Required Name Change Documents
Depending on the circumstances behind your name change, present the SSA with one of the following documents:
- Court order for a name change
- Certificate of Naturalization displaying your new name
If the SSA deems that the document does not provide sufficient enough proof, or if your name change occurred more than two years ago, additional proof of identity will be required.
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
Final Thoughts On Social Security Name Change
No matter what your reasons for changing your name are, the Social Security administration is available to help keep you on track. Maintaining proper documentation such as your Social Security card is the best way to ensure that you get the benefits you deserve and that your work credits are properly credited to your Social Security account.
Following the directions listed as well as providing legal, unexpired, original documents will ensure that your new Social Security card is processed quickly. If you prefer to hang on to your original documents for whatever reason, presenting them in person along with your application will remove the need for them to be out of your possession.
Keep in mind that the above instructions are only for those who are seeking to change the name on their current Social Security card to a new legal name. Replacement Social Security cards that have no changes to be made can be requested online in most states.
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Updating Gender Marker With Social Security
STEP 1
Gather your supporting documents
Proof of citizenship and proof of identity are required to update your gender marker.
Social Security does not accept photocopies of these documents. All submitted documents must be certified and current . You may use one document for two purposes. For example, your U.S. passport can be used as both proof of citizenship and identity.
You will need to gather the following original documents:
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Proof of citizenship: U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport
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Proof of identity: U.S. drivers license, state-issued ID, or U.S. passport
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If you do not have one of these documents, you will be asked to submit another type of document, such as an employee ID, school ID, health insurance card, or U.S. military ID
Step 2
Acquire documentation for gender marker change
The Social Security Administration requires specific documentation as proof of your gender.
The following documents are accepted for a gender marker change:
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Signed letter from a licensed physician confirming you have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition
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Court order legally recognizing your change of gender
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Valid U.S. passport showing updated gender marker
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State-issued amended birth certificate showing updated gender marker
We recommend using a signed letter from a licensed physician.
If you choose to submit a letter from a physician, we suggest these tips:
STEP 3
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Read the instructions on Pages 1-4 of the form.
Step 4
FORMS TO COMPLETE
How To Change The Name On Your Social Security Card
Changing the name on your Social Security card is simple as long as you provide the necessary original documents and the required form. Learn how and where to submit your documents and form after you’ve legally changed your name.
Changing your name on a Social Security card is easyas long as you provide the right evidence. These steps are for people who already have Social Security cards. You’ll need proof of identity, citizenship, a completed Social Security form, and proof of your name change.
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How To Make An Office Appointment With Social Security
In this community resources guide, you will learn how to schedule an appointment with Social Security Administration.
Making a Social Security appointment can be a huge time saver. Calling SSA to make an appointment gives them the opportunity to get ready for your visit and allows you to learn about any documents that may be needed.
If you are uncomfortable applying for benefits online or using the Social Security website, continue reading to see how you can schedule a visit at a Social Security office near you.
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Complete Forms For Connecticut Agencies
The next forms to complete are to update your information for your drivers license , birth certificate , and voter registration card . Of these, your drivers license should be your first priority, but its important to get an original copy of your birth certificate as soon as you can. If you do not update your voter registration card, you will be denied your voting rights next time you try to vote.
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Gather The Required Documents
To change your name on your Social Security card, you must prove both your name change and your identity to the Social Security Administration. To verify your name change, you can use one of the following documents:
- Court order of name change
- Certificate of naturalization showing your new name
In addition to proving your name change, you will also need to confirm your identity. This is typically done with one of the following documents:
- U.S. drivers license
- State-issued non-drivers identification card
Some people may not have any of the three documents shown above. In that case, the Social Security Administration may accept other documents as your 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
- 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 that 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
- Certificate of naturalization
- U.S. Consular report of birth abroad
I Have Lost Or Misplaced My Ssn Card Us Citizen/resident
I have lost or misplaced my Social Security Card. I am a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien. How can I find out my Social Security Number? How do I replace the card?
Effective August 1, 2014, the Social Security Administration stopped providing Social Security Number printouts or verifications. The Federal Benefits Unit is unable to provide you with a printout or verification of a SSN. If you are a U.S. citizen or legal Permanent Resident Alien and you need to verify the details shown on your Social Security Number record, you should apply for a replacement card even if you cannot recall your Social Security Number.
Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS All questions must be answered and legible.
Please provide us with an original and current document of identity . We may not accept photocopies.
We are currently processing our SSN applications and returning the documents within the same week of receipt. Since we use correo certificado to return the documents, please estimate about three weeks of mailing time. The physical SSN cards are issued within 48 hours at a central location in the United States. Please estimate 3 to 4 weeks for your card to reach Spain.
This type of applications do not require a personal interview and you do not need to visit the Embassy. You may file your application by registered mail .
Proof of Identity
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How Do I Apply For A Social Security Number For Myself Or My Child Age 12 Or Over
Anyone age 12 or older must present themselves in person at a Federal Benefits Unit or designated U.S. Military installation.
You must also complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS all questions must be answered and legible.
You must also provide the following original documents photocopies are not acceptable.
Replacement Card For A Us Born Child
You can replace your child’s Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during a lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in immigration status that require card updates may 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.
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You Can Currently Only Enter Social Security Offices By Appointment In Limited Critical Situations But After Two Years That May Be About To Change
The Social Security Administration in March 2020 stopped face-to-face service with the public at the more than 1,200 field offices nationwide except in limited, critical situations due to the covid-19 pandemic. Until offices reopen, which may be finally happening after two years, beneficiaries can conduct business with the agency online, via fax or by phone including critical services.
The Social Security Administration considers the following situations as limited and critical: When a person lacks food or shelter, including utilities or in the event they do not have medical care or coverage and they are looking to reinstate or apply for benefits. Likewise, beneficiaries that cannot receive their benefits payment electronically and are in urgent need of one to cover food, shelter, or medical treatment expenses.
Replacement Card For A Foreign Born Us Child
You can replace your child’s Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However you may not need to get a replacement card, knowing your childâs Social Security number is what’s important. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during a 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.
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Documents Needed To Change Your Ssa Card
As mentioned, the first step in updating your Social Security card is to gather documentation to prove:
To prove that youve legally changed your name, youll need to provide a certified copy of one of the following documents:
- Certificate of naturalization
Its possible that one of these documents could provide enough information for the SSA to verify your identity, but if it doesnt, youll need to submit another document to prove your identity. To prove your identity, all of the following documentation may be accepted:
- United States passport
- U.S. drivers license
- State-issued ID card
To prove your prior name, any of the above documents will be acceptedeven if theyre expiredas long as they match your name in the SSAs records. If you dont have an ID document with your prior name, you can use an ID document with your current name as long as the SSA can verify your identity in their records. Finally, if you do not have a passport, license, or state-issued ID card and you cant get one within ten days, you can use one of the following documents:
- Health insurance card
- School I.D. card
- U.S. military identification
- Employee I.D. card
Replacement Card For A Noncitizen Child
You can replace your child’s Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during a lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in immigration status that require card updates may 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.
In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security can apply for a Social Security number. If your child does not have permission to work but needs a Social Security number for other purposes, see “If your child does not have permission to work” for further information.
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.
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Does A Name Change Affect Your Social Security Number
Changing your name on your Social Security card will have no effect on your Social Security number. Your SSN will not change. Even though your name might change multiple times over the course of your lifetime, your Social Security number will remain the same for life. A name change does not qualify as one of the extremely limited 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 recover without a new Social Security number. This essentially allows you to start your credit file over and erase all the fraud on your old number. The Social Security Administration will only issue a new SSN in the most severe ID theft cases. You can visit identitytheft.gov to learn more about this process.
Social Security Offices By State
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Proof Of Your New Legal Name
You must submit documents to the SSA to show proof of your name change. If you’ve had more than one name, provide documents that show the order in which your name has changed. For example, if you were married, then divorced, and then remarriedchanging your name each timeyou’ll bring your marriage licenses and divorce decree.
If you’ve only had one name change since you got your last Social Security card, you may show only the last document in which you received your new name, such as a marriage license or a court order, depending on how your name changed. Keep in mind, though, that the SSA has the right to ask for documents showing your previous names, so when in doubt, it’s best to supply them.
The documents needed for proof of name change include one of the following:
- Court order in a name change proceeding
- Certificate of naturalization with a new name
- Order or judgment of adoption
A certified copy of your birth certificate can show proof of your name when you were born. You can use other documents to validate your prior names so long as they’re either originals or certified copies. You can also use expired documents.