Just Married? Need to Change your Name?
Date:
Dear Colleague,
Have any of your clients recently gotten married? Congratulations! They may be able to complete, or at least start, their application online.
If they got married in one of the 21 participating states, they may be able to complete the process online! When your clients visit our Change name with Social Security webpage, they can answer a series of questions that will determine whether they can complete the application process online or start the application online, then bring any required documents to their local Social Security office or card center to complete the application. If your client is unable to use the online application, they can visit a local Social Security office to complete the application.
They should wait at least 30 days after the date of the marriage to request a replacement card with a name change. This allows the state time to update its records.
They will need to have their marriage certificate and proof of identification available when using our online application. The current participating states are Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This list will grow as we continue to work to include more states.
If your client starts their application online and we determine they need to come into the office, they may be eligible to use our new Online Self-Scheduling option. Scheduling online can save your client time when they visit us to complete the application. This option allows them to:
- Select their language preference.
- Select the most convenient office to receive service.
- Choose to receive communications via email or text.
- Choose to receive email or text appointment reminders.
- Conveniently use their mobile device to check in for their appointment.
They can also reschedule, modify, or cancel their appointment online without having to call or visit the office.
Please share this important information with your members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties.
Sincerely,
Dawn Bystry
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
OEA.Net.Post@ssa.gov