As with all name changes, always start by getting a Social Security card issued in your new name. Other government agencies check your name with the SSA before they make any changes and your names must match. Show
What document do I need to change names with the SSA after divorce?Applicants can complete the SS5 - Application for a Social Security Card form to request a card issued in their new name. Your state may have issued either a court order restoring your former name or a divorce decree that lists your married and former names. Either of these documents can be used as proof of your former name. Didn't request a name change order when divorcing?Some states, such as California, allow you to modify the petition after the final judgment. Check with your court to see if this is possible. If not, you may still be able to use only your divorce order to change names. Start by checking with your DMV to see if they allow you to go back to your former name with only a divorce order. If this is allowed, update your name with the SSA then go onto change names with the SSA. With your divorce order, SSA name change and updated photo ID you should find all other companies will allow the change. If not try closing your account and opening a new one. If your DMV does not allow a name change with only a divorce order you may have no choice but to apply for a legal name change in your state. Read more about legal name change here. CTA WAD HERE Receive a replacement Social Security card in your new nameOnce your application has been processed wait to receive confirmation of your name change. A replacement card with your new name and existing SSA number will be delivered about 2 weeks later or you may receive mailed correspondence in your new name. The DMV and other agencies can access your SSA records online, so you can visit your state DMV and request an updated license once the SSA has processed the change. Our kit provides you with all the forms and information to change names with over one thousand state and federal agencies and various organizations. No trawling the web for information! We also include the Easy Name Change guide which steps you through the process. With kits from just $35 it will be the most affordable part of your divorce. Need to change names with other companies?Chances are you need to inform a large number of other companies of your new name. We provide ready to send name change forms, letters emails and faxes together with detailed filing instructions for over 1,000 US organizations. No need to call each one to check procedures or search for forms. And if you're not happy for any reason, we'll fully refund your money. Changing your name on your driver's license or state identification due to marriage or divorce, call the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) at 317-233-6000 option #2 or physically going to a local BMV branch. (All Branches are closed on Mondays).You can legally change the name on your social security card after marriage, divorce, or court order through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Getting a new social security card paves the way for other name changes, such as your driver's license and passport. Your social security number (SSN) will stay the same after changing your name. Name change requirementsYou can change the name on your social security card by completing the SS-5 application and providing:
Any evidence you offer—ID, records, certificates—must be original or certified copies. Photocopies, notarized copies, photos, and receipts are unacceptable. Does this mean you're obliged to mail your driver's license and unearth your birth certificate? Maybe not. You may only have to satisfy the first condition (explained later). Changing the name on your social security card is just one part of the name change process. Our name change after marriage guide gives the complete picture. What's allowed in your legal name change?Your legal name is your first and last name only. The SSA will still print your middle name and suffix on your social security card if enough space is available. Your name may only contain letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Suffixes are okay. Omit your personal title, such as Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Esq., Sister, or Father. Don't use a nickname or abbreviation, such as Liz for Elizabeth or Deb for Deborah, unless it's your actual legal name. SS-5 social security name change formUse Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card) to:
The form will ask you to spell out your:
Sign your new name on the application. Make it legible. You can omit your parent's social security number if you're 18 years old or older. You do not have to include your old social security card with your application. It is not a valid form of identification. You can fill out the social security form using our name change kit. Be prepared to download, print, sign, and mail your auto-filled PDF form. Proof of name changeThere are four unique name change events:
Proven by their respective name change documents:
Let's unpack each event, starting with the most common… Marriage name changeChange your name after marriage via your marriage certificate.Thirteen states will allow you to choose your new married name when applying for a marriage license, which shows up on your marriage certificate:
The following map illustrates how most states (representing 70% of the U.S. population) won't ask that you pick out your new name when applying to get married. New name chosen on the marriage application in 13 states.For the remaining 37 states and D.C., you can "derive" your new name in four ways:
These rules apply to same-sex marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships too. 1. Full last nameTake your spouse's entire last name, as-is. This is the "traditional" approach. 2. Partial last nameTake one whole part of your spouse's hyphenated or space-separated last name. (Assuming such name exists.) 3. Hyphenated last nameCombine your and your spouse's last names with a hyphen (-), in either order. 4. Double-barreled last nameJoin your and your spouse's last names, separated by a space, in either order. Space is mandatory; names can't be flush. Married name change examplesThe following exhibits your choices if your last name were Adams and spouse's Baker. OptionNew last nameFullBakerHyphenatedAdams-BakerHyphenatedBaker-AdamsDouble-barreledAdams BakerDouble-barreledBaker AdamsHere's an example using Adams and Baker-Smith… You can't change your first name through marriage; petition the court instead. Divorce name changeChange your name after divorce via your divorce decree.You can return to your maiden name using your divorce decree. Or any prior legal name. Men and women. Just ask the judge to include the written order. If your decree has a name restoration order:
If your decree is missing a name restoration order:
Divorce name change rules apply to similar legal break-ups:
You can skip your divorce name change if you plan to switch it later after getting married again. This avoids a redundant, back-to-back name swap. Court order name changeFor a court-petitioned name change, you can only transition to the judge-approved name shown on your court order. A court order is the most powerful name change instrument, permitting unbounded first, middle, and last name revisions. Reach for this tool if all else fails. Naturalization name changeYou can ask the court for a new name during naturalization, then use your certificate of naturalization as proof. Proof of ageFalse assumptions on name change and birth certificates merits mentioning that you don't have to prove age to:
But you must show evidence of age to:
You can confirm your age using a:
Proof of identityYou must show one form of "primary" photo ID to change your name. If mailing identification alarms you, there may be a surprising workaround. Let's cover this rule first… U.S. citizens, show your American:
U.S. lawful immigrants, show your foreign passport and:
Alternative, secondary IDYou can show secondary ID if primary ID is unavailable. Unavailable means you can't "easily" access or replace it within ten business days. The following table shows acceptable alternative IDs, which must contain your photograph, age, or date of birth: The agency that issues your medical, religious, or school records must certify them. Insurance policies and medical cards must be current and active. To reduce the chance of your paperwork returned asking for nonexistent primary ID, take preemptive action by attaching a note explaining your plight…
Maybe you don't need IDYou can avoid relinquishing your ID under key criteria.It may be possible to use your name change document as ID. This offers the convenience of mailing your application without surrendering your driver's license, passport, etc. This works by making sure your document:
Review the primary ID options if your name change document doesn't qualify as ID. 1. Is recently establishedYou've crossed the biggest hurdle if your name change event took place within the past two years. (It extends to four years if you're below the age of 18.) There's no hard name change deadline. But waiting too long increases your burden—mailing ID and awaiting its return. Even then, alternative ID options exist. 2. Shows biographical informationYour name change document must—and should—show biographical data matching your current social security record:
Any of the above three details work, but nothing else. 3. Matches your current name on fileYour name change document must mention the name on your current social security card. So, were your name Jane Doe before changing, your document must show likewise. Proof of citizenshipIn the unlikely event that the Social Security Administration is unaware of your U.S. citizenship, show your:
The bottom line is that you can skip this step if the SSA issued you a social security card in the past with your citizenship status marked as U.S. citizen. Proof of lawful immigrant statusIf you're a U.S. lawful immigrant (non-citizen), verify your immigration status with your:
Student visa holders (F-1 or M-1), show Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). If employed, show a pay stub or employer letter listing your:
Exchange visitor visa holders (J-1 or J-2), show Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status). If employed, your sponsor must write a letter that's:
Submitting your paperworkYou have a big decision to make after preparing your paperwork—submit your application by mail or in person? The in-person experience is clear-cut:
You can schedule an appointment to change your name, which saves time by skipping the line. Walk-ins without an appointment are still welcome. You cannot change your name with social security online or via MySSA (my Social Security). You must either apply by mail or in office. Social security offices reopenIn-person service has returned to local social security offices on April 7, 2022. COVID-19's impact on social security had closed field offices to the public for over two years, between March 17, 2020 and April 7, 2022. Forcing name change applications to mail… Legacy SSA prerecorded notice on Coronavirus office closings.
Receiving your new card by mailReal-world name change turnaround times in 2021–2022.It should take 7 to 14 days to receive your new social security card by mail. But COVID-19-related delays have stretched it out to 2 to 4 weeks. Eight weeks at worst. Since SSA field offices have reopened in April 2022, processing times have improved to more normal levels. Expect two deliveriesSupporting documents you send with your application will arrive earlier from your local office. The "Central Office" near DC and Baltimore will mail your card last. For instance, if your mailed packet includes your:
You'll get mailed two envelopes:
It's normal for your card to arrive several weeks after your personal documents. Securing your social security cardWhen your new social security card arrives by mail:
Don't laminate your card; it blocks built-in anti-counterfeiting security features. Changing your name on other credentialsHow should you order and space out your name change to-dos beyond social security? Here's the proper sequence:
Let's explain each in quick succession… 1. Green cardUse Form I-90 to change your green card name. This precedes social security. 2. Social security cardSocial security name change makes your new name legal. 3. Driver's license or Real IDWait at least 24 hours between your social security and driver's license name change; enough time for the SSA database to refresh before it's queried. 4. Military ID cardUpdate your military ID via DEERS or an ID card center. 5. PassportRenew or change your passport name any time. 6. IRSThe SSA will alert the IRS that you've changed your name. 7. USPSSet up USPS mail forwarding if changing your address. 8. EmployersThe name on your W-2s must match IRS records for proper social security benefits recording. 9. Everything elseNotify or update the leftovers:
ConclusionWhether you use this guide or our online name change kit to change your name, everything starts with updating your social security card. Good luck to you. Can you change your SSN?To request a different Social Security number, contact your local Social Security office for an in-person appointment.
Can I change my Social Security address online?Change your Address and Telephone number online
You can change and update your information anytime, anywhere by logging in to or creating a free my Social Security account.
|