TN 17 (01-24)
RM 10212.025 Evidence of Name Change based on a US Ceremonial Marriage
Accept all marriage documents issued within the 50 U.S. States, Washington, D.C.,
Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
Generally, all States recognize the validity of opposite-sex marriages performed in
other U.S. States. Therefore, when a person marries in one State and applies in another
State to change their name on the SSA record, assume the marriage is recognized, and
accept all marriage documents
issued by U.S. States.
The term “marriage records” refers to the original marriage record kept by the official
custodian. “Marriage documents” refers to the means by which a marriage record is
documented. Marriage certificates, souvenir certificates, and certified copies of
marriage records are considered marriage documents and acceptable evidence of a name
change. Do not require a certified copy of a State-issued marriage record if a marriage
certificate (e.g., original certificate of marriage issued by the entity that performed
the marriage) is submitted. For a description of acceptable forms of evidence, see
RM 10210.085.
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RM 10212.055, Evidence Required to Process a Name Change on the SSN based on Marriage, Civil Union,
or Domestic Partnership