An individual may choose to change their legal name for many reasons including marriage, divorce, or even due to misspellings on original documentation. Individuals applying for naturalization also have the legal right to request a name change. To do this, they must first inform the immigration officer who is processing their naturalization application. For naturalized U.S. citizens, or other U.S. citizens born outside of the United States, Social Security will require proof of citizenship before processing a name change. If you are not yet a citizen of the United States but are undergoing the naturalization process, you must submit current immigration documents.

Anyone who desires to undergo a name change must inform the Social Security Administration office to remain in compliance with governmental regulations. It is important to have your updated name on your Social Security card. Before a name change is processed, Social Security requires proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status, as well as proof of name change and identity.

The following documents are accepted by Social Security as proof of a legal name change:

• Certificate of Naturalization (which displays the individual’s new name)
• Marriage license/documentation
• Divorce documentation
• Court order