How to Change Your Name on Your Social Security Card (2026)
Updated April 2026 · 6 min read · Not legal advice
How to use this SSA guide
This page is for anyone updating their legal name after marriage, divorce, or a court order and needs the Social Security Administration (SSA) record updated first. If you are mid-name-change and unsure where to start, treat SSA as step one before the DMV, banks, or payroll.
We walk through what to bring, whether to go in person or mail form SS-5, realistic timelines, and the mistakes that cause the longest delays—so you can finish this step once and move on with confidence.
Changing your name with the Social Security Administration is the most important step in the entire name change process — and it must be done first. Every other agency, from the DMV to your bank, cross-checks your name against SSA records. If you update your driver's license before SSA, you will face mismatches that slow everything else down.
The good news: updating your SSA record is completely free and straightforward. Use the free name change calculator to see your full name change cost and checklist.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather all of these before going to the SSA office or mailing your application:
1. Proof of Your Name Change
One of the following certified documents:
- Marriage certificate (certified copy from county clerk)
- Divorce decree with name restoration clause
- Court order for name change
2. Proof of Identity
One unexpired document showing your current (old) name, date of birth, and photo:
- U.S. driver's license
- U.S. passport
- State-issued ID card
3. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
Required if SSA does not already have your citizenship on file:
- U.S. birth certificate
- U.S. passport
- U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad
If you were born in the U.S. and have updated your name with SSA before, you may not need to show citizenship again.
How to Apply: Two Options
Option 1: In Person (Fastest)
Visit your local SSA office with your original documents — not photocopies. SSA will copy them and return them same-day. Processing takes 1–2 weeks; your new card arrives by mail. Find your nearest office at ssa.gov/agency/contact.
Option 2: By Mail
Complete form SS-5 (available at ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf) and mail it with your original documents to your local SSA office. SSA will return your documents by mail. Allow 2–4 weeks total. Only use mail if you cannot visit in person — original documents being in transit adds risk.
Step-by-Step: What to Do
Download and complete form SS-5
Available free at ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf. Fill in your new name, current name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
Gather your original documents
Do not bring photocopies. SSA requires originals but will return them same-day if you go in person.
Visit your local SSA office or mail your application
In-person is faster. Bring everything in a folder. The appointment typically takes 15–20 minutes.
Receive your new card by mail
Your new Social Security card arrives in 1–2 weeks. Your Social Security number does not change — only the name on the card.
Update your driver's license next
Once your SSA record is updated, proceed to your state DMV. Bring your new SSA card or the receipt/confirmation from SSA.
Cost and Timeline
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free — no fee to update SSA records |
| Processing time | 1–2 weeks in person, 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Card replacements per year | Maximum 3 per year, 10 per lifetime |
| Your SSN changes | No — only the name on record changes |
Common Questions
Do I need to go in person?
No — you can mail your application. But in-person is faster and eliminates the risk of your original documents being lost in transit.
Can I update my SSA name online?
Not for a name change — SSA requires original documents for name updates. You must either go in person or mail your application.
What if my name on my ID doesn't match the name change document?
SSA may require an additional document connecting your current ID name to your name change document. Bring extra documentation if your current name on your ID differs from the name in the name change document.
How long until IRS and other federal agencies are updated?
Once SSA updates your record, the IRS is notified automatically. Allow one tax filing cycle for IRS records to fully sync. File your next tax return using the name exactly as it appears on your updated SSA card.
See Your Full Name Change Checklist
SSA is just one step. Get your complete personalized checklist including DMV, passport, and all other documents — customized for your state.
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