How to Change Your Name for Social Security Purposes
If you need to change your name on your Social Security card because of marriage, civil union, naturalization or for some other reason, in most cases your first stop will be your local Social Security office. Once your name change is registered with the Social Security system, you will also need to change your name on your driver's license and other legal documents in order to avoid confusion. The entire process can be somewhat time-consuming.
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Things You'll Need
- Name change form
- Photo ID
- Court order or substitute document
- Social Security card
Instructions
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Obtain a court order changing your name from the appropriate court in your state of residence (procedures vary according to state law). If your (or your child's) name change is based on marriage, civil union, or naturalization, then your marriage certificate, civil union certificate or naturalization certificate is an acceptable substitute for a court order.
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Download, print and complete the change-of-name form available on the Social Security Administration website.
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Go to your local Social Security office with your current Social Security card, a government-issued photo ID, and your court order (if applicable). If your name change is based on marriage, civil union or naturalization, bring documentary proof of this. If you have not yet established your citizenship with the Social Security Administration, you will have to bring proof of citizenship such as a passport or certificate of naturalization. You will be issued a temporary Social Security card.
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Go to your state's motor-vehicles department to amend your driver's license (if you drive). You will need to bring your temporary Social Security card, your current driver's license, and your court order or substitute document.
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Check the website of the vital-records agency of the state in which you were born and follow instructions on amending your birth certificate. Although these procedures vary according to state law, most states will require you to produce your amended Social Security card.
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Notify banks, creditors, vehicle registration authorities, and any other interested parties of your name change. If you have a passport, take steps to have an amended passport issued before your next trip abroad.
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Tips & Warnings
Completing the entire process of changing your name is particularly important for women who are not changing their name due to marriage and for men. Having different names on your Social Security card and your driver's license, for example, could cause you many headaches in states that do not print Social Security numbers on driver's licenses.
Since your Social Security number will not change, it is nearly impossible to use a legal name change to evade creditors, erase a bad credit history or expunge a criminal record.
