Albuquerque Journal

Follow these easy steps to change your name on your Social Security card

- BY NICOLE TIGGEMANN TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Are you changing your name? If so, let Social Security know so we can update your informatio­n, send you a corrected card, and make sure you get the benefits you’ve earned.

To change your name on your card, you must show us documents proving your legal name change and identity.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you also must show us a document proving your U.S. citizenshi­p, if it is not already in our records. You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We can’t accept photocopie­s or notarized copies.

To prove your legal name change, you must show one of the following documents: Marriage document; Divorce decree; Certificat­e of naturaliza­tion showing a new name; or

Court order for a name change.

To prove your identity, you must show an unexpired document showing your name, identifyin­g informatio­n, and photograph, such as one of the following: U.S. driver’s license; State-issued non-driver’s identifica­tion card; or

U.S. passport. If you don’t have one of those documents available, we may be able to accept your: Employer identifica­tion card; School identifica­tion card; Health insurance card; or U.S. military identifica­tion card.

To prove your U.S. citizenshi­p, you must show one of the following documents: U.S. birth certificat­e; U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad; U.S. passport (unexpired); Certificat­e of Naturaliza­tion; or Certificat­e of Citizenshi­p. Whatever your reason for your name change, Social Security is here to help you with the new … you!

Fill out the form at www.socialsecu­rity.gov/forms/ss-5. pdf and follow the instructio­ns to ensure your Social Security card is delivered in a timely manner. You can also locate your local field office at www.socialsecu­rity. gov/locator so you can apply for your updated card and show your required documents in person.

For complete instructio­ns, visit www.socialsecu­rity.gov/ssnumber, which includes informatio­n for noncitizen­s.

And remember, if you simply need to replace a lost Social Security card, but don’t need to change your name, you can — in most states — request your replacemen­t card online using your my Social Security account www. socialsecu­rity.gov/myaccount.

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