One of the decisions you have to make if you’re getting married is if you’re going to change your name to represent your new union. While traditionally this meant that the wife would adopt her husband’s name, this isn’t something that’s necessarily relegated to just one spouse; in fact, many modern married couples may choose to hyphenate their last name to represent the union of two families into one.
Whatever the impetus behind the name change may be, it’s important to realize that a legal name change carries with it some important responsibilities. The most important of these is undoubtedly updating your name with the Social Security Administration – and making sure that you get a new, updated Social Security card with your new last name.
Gathering What You Need
The process for getting a replacement Social Security card isn’t necessarily a difficult one. While you can’t apply for a new or replacement card online – which means you’ll need to take your marriage certificate with your new last name to your local Social Security office either in person or through the mail. This, in addition to filling out a name change application form that can be easily downloaded and printed out, are the primary things you’ll need when it comes to requesting your new card. Doing it this way may take longer, but the process is free – making it a small price to pay to get your new card.
Of course, you may also need more documentation than just your application form and your marriage certificate. You may also need to prove your US citizenship or your identity in general. There are several documents that the SSA will accept as proof, such as a passport or a birth certificate for proof of citizenship and a state-issued driver’s license or non-driver’s ID card to verify identity. Once you have provided the SSA with everything they need to verify your identity, your US citizenship, and proof of your legal name change, you will be provided a new Social Security card through the mail.
Not Just for Marriages
Of course, not every trip to the Social Security office may be for a positive life event like getting married. If you lose your social security card, if it’s destroyed somehow, or if you are divorcing your spouse and wish to return to the last name you had prior to marriage, it’s highly recommended that you get a replacement Social Security card – even if you have your Social Security Number memorized.
The good news is that the process for replacing a lost or missing card is nearly identical to receiving a new card with an updated name after marriage. In fact, it actually requires less paperwork, as all you need to do is to fill out the application form and provide proof of your identity and US citizenship – no further documentation like a marriage certificate is needed, though if you want a replacement card after the dissolution of a marriage you will need your finalized divorce decree.
There’s further good news as well: like a name change for marriage, there’s no cost for a replacement card. However, you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and a total of 10 replacement cards over the course of your lifetime for lost or misplaced cards. Replacement cards associated with marriages, divorces, or other legal name changes don’t count towards this limit, which means that you should be covered for any eventuality.
Leona Martin says
I had NO idea you were limited to the number of replacement cards in a year or lifetime. I guess they have had issues w/ this in the past. Thankfully I still have mine and gosh it was easy to do the name switch even 18 years ago.
Sue says
Coming from Oz, I’m not 100% sure on how your social security system works. But if you can believe what’s shown on TV, it’s tied in with everything you do. So great info for an important part of every day life.
Bk Walker says
I did change my name when I got married, and it wasn’t as hard as I thought to do so. My daughter also needed a replacement SS card, and again not as hard as you would think. Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
Sonya says
Wow, interesting read! I’m from the UK, I found this interesting.
Heather says
I know too well about getting mine changed. I did it smoothly when I got married. Recently I looked for months and couldn’t find it so I thought I was going to have to get another, but thankfully, I found it.
And my office is spotless thanks to my declutter party.
Great post.
Carol Rundle says
Thanks for letting people know that it’s an easy process. Brides have so many things to think about and juggle, it’s nice to know that this to-do isn’t so hard!
Scott says
Goes to show there is a lot of responsibility with getting married…and you detailed a good example of one of the many things that needs to be taken seriously. Great article! 🙂
Vickie Maris says
Some very interesting and helpful facts to know about social security cards in the US and how to get one replaced or to get a name changed. Thanks for sharing this!
Lisa Swanson says
Ive had my Soc. Sec . Card memorized for years. It never occurred to me to have a copy
kristine says
While Social Security numbers are used for many things (tax returns, applying for loans, etc.) you will rarely if ever need a copy of your actual Social Security card. However, there are certain instances where you will need to provide your actual card, not just the number. Applying for a passport or a new job are just a few examples. In that case, at least you know it’s easy to get a replacement card!
Delia @ Happy Blogger Plaza says
It’s similar in Canada with the SIN number. Definitely a great idea to keep it safe as you don’t need it every day but you do want to know where it is in situations you need to present it.
Thanks for the tips!
Jackie Harder says
I’ve been married twice (two and through, I always say!) and changed my Social Security account name once. That was a looooong time ago and I don’t remember anything about it. What really scares me about Social Security cards is how older people will carry them around in their wallets as a form of identification.
Roslyn Tanner Evans says
So glad you wrote this post. I remarried after retirement & decided not to change my name with ss. I didn’t trust the govt agency I worked for to get it right & didnt want any snafus with my checks.