Social security name change application after marriage

When you think about changing your name after marriage, the first thing that typically comes to mind is changing your name with Social Security Administration. It doesn’t matter what state you live in. Filing for your name change with Social Security is the very first to-do on the name change checklist. Follow our expert advice below to make filing the SS-5 form painless!

The Scoop on Social Security Name Change

The SS-5 Form is used by anyone applying for a Social Security Card. It’s also used by anyone updating their name on their card. The SS-5 is a one page form with 18 questions. That’s pretty short for a federal name-change form! The question we receive the most calls and emails about is #11. Has the person listed in item one or anyone acting on his/her behalf ever filed for or received a Social Security number card before? The answer is “yes” if you current have a Social Security Card. Because, your parents filed for one on your behalf.

The Social Security Filing Process

Once you complete your SS-5 form, you have the option to file in-person at a Social Security Administration office near you. Or you can opt file by mail. In both situations a certified marriage certificate and form of photo ID will be needed to process your paperwork.

If you elect to file in-person, the clerk will take your form. Then they will make copies of your certified marriage certificate and state driver’s license or U.S. Passport. Next you’ll get back your certificate and form of ID back.

*If you opt to file your SS-5 by mail you will need to include your certified marriage certificate AND U.S. Passport. Photocopies are not accepted. Your certificate and U.S. Passport will be mailed back to you along with your new Social Security card.

The Social Security Name Change Cost

Great news newlyweds! There’s no fee to file for a name change with the Social Security Administration.

The Social Security Name Change Timeline

Your new Social Security card with your new married name will be mailed to you approximately 2 weeks after your SS-5 form is processed. If you opted to file by mail it may take a few extra days.

Expert Social Security Name Change Tips

Your Social Security number remains the same even when your name changes. So, there’s no need to worry about updating that as you go through the name change filing process!

If you do not have a passport, we strongly recommend filing in person. Why? So you are not without your driver’s license during the two week processing period.

If you don’t want to endlessly write or type the same answers on all of your name-change forms, we’d love to help you with our name change app or easy online name change service. Answer once, and we’ll auto-complete all of the appropriate federal and state name-change forms with your information and provide step-by-step filing instructions to help you go from Miss to Mrs. in minutes!

Beyond Social Security Name Change

The SS-5 is just the first federal government name change form you need to file. We’ve made a married name change checklist to help you visualize the process, and keep track of your name change tasks. Consider it a wedding gift from the name change experts at MissNowMrs!

Changing the name on your Social Security card is simple as long as you provide the necessary original documents and the required form. Learn how and where to submit your documents and form after you've legally changed your name.

Changing your name on a Social Security card is easy—as long as you provide the right evidence. These steps are for people who already have Social Security cards. You'll need proof of identity, citizenship, a completed Social Security form, and proof of your name change.

Social security name change application after marriage

How to notify Social Security of your name change

If you've changed your legal name, the first step is to inform the Social Security office of your new name. To get a Social Security name change on your card, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires three types of documents, regardless of how or why you changed your name. These documents must indicate and prove your:

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

You can't change 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 office in your county. Going to an SSA office is the quickest and best way to get a Social Security name change, and it provides you with peace of mind that you'll get your original documents back. The SSA also returns mailed original documents, but there's always a chance they could get lost.

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 name has changed. For example, if you were married, then divorced, and then remarried—changing your name each time—you'll bring your marriage licenses and divorce decree.

If you've only had one name change since you got your last Social Security card, you may show only the last document in which you received your new name, such as a marriage license or a court order, depending on how your name changed. Keep in mind, though, that the SSA has the right to ask for documents showing your previous names, so when in doubt, it's best to supply them.

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

  • Court order in a name change proceeding
  • Marriage 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 name 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 also use expired documents.

Proof of identity

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

  • U.S. driver's license
  • State ID card
  • Unexpired U.S. passport or other passport if you are a noncitizen

If those are unavailable, you can show the following if they contain your photo:

  • School or student ID card
  • Employer ID card
  • U.S. military ID card
  • Health insurance ID card

Proof of United States citizenship or other status

Proof of U.S. citizenship or other legal status requires providing one of the following, such as a:

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

Other documents needed for a Social Security name change

Once you have your documents, you'll need to fill out Social Security Form SS-5. The form is relatively easy to fill out. The full name you want to use goes in the first block. This is the “name to be shown on card." Then fill in the name you were born with, followed by the other names you've used.

You don't need to fill in your parents' Social Security numbers because this isn't an original application for a Social Security number. Listing your parents' names is sufficient. Complete Nos. 1 through 18 on the form. Bring the form with your documents to your local SSA office, or mail the form with your documents.

While you must provide the SSA with several documents and the completed SSA Form SS-5, the process is simple and takes only a few weeks to get a new card. Once you've changed your Social Security card to your new name, you can make changes to other documents, such as your driver's license, much more easily.

How do you change your name with Social Security after you get married?

To change your name on your card, you must show us documents proving your legal name change and identity. You also must show us a document proving your U.S. citizenship, if it is not already in our records. You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them.

What proof do I need to change my name on my Social Security card?

Documents Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:.
Marriage document;.
Divorce decree;.
Certificate of Naturalization showing the new name; or..
Court order approving the name change..

Can I change my name with Social Security online?

If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you must tell Social Security so you can get a corrected card. You cannot apply for a corrected card online.

How do I inform Social Security that I got married?

By calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office.