Effective Dates: 06/10/2024 - Present Previous | Next

TN 21 (06-24)

RM 10212.020 Evidence Required to Process a Name Change on the SSN When Evidence of Identity in the New Name Only is Submitted

Some name change requests may be based on acceptable name change documents that are not acceptable evidence of identity because they are too old or do not show sufficient biographical information. In these situations evidence of identity is required in addition to the name change document. Generally, we ask for evidence of identity in the prior name, to link the NH and new name to the Numident. However, we can accept evidence of identity in the new name under certain conditions. This section explains under what conditions evidence of identity in the new name is acceptable when the name change document alone is not sufficient to process a name change.

A. Evidence of name change event and new name

Always require acceptable evidence of

  • •

    the name change event, and

  • •

    new name (name to be shown on SSN card).

B. Evidence of identity in the new name

Evidence of identity in the new name (to be shown on the SSN card) which meets the requirements of RM 10210.405 can be used to process the name change when:

  1. 1. 

    the name change document (e.g., marriage document) shows the prior name that agrees with the latest Numident record (e.g., maiden name). When the prior name shown on the name change document does not agree with the name on the latest Numident record, request prior name change documents to establish a link between the name shown on the name change document and the latest Numident record; and

  2. 2. 

    the following identifying information from the latest Numident record propagated into the Enumeration system matches the information provided by the applicant and shown on the documents submitted:

    • •

      SSN,

    • •

      name(s) on latest Numident record,

    • •

      date of birth,

    • •

      place of birth,

    • •

      parents’ names

NOTE: Consider the identifying information to match if there are minor spelling errors, parent’s birth name is incorrect or unknown, or place of birth provided is County of birth instead of city.

C. Example of name change based on marriage with evidence of identity in the new name

Sue Johnson has been married for over 30 years. Recently, Sue learned that the last name in our records was not updated to Sue's spouse’s last name (the name Sue has been using since marriage) when the DMV was unsuccessful at electronically verifying Sue's name and SSN. In addition, Sue Johnson recently applied for spouse’s benefits, and SSA confirmed that the last name had never been changed in our records.

The name on the latest Numident record is Sue Davis. Sue Johnson alleges not having any evidence of identity in the prior name. All of Sue's identity documents are now in the married name, including the driver’s license. Sue submits evidence of the name change event, a marriage document. The new name (Johnson) can be derived from the marriage document. Since the marriage took place over two years ago, Sue Johnson must submit evidence of identity in addition to the marriage document.

In this situation, apply the evidence of identity in new name criteria to determine if the name change can be processed:

  1. 1. 

    The marriage document shows Sue Davis married Al Johnson;

  2. 2. 

    The driver’s license is in the new name, Sue Johnson; and

  3. 3. 

    All of the identifying information (SSN, names on prior records, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ names), based on Sue's allegation and the driver license and marriage document, matches the latest Numident record.

We can process the name change.

D. Example of name change based on divorce with evidence of identity in the new name

Laura Brooks wants to receive an SSN card in the name Brooks. Laura submits evidence of a name change event, a divorce decree. Laura's last name was changed on the Social Security card from the maiden name (Brooks) to the spouse’s last name (Thompson) soon after marriage but never changed it back to the maiden name (Brooks) after the divorce. The divorce decree does not specify the new name or provide any identifying information. Laura's Numident record shows a prior card was issued in the name Laura Brooks, which can be used to establish the new name. Since the divorce does not meet the criteria for evidence of identity for the number holder, evidence of identity in addition to the name change document is required to process the name change.

Laura Brooks never used the spouse’s last name and alleges not having identity documents in the name listed on the latest Numident record (the married name of Thompson). Laura never changed the last name to the married name on the driver’s license and is now having problems renewing it because the DMV cannot verify Laura's name and SSN in “Brooks” because the SSN record is still showing the married last name, Thompson.

In this situation, apply the evidence of identity in new name criteria to determine if the name change can be processed:

  1. 1. 

    The divorce decree indicates the marriage between Laura Thompson and Brad Thompson has been dissolved. The divorce decree shows the prior name as shown on the latest Numident record;

  2. 2. 

    The driver’s license is in the new name, Laura Brooks; and

  3. 3. 

    All of Laura’s identifying information on the latest Numident record (SSN, names on prior records, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ names) matches the allegation and data shown on the divorce decree and driver license.

We can process the name change.

E. Example of name change when the prior name on the marriage document doesn’t match the Numident record

Amy George married Jim Ford in 2007 and wants to change the surname listed in our records to Ford. Prior to Amy’s marriage to Jim, Amy previously married and divorced Ben Smith and then married and divorced Joe George. The name on Amy’s latest Numident record (Amy Smith) does not match the prior name on the presented marriage document (Amy George) because Amy only updated the information in our records to reflect the name change to Smith because of Amy's marriage to Ben. Amy didn’t update the information in our records to reflect the divorce from Ben or the marriage to Joe or the subsequent divorce from Joe. As a result, Amy's prior name shown on the current marriage document does not agree with the name shown on the latest Numident record.

To link the name on the name change document (Amy George) to the name on the latest Numident record (Amy Smith), Amy submits the prior divorce decrees to show that the marriage to Ben Smith and the marriage to Joe George have been dissolved. These prior name change documents were also required to establish a link between the surname on the latest Numident record (Smith) and the prior surname shown on the name change documents (George).

In addition to Amy's current marriage document, Amy also submits an identity document (current driver’s license) in the new name because the name change documents do not meet the criteria to also serve as acceptable evidence of identity for the number holder (marriage occurred over 2 years ago).

In this situation apply the evidence of identity in new name criteria to determine if the name change can be processed.

  1. 1. 

    The new name can be derived from the marriage document. While the prior name shown on the current marriage document does not agree with the latest Numident record, the prior divorce decrees link the name shown on the current marriage document and the latest Numident record;

  2. 2. 

    The divorce decrees show that both of the prior marriages have been dissolved;

  3. 3. 

    The driver’s license is in the new name Amy Ford; and

  4. 4. 

    All of Amy’s identifying information on the latest Numident record (SSN, names on prior records, date of birth, place of birth, parents names) matches the allegation and the data shown on the marriage certificate, divorce decrees and the driver’s license.

We can process the name change.

NOTE: When processing the request in SSNAP use the Other Names Used field and the Remarks field to document the prior names and evidence submitted to link all the names.

F. Reference

  • •

    RM 10212.055, Evidence Required to Process a Name Change based on Marriage, Civil Union, or Domestic Partnership

  • •

    RM 10212.065, Evidence Required to Process a Name Change based on Divorce, Dissolution or Annulment on the SSN

  • •

    RM 10212.070, Evidence Required to Process a Name Change based on Naturalization

  • •

    RM 10212.085, Evidence Required to Process a Name Change based on a US Court Order Name Change

  • •

    RM 10212.095, Evidence Required to Process a Name Change based on a US Issued Amended or Corrected Birth Certificate

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212020
RM 10212.020 - Evidence Required to Process a Name Change on the SSN When Evidence of Identity in the New Name Only is Submitted - 06/10/2024
Batch run: 02/07/2025
Rev:06/10/2024