Filing & Enrollment
How to Change Your Name on a Social Security Card
Verified against SSA POMS as of September 23, 2026
The short answer
Changing your name on your Social Security card requires submitting a prescribed application and providing proof of identity and legal name change. Acceptable documents include a marriage certificate or court order. The replacement card will have the same number with the new name.
Required Documentation for Name Change
To change your name on your Social Security card, you must provide evidence of a legal name change. This can include a marriage document or a court order for a name change. The evidence should identify you by both your old and new names and include information that can be correlated with SSA records, such as your date of birth and parents' names. If there isn't enough identifying information, additional evidence may be requested (20 CFR 422.110). If you were born outside the U.S., you also need to provide evidence of U.S. citizenship or current lawful immigration status.
20 CFR 422.110 View source ›Application Process and Limitations
To request a name change on a Social Security card, complete the prescribed application. You can submit this application at any Social Security office or, if outside the U.S., at a Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office, U.S. Foreign Service post, or U.S. military post. Name changes do not count towards the limits on replacement Social Security cards, which are capped at 3 per year and 10 per lifetime (20 CFR 422.103).
20 CFR 422.110 View source ›Processing and Mailing of Replacement Cards
Upon receiving a completed application and necessary documents, a replacement card with your new name will be issued. The Social Security number remains unchanged. There is no fee for processing the name change request. However, SSA emphasizes the need for original or certified copies of documentation, as copies which are not certified are not accepted (20 CFR 422.107).
20 CFR 422.110 View source ›Frequently asked
How do I change my name on my Social Security card after marriage?
Submit a prescribed application with your marriage certificate as evidence of a legal name change to a local Social Security office. Depending on your situation, you may also be able to request a name change online.
What documents are needed to change my name on a Social Security card?
Documents needed include a marriage certificate or court order showing the legal name change.
Is there a limit to how many times I can change my name on a Social Security card?
No. Name changes are not counted towards the limits on replacement cards, which are 3 per year and 10 per lifetime.
Do I have to go to the Social Security office to change my name?
In many cases, you need to apply at a Social Security office or a designated location if abroad to change your name. However, depending on your situation, you may be able to request a name change online. Evidence must be submitted in person if you are required to visit an office.
Will changing my name affect my Social Security number?
No, your Social Security number will remain the same; only your name on the card will be updated.