what documents do i need to change my name on my social security card

Changing the name on your Social Security carte du jour is simple every bit long as you provide the necessary original documents and the required class. Larn how and where to submit your documents and class later you've legally changed your proper noun.

Irresolute your proper name on a Social Security carte du jour is like shooting fish in a barrel—every bit long as yous provide the correct evidence. These steps are for people who already accept Social Security cards. Y'all'll demand proof of identity, citizenship, a completed Social Security class, and proof of your name modify.

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How to Notify Social Security of Your Name Change

If y'all've changed your legal proper name, the outset step is to inform the Social Security office of your new proper noun. To get a Social Security name change on your card, the Social Security Assistants (SSA) requires three types of documents, regardless of how or why you lot changed your name. These documents must point and prove your:

New legal name
Identity
Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.South. immigration documents

Y'all can't alter the name on your Social Security card online because the SSA requires original documents. You can either mail in the originals or certified copies from the issuing agency, or you can take your documents directly to the nearest SSA function in your county. Going to an SSA part is the quickest and best manner to get a Social Security proper name change, and it provides you with peace of mind that you'll get your original documents back. The SSA besides returns mailed original documents, but there's always a chance they could get lost.

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 proper noun has changed. For example, if y'all were married, and so divorced, and and so remarried—changing your name each time—you'll bring your spousal relationship licenses and divorce prescript.

If yous've but had ane name alter since you lot got your last Social Security carte, y'all may testify merely the terminal certificate in which y'all received your new name, such every bit a wedlock license or a court order, depending on how your name changed. Keep in mind, though, that the SSA has the correct to ask for documents showing your previous names, and so when in doubt, information technology'south best to supply them.

The documents needed for proof of name change include one of the following:

Court order in a name change proceeding
Union license
Divorce decree or judgment
Certificate of naturalization with a new name
Order or judgment of adoption

A certified copy of your birth certificate can show proof of your proper noun 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 besides use expired documents.

Proof of Identity

There are several ways to show your identity, although you lot only need one. The best ways are:

U.S. commuter'south license
State ID carte
Unexpired U.S. passport or other passport if yous are a noncitizen

If those are unavailable, you lot tin show the following if they incorporate your photograph:

School or student ID card
Employer ID menu
U.South. armed services ID carte du jour
Health insurance ID carte

Proof of United States Citizenship or Other Condition

Proof of U.Due south. citizenship or other legal condition requires providing one of the following, such equally a:

U.S. birth certificate
U.South. passport
Document of Naturalization
Document of Citizenship
Study from the U.S. Consul of a birth abroad
Form I-551 (Lawful Permanent Resident Carte, Machine Readable Immigrant Visa) with your unexpired foreign passport
I-766 (Employment Authorization Document, EAD, piece of work let)
I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or admission stamp in the unexpired strange passport