a completed name change takes effort but if you fail to notify government agencies, youll soon find yourself running into practical and, potentially, legal problems. Any time you change jobs or conduct business requiring your drivers license, birth certificate, or other government issued document, youll be unable to prove who you are. Take the process seriously, and break it down into small steps.
Can You Apply For A Social Security Card Online
In rare cases, yes, but not in the case of a name change. If youre not requesting a Social Security name change and you are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older, with a U.S. mailing address, and you have a current drivers license or state-issued identification card from certain states, you may apply online.
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Who Needs To Be Notified After A Name Change
Your final step, after changing your name, will be to notify government agencies, businesses, family, and friends of your new name.
Here is a list of the institutions you will need to reach out to, in order to communicate your legal name change:
- Department of Records or Vital Statistics
- Social Security Administration
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Banks and Other Financial Institutions
- Post office
- State Taxing Authority
Social Security Name Change Checklist
- Certificate of Naturalization with your new name
With these three proofs in hand, now its time to fill out your application.
2. Complete Form SS-5
No bureaucratic process would be complete without paperwork!
Form SS-5 is an application for a social security card.
Because you changed your name, you will need to apply for a new social security card.
You can download it online here.
Print out Form SS-5, fill it out, and sign it in your new name.
3. Mail your application in or take it to your local Social Security office
The last step to your social security name change is to submit your application.
Start by finding theclosest SSA office.
The nearest SSA office will appear.
You then have two choices. You can mail your application and documents to this SSA office, or you can visit in person.
We suggest that you visit in person if you can. That way, you dont have to mail in sensitive documents you may need before they return in the mail.
Youll also receive a receipt listing the details of your name changewhich means you can proceed to the next steps of your name change process that much sooner.
You will receive your new SSA card in the mail in approximately 10-14 business days, along with your documents if you mailed them in.
Your Social Security number will not change.
As an added bonus, the SSA will also notify the Internal Revenue Service about your name change. One less thing to worry about when tax season rolls around!
4. Be patient
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Need To Change Names With Other Companies
Chances are you need to inform a large number of other companies of your new name. We provide ready to send name change forms, letters emails and faxes together with detailed filing instructions for over 1,000 US organizations. No need to call each one to check procedures or search for forms. And if you’re not happy for any reason, we’ll fully refund your money.
Considering Changing Names?
File Your Court Case On The Internet
If you are representing yourself in court, you can now create and file many court forms using the EFileTexas Self Help website, This website can help you prepare legal documents. Like popular tax preparation software, you will be guided through a series of questions. Your answers will help automatically prepare and file your court forms online.
Get started at and watch their introduction video.
Use EFileTexas Self Help to file court for:
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Why You Might Not Want To Replace The Card
According to the Social Security Administration , it is far more important that you simply know your Social Security number than it is to actually carry your card with you.While you may need to know your Social Security number for filling out various applications, you are rarely required to actually show anyone your Social Security card. You do not even need your card when applying for Social Security benefits. In fact, if you carry your card with you, the more likely it is to be lost or stolen, greatly increasing your risk of becoming an identity theft victim.
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Replacement Card For A Foreign Born U S Citizen Adult
You can replace your Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you may not need to get a replacement card. Knowing your Social Security number is what’s important. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes do not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.
Important
You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current . We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
You may be able to request your replacement Social Security card online. Our online service is a fast and secure way to get a replacement. If you are age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address and have amySocial Security account, you can apply for a replacement card online. For more information about creating my Social Security account and getting a replacement card online, visit our Social Security Number and Card website.
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Can You Legally Change Your Name To Anything You Want
Individuals who dislike their birth name may legally change it to another name they are more comfortable with, following a few common sense considerations and exceptions:
By Step Process To Change Your Name
The process of legally changing your name generally entails the following steps, although these may vary slightly depending on your state of residence:
Requirements to change your name legally:
- Supporting evidence to prove your current legal name, such as your Social Security card, current valid birth certificate, and driver’s license or other form of valid photo identification.
- Your states form for a petition to legally change your name
- A court order to show cause for legally changing your name, and a decree to legally change your name, if applicable
- An affidavit declaring you are not a convicted felon or currently have any outstanding warrants. Sign the form in the presence of a notary public so that they verify your identity and witness your signature
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How To Request A Social Security Card With A Different Name
The steps to update your card after a name change are similar to those for applying for a card in the first place. Youll need to fill out the Social Security Administrations Form SS-5: Application for a Social Security Card and gather supporting documents to prove your age, identity, and citizenship status.
Form SS-5 is a one-page form with 18 items. Most of these items should be easy for you to complete. This form can be printed and filled out by hand or filled out on a PDF form and then printed.
Are Social Security Offices Open
Effective March 17, 2020, because of Coronavirus, all 1,300+ local Social Security Administration offices are closed to the public until further notice.
They don’t allow walk-ins. Appointments are available for special cases. This is to protect people with underlying medical conditions and older age groups.
If you phone any local SSA field office, their prerecorded message explains the rationale behind their closures.
The Social Security Administration is taking steps to protect the public and our employees during the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. Until further notice, offices are open to provide limited, dire need, in person services by appointment only. We will continue offering services by phone and online.
Pre-recorded message transcription on closing field offices.
Update: Office closures are still in effect in August 2021. We’ll update this page when the status changes or face-to-face services get reinstated.
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What Is The Publication Step
A notice of your request to change your name must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where you live. This gives other people a chance to object to your name change. Complete a Notice of Publication for an or for a . Check with the circuit court clerk for details. In some jurisdictions, you are responsible for making publication arrangements. In other circuit courts, the clerk arranges publication. After the notice has been published, attach a copy to the and submit it to the court. If the clerk arranged publication for you, then you may skip this step.
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What Document Do I Need To Change Names With The Ssa After Divorce
The best document to use is a court order that restores your former name. Applicants can complete the SS5 – Application for a Social Security Card form to request a card issued in their new name.
If you did not request an order restoring your former name or are not yet divorced you should request a name correction. The process is exactly the same but may be lesser known by SSA staff. Complete the SS5 application for a Social Security Card form. The SSA allow a name correction where you have a subsequent name change following a relationship event such as marriage, civil union or domestic partnership.
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How Do I Change The Name On My Social Security Card
There are a couple of ways you can perform a Social Security card name change. The easiest is by making the request online through your My Social Security account. Depending on the state you live in, you might be unable to complete the request online. If you cannot, then you will need to mail in the application for name change with the required documentation or visit your local Social Security office.
How Do I Apply For Disability Benefits
If you need to apply for disability benefits, you have a few options. You can apply online, over the phone, or at your local office. The online application is the quickest and easiest way, but the other methods are available should you need them. Should you need to apply over the phone, simply call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 .
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How Do I Apply For A Temporary Social Security Card
Requesting a replacement card online is the fastest way to get your new card however, if you need a temporary Social Security card, then you will need to head down to your local SSA office. While they will not technically issue a temporary card, they will give you a receipt showing that your new card has been requested. This receipt can act as a sort of temporary card in some cases.
How Can I Check My Social Security Benefits
The easiest way to check your benefits is by logging into your My Social Security account online through www.SSA.gov. Once you get logged into your account, you can view benefit statements, benefit estimates, earnings history, and the status of any pending applications. That site should be your go-to for any information related to your Social Security account.
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Social Security Name Change
Did you recently get married or divorced and need to change the name on your Social Security card? Well, youve come to the right place.
The name change process can be a pain, especially without proper guidance. It all starts with your Social Security name change.
This guide outlines the right way to change or correct your name on your social security card. Lets get started!
Overview
The first thing you need to do after your legal name change is to update your name with the Social Security Administration .
The SSA is the United States issuing agency for Social Security cards.
Your updated Social Security card is the gateway to your name change process.
Every federal and state entity links your identity to your SSA record, so you need to update it to get a new drivers license and passport, and any other form of photo ID.
Updating your social security card is a fairly straightforward procedure, and the new card can take as few as ten days to arrive in the mail. However, you cannot apply online, so you must visit your local SSA office in person or mail in an application.
If the very thought of going to a government office is making you reconsider your name change, follow this guide to navigate you through the process and reduce the stress.
Get Ssa Benefits While Living Overseas
U.S. citizens can travel to or live in most, but not all, foreign countries and still receive their Social Security benefits. You can find out if you can receive benefits overseas by using the Social Security Administrations payment verification tool. Once you access the tool, pick the country youre visiting or living in from the drop-down menu options.
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Choose The Option That Best Fits Your Situation:
| File a name change petitionFiling a Petition for a Change of Name is the most common process and results in a court order. This section will walk you through the steps. | |
| Divorced or getting divorcedIf you want to change your name back to your maiden name or a prior married name, select this process. | |
| Changing an Adult’s Name to Conform to Gender IdentityIf you want to change your name to make it match your gender identity, select this process. | |
| Recognition of gender changeIf you want to legally change your gender , proceed with this option. | |
| Getting marriedIf you recently got married and want to change your last name to your spouse’s last name, you may not have to go to court. Contact both your local DMV office and your social security office, and ask them whether you can change the name on your driver’s license and social security card simply by showing your marriage license or certificate. Note that it is possible they will tell you to get a court order, so be prepared for that. |
Note: In California, you generally have the legal right to change your name simply by using a new name in all aspects of your life, also known as the “usage method.” BUT, with few exceptions, government agencies require a court order as official proof of a name change so getting a court order is the best way to make sure you legally change your name.
If For Any Reason You Cannot Produce These Documents You May Use:
- Health Insurance Card other than Medicare
- Employee I.D.
- School I.D.
You must have at least one document with a current photo.If you changed your name over two years ago or the documents, you provide do not identify you well enough you will also have to show documentation of your name prior to the change.
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