Social Security Name Change
Updated October 2026 · 2026 figures from the Social Security Administration and IRS
A Social Security name change is free: start it online at ssa.gov or with Form SS-5, then show your marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order plus a photo ID. You'll get a new card with your new name and the same number. Do it before you change your name with the DMV, your employer and the IRS — mismatched names delay tax refunds.
Retirement Rules Guide is an independent site, not the Social Security Administration. We can't process applications or see your record; every official action below happens at ssa.gov, by phone with SSA or at an SSA office.
Documents you need
All originals or copies certified by the agency that issued them (SSA publication 05-10513):
| Proof of | Accepted documents |
|---|---|
| Legal name change | Marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order for a name change, or Certificate of Naturalization showing the new name |
| Identity | U.S. driver's license, state ID or U.S. passport; if you don't have one, an employee ID, school ID, health insurance card or military ID may be accepted |
| U.S. citizenship (if not on file) | U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship |
Your ID can be in your old name if your name-change document links old and new names. If the change happened more than two years ago, SSA may ask for an extra identity document in your old name — or one in your new name issued after the change.
Social Security name change: step by step
- Get certified copies of your name-change document. Marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order or naturalization certificate showing the new name.
- Start your application. Begin online at ssa.gov (replace card page) or fill in Form SS-5.
- Prove identity and citizenship. Driver's license, state ID or passport, plus proof of U.S. citizenship if SSA doesn't have it on file.
- Submit. Finish online if eligible, or bring or mail originals to an office or Card Center within 45 days.
- Wait for your card. The new card shows your new name and the same number, by mail.
- Then update everything else. Employer payroll, DMV, passport, banks, Medicare, the IRS (it uses SSA's records).
A card issued for a legal name change doesn't count toward the limit of three replacement cards a year and ten in a lifetime (20 CFR 422.103).
The right order after marriage
- Certified marriage certificate from the county clerk.
- Social Security — first, because other agencies verify your name against SSA's records.
- Wait a few days until SSA's records update (you don't need the physical card first for most offices).
- Employer — so your W-2 matches SSA's records and your earnings count toward benefits.
- DMV (driver's license or REAL ID), then passport.
- Banks, insurance, Medicare, voter registration, retirement accounts.
Divorce or going back to a former name
Use a divorce decree that states you may resume a former name, or a court order. Some states let you return to a birth name on other documents with a birth certificate, but SSA generally requires a document that legally authorizes the change.
Already getting Social Security or Medicare?
Your benefits continue without interruption. Updating your name with SSA also updates your Medicare record; you can then request a new Medicare card showing the new name. If you claim spouse or survivor benefits, keep certified copies of marriage and divorce documents — you'll need them again.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change my name on my Social Security card?
Start online at ssa.gov or complete Form SS-5, then provide your marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order, a photo ID and, if needed, proof of citizenship. SSA mails a card with your new name and the same number.
Can I change my name with Social Security online?
You can start online. Depending on your situation, you finish online or bring the original documents to an office or Card Center within 45 days.
How much does a Social Security name change cost?
It's free. Paid services only fill out the same free Form SS-5.
How long after marriage do you have to change your name with Social Security?
There's no deadline, but update SSA before filing taxes or changing your name at work, to avoid mismatches with the IRS and your earnings record.
Do I need a new card after changing my name?
Yes, SSA issues a corrected card with your new name and the same number. It doesn't count toward the replacement card limits.