Skip to content
See your exact steps free
Current for 2026 · checked against SSA.gov Last verified 2026-06-15

How to change your name on your Social Security card

Whatever the reason — marriage, divorce, or a court-ordered name change — you change the name on your Social Security card the same way: complete the free Form SS-5, show an original or agency-certified name-change document, and prove your identity. There's no fee. Do this first, before your driver's license, REAL ID, or passport, because the DMV checks your name against Social Security's records.

The steps, whatever your reason

The Social Security part is the same for everyone. The only thing that changes is which document proves your new name.

  1. Find your name-change document

    Social Security needs evidence of the name change. That's a certified marriage certificate if you married, a certified U.S. divorce, annulment, or dissolution decree if you divorced, or a certified court order if a court changed your name. It must be an original or a copy certified by the issuing agency — not a photocopy.

    Source

  2. Complete Form SS-5 (free)

    Fill out Form SS-5, the application for a Social Security card. There's no fee to change the name on your card. You apply for a corrected card in your new name.

    Source

  3. Show proof of identity

    Along with your name-change document, Social Security needs proof of your identity — typically a U.S. driver's license, state ID, or passport — and proof of citizenship or lawful status if it doesn't already have it on file.

    Source

  4. Do Social Security first, then the rest

    Update Social Security before your driver's license, REAL ID, or passport. State DMVs verify your name against Social Security's records, so doing this first keeps your license or REAL ID from being rejected on a name mismatch.

    Source

Which document proves your new name?

The process is reason-neutral, but the document isn't. Start with the page that matches your reason — it covers exactly what Social Security needs from you.

For a brand-new name that's neither a former name nor one tied to a marriage, you generally need a court-ordered name change first — file a petition at your county or local court, and Social Security will accept the signed court order (not a petition on its own).

Official sources

Every step is backed by an official government page — confirm the current rules on the source before you act.

See your exact steps free

Answer a few quick questions and we'll tell you what to do first, second, and third for your exact situation — each step linked to the real .gov page. No account, no card.

Start your free preview

Frequently asked questions

How do I change the name on my Social Security card?
Complete Form SS-5 (free), show an original or agency-certified name-change document — a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order — plus proof of identity, and submit them to Social Security. There's no fee to update the name on your card.
What document does Social Security accept as proof of a name change?
A certified marriage certificate, a U.S. divorce, annulment, or dissolution decree, or a U.S. court order for a name change. It must be an original or a copy certified by the issuing agency. Social Security accepts a court order, but not a petition on its own.
Is the Social Security name change free?
Yes. Social Security doesn't charge to change the name on your card. If someone charges you for the SS-5 form itself, they're charging you for free government paper.
Do I change my name with Social Security or the DMV first?
Social Security first. State DMVs check your name and SSN against Social Security's records, so if your DMV name doesn't match yet, your REAL ID or license can be delayed or rejected.

Not legal advice · Not a government service · Not affiliated with any government agency.