There are various circumstances in life that are changing and whatever your need, there are those who require a change to be made to your name as it appears on your Social Security card, which is distributed by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
If it is what you want to do, don’t worry, the SSA allows it, although nobody said that this process will be simple and immediate. And it is necessary to be clear that the Social Security card is used for an infinity of processes within the country, such as filing taxes, opening bank accounts, applying for a federal loan, processing your passport, your driver’s license. or even to participate in a public assistance program.
So it goes without saying how important it is that all your data is correct, mainly your name. In the event that you require a name change, either because your marital status has just changed (due to marriage or divorce) or any other personal instance,o The first thing you should do is notify the SSA so you can make the change.
This is one of the few procedures that cannot be done online, so you must go to an office in person to start the process. If you are an adult and were born in the United States, you must present at least two original documents that are valid and that serve to prove your nationality, your change of name and identity so that your Social Security card is corrected.
What are the documents accepted by the SSA
To prove your citizenship they allow you to present your US birth certificate and your US passport.
To check why do you need to change your name You can present proof of marriage, a divorce decree, a naturalization certificate showing your new name, or a court order approving your name change.
To prove your identitythe SSA allows you to present your United States driver’s license, a non-driver identification card that has been issued by a state, and they also accept your United States passport.
“To change the name on your card, you have to show us documents that prove or show evidence of your legal change of name and identity. You also have to present a document that proves that you are a US citizen, if we do not already have you in our records, “explains the SSA website.
Add that you have to submit original documents or certified copies by the same agency that was in charge of issuing them. No photocopies or notarized copies will be accepted. It is not specified how long it takes for SSA to make the change.
If you have questions, you can call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 and press 7 for help in Spanish or call 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) if you are deaf or hard of hearing.
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