RM 10212.010 Evidence of a Name Change on the SSN

The following chart lists events that are a basis for a name change and gives the appropriate policy reference for determining which document is acceptable evidence of the name change event. To determine whether the submitted document is acceptable for a name change on the SSN card, use the reference provided. All documents submitted for a name change must be reviewed under the SSN evidence guidelines described in RM 10210.210.

For situations where a name correction is needed (e.g., a spouse decides to resume maiden name) and no legal name change event has occurred, see RM 10212.150.

Document	Reference
US ceremonial marriage	RM 10212.025
US common law marriage	RM 10212.030
US recognized same-sex marriage	RM 10212.035
US recognized civil union	RM 10212.040
US recognized domestic partnerships	RM 10212.045
Foreign marriage or foreign recognized same-sex marriage	RM 10212.050
US or foreign divorce or annulment	RM 10212.060
U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570)	RM 10212.070
US court order for a name change	RM 10212.080
US State amended/corrected birth certificate	RM 10212.090
Canadian issued document	RM 10212.096
U.S. Tribal document	RM 10212.099

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212010

RM 10212.010 - Evidence of a Name Change on the SSN - 10/25/2010
Batch run: 02/07/2025
Rev:10/25/2010

Social Security

Program Operations Manual System (POMS)

RM 10212.010 Evidence of a Name Change on the SSN