How to Schedule a Social Security Name Change Appointment

Book your name change appointment at your local Social Security office by phone, online, or in person

To change your name with Social Security, you must schedule an appointment at a Social Security office. You can book this appointment three ways: by calling Social Security's national customer service line at 1-800-772-1213, by visiting your local office in person, or through your my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. When you call or book online, you will receive a specific date and time; if you walk in, you may wait several hours or be turned away if the office is at capacity.

You will need to bring documents to your appointment. Social Security requires proof of citizenship (a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers), proof of identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), and proof of the name change itself. Proof of the name change depends on why you changed your name: if you married, bring a marriage certificate; if you divorced, bring a divorce decree; if you changed your name by court order, bring the court order. Social Security will not accept photocopies — bring the original documents or certified copies.

Key Takeaways

• You can schedule a Social Security name change appointment by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local office, or booking online through your my Social Security account.
• Bring original or certified copies of proof of citizenship, proof of identity, and the document that shows your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
• Phone appointments are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time, and you will receive a specific appointment slot.
• If you walk in without an appointment, you may wait several hours or be asked to return another day if the office is busy.

Scheduling by phone

Calling 1-800-772-1213 is the most direct way to book an appointment. Have your Social Security number ready when you call. Tell the representative you need to change your name on your Social Security record. The representative will ask you a few questions to verify your identity, then offer you available appointment times at your nearest Social Security office. You can choose a date and time that works for you.

Wait times to reach a representative can be long, especially early in the week. If you reach a busy signal or long hold time, try calling later in the day or on a Thursday or Friday. The line closes at 7 p.m. Eastern time, so plan your call accordingly if you are in a time zone west of the East Coast.

Scheduling online through my Social Security

If you have a my Social Security account, you can book an appointment without calling. Log in at ssa.gov, select "Appointments" from the menu, and choose "Schedule an appointment." Select "Name change" as the reason for your visit. The system will show you available times at your local office and let you pick the one that suits you.

Creating a my Social Security account takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (usually a credit card or bank account). If you do not have an account yet, you can create one before scheduling, or you can call or visit in person instead.

Walking in without an appointment

You can visit your local Social Security office without scheduling ahead, but this approach has drawbacks. Offices serve walk-in visitors on a first-come, first-served basis after they finish scheduled appointments. During busy times, you may wait two to four hours or be told the office cannot see you that day and asked to return another time.

If you choose to walk in, arrive early in the morning when wait times are shortest. Bring all required documents with you. Ask the front desk staff how long the wait is before you sit down — if it is very long, you can ask whether you can schedule an appointment instead and come back at a set time.

What to expect at your appointment

When you arrive, check in at the front desk and give them your documents. A Social Security representative will call you to a window or private office. They will review your documents to confirm your identity and verify that your name change is legitimate. This usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. The representative will fill out the necessary forms and update your Social Security record.

You will receive a receipt showing that your name change has been processed. Your new Social Security card will arrive in the mail within two to three weeks. If you need your card sooner, ask the representative whether you can pick it up at the office instead — some offices offer this option, but not all.

Preparing your documents before your appointment

Gather your documents at least a few days before your appointment so you have time to get certified copies if you need them. If you have the original documents, bring those. If you only have photocopies, contact the agency that issued the document to request a certified copy: your county clerk's office for a birth certificate or marriage certificate, the court that issued your divorce decree or name change order, or your state's vital records office.

Certified copies usually cost between $5 and $25 and take one to two weeks to arrive by mail. Some agencies offer rush processing for an extra fee. If your appointment is coming up soon and you do not have certified copies, call Social Security to ask whether they will accept the originals or whether you need to reschedule.

If you cannot make your appointment

If you need to cancel or reschedule, call 1-800-772-1213 as soon as you know you cannot attend. If you booked online, you can also cancel through your my Social Security account. Canceling ahead of time frees up the slot for someone else and prevents a no-show on your record.

If you miss an appointment without canceling, you will need to call or book online again to schedule a new one. Repeated no-shows may result in Social Security asking you to reschedule further out or requiring you to call rather than book online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name at Social Security without an appointment?

You can walk in without an appointment, but you will likely wait several hours and may be turned away if the office is busy. Scheduling ahead guarantees you a specific time slot and a much shorter wait.

What if I do not have a certified copy of my marriage certificate?

Contact the county clerk's office where you were married to request a certified copy. This usually takes one to two weeks and costs $5 to $25. If your appointment is sooner, call Social Security to ask whether they will accept the original or whether you should reschedule.

How long does it take to get my new Social Security card after the appointment?

Your new card arrives by mail within two to three weeks. Some Social Security offices allow you to pick up your card at the office instead, which is faster — ask the representative at your appointment whether this is an option at your location.

Do I need to reschedule if I cannot attend my appointment?

Yes, call 1-800-772-1213 to cancel as soon as you know you cannot go. If you booked online, you can cancel through your my Social Security account. Canceling ahead prevents a no-show on your record and frees the slot for someone else.

What if I lost my original documents and cannot get certified copies in time?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and explain your situation. They may be able to reschedule your appointment to a later date, or they may have other options depending on your circumstances. Do not skip your appointment without calling first.