Name Change Roadmap · Step a of 5
Update Social Security (Form SS-5)
Social Security should be your FIRST stop after the court order. Most other agencies — DMV, passport, banks — verify your identity against SSA records, so updating SSA first prevents mismatches down the line.
How it works
File Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card) at any SSA office or by mail. Bring or mail your certified court order plus proof of identity. There is no fee. SSA typically processes updates in 7 to 10 business days.
Policy alert: As of January 2025, SSA has stopped processing gender marker corrections on Social Security records. You can still update your name, but the gender marker in SSA records will remain unchanged until policy changes. Verify current policy at ssa.gov.