To change the name on a Social Security card, an application must be filled out and proper identification and proof of citizenship or immigration status provided. The name change will not affect the Social Security number. Proof of name change, such as a marriage certificate, may be required. Applications and instructions can be found online or at a local Social Security office. Some areas may require documents to be mailed or brought to a Social Security Card Center.
In the event of a marriage, divorce, or other circumstance involving a legal name change, a person will need to change their Social Security card name. Changing the name on a Social Security card can help ensure that employment earnings are properly reported and tax returns are paid in a timely manner. To change the name of the Social Security card, a person must fill out an application, which can be obtained online or at a local Social Insurance office. Changing the name on a Social Security card will not change the person’s Social Security number, only the name under which that number appears.
Along with the application, the person changing their Social Security card name may also need to provide officials with proper identification, as well as proof of citizenship or immigration status. If the National Insurance office does not have a record of an applicant’s citizenship, they should provide documentation to prove it. If the applicant is not a citizen, the office may request proof of immigration status. An example of proper documentation includes a naturalization certificate. For those who are not citizens, the office may request documents such as foreign passports and immigration documents.
A person may also need to establish his identity and the fact that his name has changed in order to change his Social Security card name. To do this, you usually need to provide proof that your name has changed. For example, a woman can use a marriage certificate. In cases where the document is more than two years old — four years for children — or where the documents do not fully establish identity, another form of identification may be required. All documents used to establish identity, name change, or immigration status must be originals or official copies authorized by the person assigned to hold the original document.
In many cases, applications and detailed instructions for which documents are needed can be found online and printed at home, then mailed or delivered in person to the local Social Security office. The address, telephone number and hours of operation of your local insurance offices can also be found online or in a telephone directory. In some areas, including Brooklyn, NY; Queens, New York; Orlando, Florida; Sacramento County, California; Phoenix, Arizona (Maricopa County and Apache Junction area); Las Vegas, Nevada; o Greater Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, the application and documents must be mailed or brought in person to a Social Security Card Center, rather than the Social Security office.
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