Name Change with Social Security: Complete Walkthrough
Updated July 25, 2026
The Social Security Administration is the first stop in a post-marriage name change. Every other agency — DMV, State Department, IRS — expects your name in the SSA system to match what you are asking them to put on your new documents.
The process is free and can be done by mail or in person. In person is faster if a local office has appointments.
What you need before you file
A completed Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card). Download the current version from ssa.gov before you fill it out — older PDFs are floating around online.
A certified copy of your marriage certificate (not a photocopy, not the decorative version from the venue). The county clerk issues certified copies for $5-$20 each; order 3-5 for the full name change process.
A current government-issued photo ID: driver's license, passport, or state ID.
Filing by mail
Mail the completed SS-5, the original certified marriage certificate, and your ID to the SSA processing address on the form. SSA returns your original documents within 2-4 weeks along with your new card.
Never send originals by regular mail if the documents would be hard to replace. Use USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
Filing in person
Find your local office at ssa.gov/locator. Book an appointment if the office supports them; walk-ins are accepted but often mean a long wait.
Bring the same documents. SSA verifies them on the spot and returns them immediately. New card arrives in 10-14 days.
Common mistakes
Filing with the ceremonial marriage certificate instead of the legal one. Only the certified version from the county recorder counts.
Filing when the name on your ID does not exactly match Applicant 1 or Applicant 2 on the marriage certificate. Fix the ID error first.
Traveling internationally within 2 weeks of filing. Passport updates cannot begin until SSA is done, and airlines sometimes flag mid-update names.
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Frequently asked
- How much does it cost to change your name with Social Security?
- Nothing. The SSA does not charge for a name change or a replacement card. If a website is charging you to file with SSA, it is a third-party middleman — you can do the same filing yourself for free.
- Does my Social Security number change?
- No. Your SSN stays the same for life. Only the name attached to it is updated.
Keep reading
- Name Change Checklist After Marriage (US)The complete US name change checklist after marriage. Social Security, driver's license, passport, banks, employer, and everywhere else — in the right order.Read
- First-Year-of-Marriage Advice From Couples Who've Been ThereThe specific challenges of the first year of marriage: post-wedding drop-off, money conversations, household division, and how to protect the relationship you just committed to.Read
- The 12-Month Wedding Planning ChecklistA calm, month-by-month wedding planning checklist for every couple. Free printable timeline plus what to do 12, 9, 6, 3, and 1 month before.Read