How To Correct Name On Social Security Card

Below we list the required documents to update information on your Social Security card for both adults and children. Once you have all the documentation needed, you will then need to fill out their application and send it in through mail or in-person at a local Social Security office location. To download the application needed to request a correction on your Social Security card, click here. If you have questions or issues about updating your information, then you will need to contact your local SSA. You can use our Social Security Office locator to find a location nearby.

Please note, all documents listed must be original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. They will not be able to accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current and not expired. They cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

How long will it take to get a Social Security card?

They will mail your Social Security card as soon as they have all of the necessary information listed below. For Form I-765 they will issue your card as soon as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your employment authorization. Generally, you will get your card within 10-14 business days from the date your application is processed.

Once you do receive your updated card please do not laminate it. Lamination prevents detection of many security features. However, you may cover the card with plastic or other removable material if it does not damage the card.

Request to correct information on Social Security card for adults

Below is a list of original documents you need to provide when requesting to update the information on your Social Security card for adults. If you have any questions or issues about updating information for a social security card, then they recommend you contact your local Social Security office for assistance.

If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security so that you can get a corrected card. If you are working, also tell your employer. If you do not tell us when your name changes, it may:

• Prevent your wages from being posted correctly to your Social Security record, which may lower the amount of your future Social Security benefits
• Cause delays when you file your taxes

Citizenship

If you have not already established your US citizenship with them, they need to see proof of US citizenship. They can only accept certain documents as proof of US citizenship. These include a US birth certificate or US passport. This documentation is only required if you have not already established citizenship with them.

Name change

If you need to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show them proof of your legal name change. Documents Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:

• Marriage document
• Divorce decree
• Certificate of Naturalization showing the new name
• Court order approving the name change

If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give them enough information to identify you in their records or if you changed your name more than two years ago (four years ago if you are under 18 years of age), you must show them an identity document in your prior name (as shown in their records). They will accept an identity document in your old name that has expired.

If you do not have an identity document in your prior name, they may accept an unexpired identity document in your new name, as long as they can properly establish your identity in our records.

Identity

They only accept certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current, not expired and show your name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your:

• US driver's license
• State issued non-driver identification card
• US passport

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, then they will ask to see other documents. Any documents submitted, including the following, must be current, not expired and show your name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph:

• Employee identification card
• School identification card
• Health insurance card, that is not a Medicare card
• US military identification card

Please note, your new card will have the same number as your previous card, but will show your new name. They will mail your card as soon as they have all of your information and have verified your documents.

Request to correct information on Social Security card for children

Below is a list of original documents you need to provide when requesting to update the information on your Social Security card for a child. If you have any questions or issues about updating information for a social security card, then they recommend you contact your local Social Security office for assistance.

If you legally change your child's name because of adoption, court order or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security so that you can get a corrected card. If your child is working, also tell your child's employer. If you do not tell them when your child's name changes, it may:

• Delay your tax refund or your child's refund
• Prevent your child's wages from being posted correctly to your child's Social Security record, which may lower the amount of your child's future Social Security benefits

Citizenship

If you have not already established your child's US citizenship with them, they then need to see proof of US citizenship. They can only accept certain documents as proof of US citizenship. These include a US birth certificate or US passport. This documentation is only required if your child has not already established citizenship with them.

Name change

If you need to change the name on your child's Social Security card, you must show them proof of your child's legal name change. Documents Social Security may accept to prove your child's legal name change include:

• Final adoption decree with the new name
• Court order approving the name change
• Amended birth certificate with the new name

If the document you provide as evidence of your child's legal name change does not give them enough information to identify your child in their records or if you changed your child's name more than four years ago, you must show them an identity document in your child's prior name (as shown in their records). They then will only accept an identity document in your child's old name that has expired.

If you do not have an identity document in your child's prior name, they may accept an unexpired identity document in your child's new name, as long as they can properly establish your child's identity in their records.

Identity

Your child: They can accept only certain documents as proof of your child's identity. An acceptable document must show your child's name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph. Generally they can accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify the child. They prefer to see the child's US passport. If that document is not available, they may accept the child's:

• State issued non-driver's identification card
• Adoption decree
• Doctor, clinic or hospital record
• Religious record
• School daycare center record
• School identification card

You: They also must see proof of your identity. An acceptable document must be current, not expired and show your name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your:

• US driver's license
• State issued non-driver identification card
• US passport

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, they then will ask to see other documents. Any documents submitted, including the following, must be current, not expired and show your name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph:

• Employee identification card
• School identification card
• Health insurance card, not including a Medicare card
• US military identification card

Please note, your child's new card will have the same number as your child's previous card, but will show a new name. They will mail your child's card as soon as they have all of your child's information and have verified your child's documents.