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If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce or another reason, notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) as soon as possible, so officials can update your file and send you a new Social Security card. In some circumstances, you may be able to do this online, but in many cases, you’ll have to visit a Social Security office.
The SSA website has a name-change questionnaire you can use to see if you qualify for full or partial online application. Whatever the method, you will not be charged to apply for or receive the new card, which should arrive in the mail within 14 days after your application is processed. Your Social Security number will not change.
When you can file for a name change online
You can complete an application for a replacement card with a new name online, with no need to visit a Social Security facility, if you meet these criteria:
- You are a U.S. citizen at least 18 years old with a U.S. mailing address.
- You are changing your name due to marriage.
- The marriage occurred at least 30 days ago.
- Your marriage license or certificate was issued in a state that participates in a marriage-data exchange system with Social Security. (As of August 2025, 21 states do so: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
- You have an online My Social Security account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one in a few minutes at the SSA website.
As part of the online application, you’ll need to enter information from a U.S. driver’s license or other state-issued ID and your marriage license or certificate from the participating state.
When you need to go to a Social Security office
If you live in one of the other 29 states, the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory, or if you are changing your name for a reason other than marriage (such as divorce or naturalization), you may be able to start the process by filling out an online form, but you will have to finish it at an SSA office.
You have 45 days from when you filed the online portion of the application to appear in person with proof of identity and proof of the name change. Call 800-772-1213 to make an appointment at a local Social Security office. Keep in mind that the appointment date may be several weeks after you call — the average wait in early August 2025 was 35 days, according to SSA data.
You'll need to bring evidence of the name change and proof of your identity. Evidence of the name change could be:
- A marriage certificate (at least 30 days old).
- A divorce decree.
- A certificate of U.S. naturalization.
- A court order granting the name change.
More Social Security Answers
How do I change my address with Social Security?
Is it possible to get a new Social Security number?