Although there is no law requiring a name change after marriage, the practice continues to be common in the United States. If you’ve been recently married and want to learn about how to change your name with Social Security, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of Social Security name change after marriage, including the form and documents you need to successfully complete the process.
This article will cover:
- Importance of Up to Date Social Security Records
- How to Change your Name with Social Security After Marriage
- List of Who to Tell If You Change Your Name After Marriage
- Social Security Name Change After Marriage FAQs
Importance of Up to Date Social Security Records
Your Social Security number is important because you need it to work, collect Social Security benefits, and receive certain government services.
The information on your Social Security card that is kept by the Social Security Administration (SSA) must always be up-to-date and correct.
Therefore, if you have legally changed your name because of marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason, you must tell the SSA right away.
That way, they can correct your Social Security card and records.
How to Change your Name with Social Security After Marriage
Here is the step-by-step process of Social Security name change after marriage.
Step 1 – Get your Marriage License
First, you need your marriage license before you can begin the process of changing your name with Social Security.
You will need the original (or certified) marriage license with the raised seal.
If you do not have your marriage license, call the county clerk’s office where your license was filed to get copies if one wasn’t automatically sent to you.
Step 2 – Gather the remaining documents required by Social Security
In order to change your name with Social Security, You need to provide documentation in three categories as shown below:
First, you must prove that you have legally changed your name.
Documents to Prove Your Legal Name Change
You must show one of the following documents:
- Original (or certified) marriage license with the raised seal.
The Social Security Administration may ask to see identity documents showing your old name and documents showing your new name.
It is acceptable to show identity documents in your old name that have expired.
Next, you need to show documents to prove your identity.
Documents to Prove Your Identity
To prove your identity, you must bring a document showing your name, identifying information, and photograph, such as one of the following:
- U.S. driver’s license;
- State-issued non-driver’s identification card; or
- U.S. passport.
The Social Security Administration may also accept the following to prove your identity:
- Employer identification card;
- School identification card;
- Health insurance card; or
- U.S. military identification card.
Finally, you need to show documentation to prove your U.S citizenship
Documents to Prove Your Citizenship
You also may need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship if that status is not already reflected in Social Security records.
Acceptable documents include:
- U.S. birth certificate;
- U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad;
- U.S. passport;
- Certificate of Naturalization; or
- Certificate of Citizenship.
What if I am not a U.S Citizen?
Noncitizens must provide immigration documents proving their identity and authorization to work in the United States.
In addition, noncitizens must provide their foreign passport and a legal record of a name change.
Step 3 – Fill out and print an Application for a Social Security Card
The next step in the process is to fill out and print an application for a Social Security card.
You’ll need to fill out Form SS-5, the standard application for a Social Security card.
Click here for the application form.
Step 4 – Mail or hand-deliver the application to your local Social Security office
The final step in the process is to submit your completed and signed application to Social Security.
You have two options to submit your application:
First, you can take your completed application and documents to your local social security office. Click here to find an office near you.
Also, you can mail in your completed application and documents to your local social security office.
List of Who to Tell If You Change Your Name After Marriage
If you have changed your name after marriage, here is a complete list of who you should tell to make sure you don’t drop the ball on anything:
Get a New Driver’s License
After you have changed your name with the Social Security Administration, the next place to go is to get a new Driver’s License.
However, you do not need to have your new Social Security card in hand to update your driver’s license, but you need to wait until Social Security has updated your records with your new name before applying for a new license.
Updating your driver’s license with a new name must be done in person.
In addition, some states consider a name change a part of the license renewal process.
Therefore, you may need to take a new photograph, as well as pay the renewal fee.
Visit your state’s DMV website to print a renewal application form.
Update your Passport
Another document you will want to update is your passport.
However, before you do this, you should review your travel plans.
For example, if you’ve already booked an upcoming trip (like your honeymoon) under your maiden name, you’ll need a matching ID to fly.
Therefore you may want to wait until you return to change your passport (or even your diver’s license).
To update your passport, you will need to fill out the appropriate form and mail it to the address listed on the form.
In addition, you will need to include your current, valid U.S. passport, a certified copy of your marriage certificate, and a new passport photo.
Furthermore, if your current passport is less than a year old, complete Form DS-5504 and your new passport book will be free.
Otherwise, you’ll need to submit Form DS-82 and pay $110.
Your new passport should arrive in four to six weeks, unless you request expedited service, in which case it will arrive in two to three weeks and cost an extra $60.
Banks, Credit Unions, and Financial Services Providers
One of the most important steps to take after you change your name is to notify the financial institutions you do business with.
This includes your bank or credit union as well as other financial services providers, such as credit card companies.
The easiest way to do this is to visit the nearest branch office with your marriage license and new driver’s license.
In addition, you can also order new checks and getting an updated debit card.
Vehicle Title and Registration
Next, you should update your Vehicle title and registration with your DMV.
Visit your state’s DMV website and researching the steps to update your car’s title and registration.
Typically, a new title takes a few weeks to arrive in the mail.
However, in most states, you can get a new registration right away.
Your Employer
You should also notify your employer about your name change.
This is important because you want to make sure that taxes and Social Security deductions are credited correctly to you.
Therefore inform your HR department that your name has changed.
To update their records, your employer will need may need to see your new Social Security card.
In addition, they will ask you to fill out a new W-4 while.
Furthermore, if you have a retirement account at work, make sure that you update the beneficiary to your new spouse.
Update your voter registration information
Another important step after you change your name after marriage is to update your voter registration information.
You can do this by downloading and mailing in the National Voter Registration Application or by visiting vote.gov.
Everything Else
Now that you’ve covered the major name updates, it’s time to update your name on just about everything else.
Here’s a list of places you may need or want to update with your name change.
- Post Office (especially if your address has changed)
- Utility Companies
- Schools/Alumni Organizations
- Landlord or Mortgage Office
- Insurance (Home, Auto, Life)
- Doctor’s Offices
- Investment Account Providers
- Attorney (to update legal documents, including your will)
- Airlines (transfer your miles!)
- Subscriptions (magazines, monthly boxes, etc.)
Social Security Name Change After Marriage FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding the process of changing a name on a social security card due to marriage.
Can I Complete a Change of Name on Social Security Card Online?
Unfortunately, you cannot apply for a Social Security card name change online.
You will have to take or mail your completed application and supporting documents to your local social security office.
Is there a deadline for name change after marriage?
No. There’s no time limit to change your name after marriage.
Your maiden name would still be your legal last name until/unless you change it with the Social Security Administration.
Furthermore, your marriage license does not expire.
As long as you remain married and have your marriage certificate you will be able to go through the marriage name change process when you are ready.
There are examples of people who waited for more than 5 years to change their name after getting married.
Does your Social Security Number change when you get married?
No, your Social Security Number (SSN) does not change after you get married and change your name.
Furthermore, you are not legally required to get a new Social Security card when you get married unless you change your name.
How long do you have to change your name after getting married?
There is no time frame to change your name after getting married.
Your maiden name would still be your legal last name until/unless you change it with the Social Security Administration.
Furthermore, your marriage license does not expire.
As long as you remain married and have your marriage certificate you will be able to go through the marriage name change process when you are ready.
There are examples of people who waited for more than 5 years to change their name after getting married.
I’m a woman who is planning to be married soon. Do I have to take my husband’s name?
No. When you marry, you are free to keep your own name or take your husband’s name, without a court-ordered name change.
Also, in most states, your husband can adopt your name, instead, if that’s what you both prefer.
However, in general, you’ll need a court order if you and your husband both want to change to a different name that you share.
Social Security Name Change After Marriage Summary
We hope this post on Social Security Name Change After Marriage was helpful.
If you have further questions about your Social Security card or benefits in general, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles on How to Create my Social Security Account, How to Login my Social Security Account, Direct Express App for Android and iPhone, What a Social Security Card looks like, and How to get Social Security Number for Newborn.