When you legally change your name — most commonly after marriage, divorce, or court order — you must notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) to receive an updated Social Security card reflecting your new legal name. This should be done before updating other IDs (driver's license, passport), as many agencies require the SSA record to match first.
21 steps across 4 sections
1. Documents Needed
- Completed Form SS-5 — must be signed (unsigned forms will not be processed)
- Proof of legal name change — one of the following:
- Certified marriage certificate (most common)
- Divorce decree with name change provision
- Court order for legal name change
- Certificate of Naturalization showing the new name
- Proof of identity — a valid, unexpired document in your current (old) name:
- U.S. driver's license or state ID
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Foreign passport with valid immigration document
2. Processing Time
- Card delivery Typically within 10-14 business days after application is processed
- Wait before applying SSA recommends waiting at least 30 days after marriage before applying, to allow the state to update vital records
- No fee Name changes on Social Security cards are free
3. Must Do Before Other Id Changes
- The IRS requires your name on tax returns to match SSA records
- State DMVs verify your name against the SSA database when issuing driver's licenses and REAL IDs
- Passport agencies and banks may also cross-reference SSA records
- Mismatches between SSA records and other documents can cause delays, rejected applications, or tax filing problems
4. Key Considerations
- Your Social Security number does not change — only the name on the card is updated
- There is no fee for a name change card
- You are limited to 3 name changes per year and 10 replacement cards per lifetime (legal name changes due to marriage or court order may not count toward this limit)
- If changing your name back after divorce, you need the divorce decree showing the name restoration