Identification documents for a Social Security Name Change

In addition to showing Social Security a legal document proving your name change reason, you must provide an identity document, in the event of a name change caused by marriage, divorce, or annullment. That document must show your old name, as well as other identifying information or a recent photograph. (An expired document can be accepted as evidence of your old name.)

In teh event of a name change caused by adoption, nationalization, or a court change of name, you will need to provide two identity documents, one of which should be in your old name (can be expired), and one in your new name (cannot be expired). Both of these documents must show identifying information or a recent photograph.

If you are a U.S. citizen born outside the United States and the records do not show you are a citizen, you will need to provide proof of your U.S. citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your current immigration documents.