Is it free to change your name with Social Security?

Yes. Form SS-5 is free, your number stays the same, and you can file it yourself with the official form.

Can I change my name with Social Security online?

Online works only if your marriage certificate is from one of 21 states and you're a U.S. citizen, 18 or over, with a my Social Security account and a driver's license or state ID, at least 30 days after the wedding. Otherwise, mail the form or book an appointment at an office. The 21 states are 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.

What documents do I need to change my name with Social Security?

Your marriage certificate: the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy. Your driver's license, state ID or U.S. passport. If you married more than two years ago, an ID in your old name too (an expired one is fine).

How long does the new Social Security card take?

The card comes by mail 5 to 10 business days after Social Security finishes.

Do I change my name with Social Security before my driver's license?

Do it first. Other agencies check your name with Social Security, and your tax return must match it. 19 of the 35 states on our state pages say the license office wants Social Security updated first, and the list is further down this page.

Do I get a new Social Security number after marriage?

No. Your number stays the same. Only the name on the card changes.

What if I married more than two years ago?

You can still change your name. Social Security also wants an ID in your old name (an expired one is fine), as well as your certificate and a current ID.

Social Security name change after marriage: the SS-5, box by box

Social Security comes first: other agencies check your name with it, and your tax return must match it. The form is free and your number stays the same.

General information, not legal advice. Rules change, and the official page has the final word. Checked October 16, 2026.

Keep your number to yourself

This page never asks for your Social Security number, and there is no form to fill in here. Use the official form, and write your number on that paper copy only. Merriwell doesn't host, fill in or send the form for you.

The short version

Form: SS-5, free.
Your number stays the same.
Time: The card comes by mail 5 to 10 business days after Social Security finishes.

What to take:

Your marriage certificate: the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy
Your driver's license, state ID or U.S. passport
If you married more than two years ago, an ID in your old name too (an expired one is fine)

The official SS-5 form (PDF) · Social Security's page on changing your name

Official page · Checked October 16, 2026

The online route

Online works only if your marriage certificate is from one of 21 states and you're a U.S. citizen, 18 or over, with a my Social Security account and a driver's license or state ID, at least 30 days after the wedding. Otherwise, mail the form or book an appointment at an office.

It depends on where your marriage certificate is from, not where you live now. The 21 states are:

Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

If your license office has a short deadline and wants Social Security first, don't wait the 30 days: use the paper form and go in person. Each state page says where that applies.

Form SS-5, box by box

The items that matter for a marriage name change, numbered as on the current form (edition 12-2024). The form's own instructions have the final word.

Item 1: Name to be shown on card: Your new name (first, full middle name, last), the way you want it on the card. Below it, "Full name at birth if other than above" and "Other names used": your birth name and any other names you've used.
Item 2: Social Security number previously assigned: The form asks for your number. Write it on your own paper copy only. Merriwell never asks for it, so never type it into this site or send it to us.
Items 3 to 5: Place of birth, date of birth, citizenship: As they are on your record. Items 6 and 7 (ethnicity and race) are voluntary.
Items 9 and 10: Parents' names: Your parents' names. Their Social Security numbers (9B and 10B) are needed only for an original card for a child under 18.
Items 11 and 12: Earlier cards: You've had a card before, so answer "Yes" to item 11, then write the name shown on your most recent card in item 12: your name before this change.
Items 14 to 16: Today's date, phone and mailing address: Use an address where you can get mail 7 to 14 days from now: the new card comes there.
Items 17 and 18: Signature and relationship: Sign it yourself in item 17, and tick "Self" in item 18.

States where the license office wants Social Security first

On our state pages, the license office in these states wants your Social Security update before it will change your license. Each page has the fee, the deadline and the documents.

How to change your name with Social Security in 5 steps

Order a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Social Security wants the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy. Married more than two years ago? Bring an ID in your old name too (an expired one is fine).
Check whether you can apply online. Online works only if your marriage certificate is from one of 21 states and you're a U.S. citizen, 18 or over, with a my Social Security account and a driver's license or state ID, at least 30 days after the wedding. Otherwise, mail the form or book an appointment at an office.
Fill in form SS-5. Go through the form box by box with the guide on this page. It's free and your number stays the same.
Hand it in with your documents. Take your certified copy and your current ID, and add the ID in your old name if you married more than two years ago.
Wait for your new card. The card comes by mail 5 to 10 business days after Social Security finishes. Then update your driver's license: some states want Social Security first.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to change your name with Social Security?: Yes. Form SS-5 is free, your number stays the same, and you can file it yourself with the official form.
Can I change my name with Social Security online?: Online works only if your marriage certificate is from one of 21 states and you're a U.S. citizen, 18 or over, with a my Social Security account and a driver's license or state ID, at least 30 days after the wedding. Otherwise, mail the form or book an appointment at an office. The 21 states are 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.
What documents do I need to change my name with Social Security?: Your marriage certificate: the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy. Your driver's license, state ID or U.S. passport. If you married more than two years ago, an ID in your old name too (an expired one is fine).
How long does the new Social Security card take?: The card comes by mail 5 to 10 business days after Social Security finishes.
Do I change my name with Social Security before my driver's license?: Do it first. Other agencies check your name with Social Security, and your tax return must match it. 19 of the 35 states on our state pages say the license office wants Social Security updated first, and the list is further down this page.
Do I get a new Social Security number after marriage?: No. Your number stays the same. Only the name on the card changes.
What if I married more than two years ago?: You can still change your name. Social Security also wants an ID in your old name (an expired one is fine), as well as your certificate and a current ID.

The name change checklist Passport name change guide