Originally intended to track Social Security contributions, your nine-digit Social Security number now is used for a wide variety of purposes.
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Although some U.S. institutions will accept a taxpayer or employer identification number, virtually every major financial task in life — filing your taxes, opening a bank account, applying for a federal loan, passport, driver’s license or public assistance program, enrolling in Medicare, buying a car or home — requires you to present your Social Security card for identification and tracking purposes.
In the event of a name change, whether due to marriage, divorce or another reason, you need to notify the Social Security Administration of the change. You can apply to the SSA to have your name changed or corrected on your Social Security card, but you cannot do it online.
For a U.S.-born adult, you will need to present — either in person or by mail — at least two (not expired) original documents that verify your citizenship, name change and identity for your corrected Social Security card. The SSA might use one official form of ID, like a passport, for two purposes, but you are still required to show at least one more document.
Here are the accepted records you can use to prove your citizenship, name change and identity.
Citizenship:
U.S. birth certificate
U.S. passport
Name Change:
Marriage document
Divorce decree
Certificate of Naturalization showing the new name
Court order approving the name change
Identity
U.S. driver’s license
State-issued non-driver identification card
U.S. passport
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If you cannot provide the above, the SSA will ask for supporting documents, including:
Employee identification card
School identification card
Health insurance card (not Medicare)
U.S. military identification card
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Can I Change My Name on My Social Security Card Online?
If you change your name because of marriage, divorce or another reason, notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) as soon as possible so officials can update your file and send you a new Social Security card.
You'll need to fill out Form SS-5, the standard application for a Social Security card that you can download from the Social Security website. Mail the form or deliver it in person to your local Social Security office, along with original copies of documents proving your legal name change and your identity.
Local offices fully reopened April 7 after being closed to walk-in traffic for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Social Security recommends calling in advance and scheduling an appointment to avoid long waits. Evidence of the name change could be:
A marriage certificate.
A divorce decree.
A certificate of U.S. naturalization.
A court order granting the name change.
For proof of identity, provide an unexpired, government-issued photo ID such as:
A U.S. passport.
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A driver's license.
A state-issued ID card.
If you don't have one of these, Social Security also might accept a school, employer or military ID card or a health insurance card.
You also may need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship if that status is not already reflected in Social Security records. Acceptable documents include:
A U.S. birth certificate.
An unexpired U.S. passport.
A certification of naturalization.
A certificate of citizenship.
A U.S. consular report of birth abroad.
Noncitizens must provide immigration documents proving their identity and authorization to work in the United States, along with their foreign passport and a legal record of a name change. The SSA pamphlet "Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens" has details.
Your documents must be originals or certified copies from the agency that issued the original — for example, the county where you received your marriage license. Social Security will not accept photocopies or even notarized copies. The documents will be returned to you.
You will not be charged to apply for or receive the new card, which should arrive 10 to 14 days after your application is processed. Your Social Security number will not change.
The Social Security website has an interactive page with more detailed information on what you need to get a new card. For name-change requests, click the tab that says “Corrected” under “Type of card."
Keep in mind
Failing to notify the Social Security Administration of a name change can have significant consequences. If your legal name does not match the name on your Social Security record, it could prevent the agency from crediting earnings to you or cause delays in processing your tax return.
If you aren't changing your name but simply need to replace a lost or stolen Social Security card, you can request a new card online in most states, using your My Social Security account.