The Social Safety Administration (SSA) requires you to fill out a kind and supply proof of your id and identify change to replace your Social Safety card. There are 3 ways to request a reputation change in your card, and you may get a brand new card at no cost.
What it is advisable to change your identify in your Social Safety card
You’ll want up-to-date data, and so they have to be authentic paperwork or copies that had been licensed by the company that issued them. Typically, you may’t present expired documentation. Photocopies gained’t work.
Proof of id
As a result of a Social Safety card is a authorized file, you’ll have to show you’re who you say you’re. Such a doc or file ought to embody figuring out data, comparable to your date of delivery. The SSA additionally prefers that the documentation features a current {photograph}. You should utilize a:
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Nondriver ID card issued by your state.
In case you don’t have any of these data accessible, you may ask to make use of a special type of ID, comparable to one issued by your college or employer, or a medical insurance card.
Proof of identify change
You’ll have to show to the SSA that you’ve got legally modified your identify. To take action, present documentation that reveals why you’re altering your identify, comparable to a:
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Courtroom order displaying the authorised identify change.
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Certificates of naturalization with the brand new identify.
🤓Nerdy Tip
In case you modified your identify on different documentation greater than two years in the past, you’ll want to offer data that use your earlier identify. Individuals underneath 18 years of age have a grace interval of 4 years earlier than this requirement kicks in.
Proof of citizenship
In case you haven’t offered proof of citizenship to the SSA earlier than, you’ll want to offer documentation displaying your citizenship standing. You should utilize a U.S. delivery certificates or U.S. passport.
How one can replace your Social Safety card
There are 3 ways to submit a request to vary your identify in your Social Safety card. All three use the identical software.
Submitting a request on-line
You’ll be able to submit a request on-line to vary your identify in your Social Safety card should you’re not less than 18 years outdated and have a U.S. mailing handle. The web system walks you thru the method by asking you one query at a time and alerting you if any of your solutions requires you to use in particular person.
When you’ve submitted your request on-line, you’ll want to offer proof of id. This have to be finished in particular person at both an SSA workplace or a Social Safety card middle inside 45 days of submitting your software.
To request a reputation change on-line:
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Choose the “Apply Now” button.
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Learn the Privateness Act Assertion, and choose the “Subsequent” button.
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Reply the required questions, that are adopted by a pink asterisk. Choose the “Subsequent” button to submit your solutions and transfer to every new query.
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For the questions concerning race and ethnicity, select whether or not you wish to reply them. These questions are elective and don’t have an effect on your software being authorised.
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For documentation, select the varieties of data you propose to offer and fill out the suitable data for every one.
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The following web page gives a abstract of your data. Assessment it and make edits as wanted. If every thing appears good, choose the “Subsequent” button.
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On the ultimate web page, learn the data and verify the field to indicate that you simply perceive submit your documentation. When you’ve checked the field, choose the “Submit Software Bundle” button. Your software gained’t be submitted on-line should you skip this step.
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Collect the required documentation to show your id and identify change.
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Take the documentation to an SSA workplace inside 45 days to finish your software.
Printing out the appliance
In case you want to fill out a conventional kind or can’t full the net software, you may obtain the appliance and do it offline. To do that:
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Determine the way you wish to fill it out: Obtain it and fill it out on a pc earlier than printing it or print it first and fill it out by hand. Directions for full the shape are on Web page 3 of the doc.
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Collect the required documentation to show your id and identify change.
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Both mail the packet to an SSA workplace or go in particular person to submit your software and documentation.
Whereas the company will return any data you ship, think about using licensed copies to keep away from shedding an authentic doc in case your packet is misplaced.
Visiting a neighborhood SSA workplace
You’ll be able to full your entire course of in particular person at an SSA workplace should you’d want to have somebody show you how to. However the SSA warns that some places of work may be too busy to see you a similar day, and you could have to schedule an appointment . You’ll be able to seek for the closest workplace at SSA.gov.
To make the method as simple as doable:
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Get the required documentation collectively to show your id and identify change.
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Find the closest SSA workplace.
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Name the SSA workplace to search out out should you want an appointment and to be taught what the common wait time is.
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Take your documentation to the SSA workplace and fill out an software in particular person when somebody is ready to see you.
Causes to vary your identify in your Social Safety card
It’s good to maintain the SSA updated should you change your identify for any cause. The next are causes you’re prone to want a brand new identify in your Social Safety card.
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You bought divorced and wish to return to your earlier identify.
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You don’t wish to be related together with your delivery or household identify for private causes.
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You now establish your self with a brand new identify. For instance, you transitioned and now establish as a special gender than what was assigned at delivery.
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You needed to amend or right your delivery certificates.
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You latterly grew to become a U.S. citizen.
Execs and cons of adjusting your identify in your Social Safety card
The advantages of adjusting the identify in your Social Safety card embody:
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Your authorities and nongovernment data will match to keep away from points with proving your id sooner or later.
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Authorities businesses may have the identical identify on file, which may keep away from points like your tax refund being delayed.
However there are a couple of downsides to altering your identify in your Social Safety card:
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It’s important to replace quite a lot of data, probably together with employment data, voter registration, insurance coverage insurance policies, utility and mortgage accounts, deeds, bank card accounts, credit score reviews, and physician and pharmacy data.
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You’ll should get new bodily IDs, together with your driver’s license and passport.
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In case you file your taxes earlier than your identify change is full, your tax return might be affected.
Getting assist with updating your Social Safety card
When you’ve got hassle finishing the appliance, you may name the SSA at 800-772-1213 and inform them you need assistance changing your Social Safety card. Its workplace is open Monday via Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Help is offered in English and different languages.
In case you’re laborious of listening to or deaf, you may name the SSA at TTY 800-325-0778 for help.
How lengthy does it take to vary your identify in your Social Safety card?
Will I get a brand new Social Safety quantity if I modify my identify?
Which businesses do I have to notify of a reputation change?
Will altering my identify have an effect on my eligibility for Social Safety advantages?