Name Change: Social Security Documents

Idk where this myth that the SSA takes all day comes from.

I was in and out in 15 minutes. Nobody I know was there for hours.

I was wondering the same thing. It's a little confusing because it says you can mail it in but you need your ID and you can't give copies.

I also heard it's a really quick process if you go down there, though.

You need certified documents, they won't accept any non-certified copies.

If you mail the documents I believe they mail them back to you, but I imagine the process takes much longer that way than just going to the SSA and DMV (you can't request a name change remotely, you HAVE to go in person, at least in CA where I live).

ETA the DMV took about 1.5 hours (no appointment), vs 45 mins at SSA.

My name was called before I started filling out the paperwork. Took me 10 minutes.

LG, the one in my city takes all day. The line is wrapped around the building almost every morning and you have to find a different parking lot to park in.

It's a nightmare. Guess it just depends where you are.

I still haven't changed my last name, but plan to do it by mail or drive to one of the cities on the outskirts.

MMB I tried to go one other time to the one in my city for another reason and there were probably 100 people in line in middle of the afternoon on a weekday, I think you're right. I was hoping to mail my documents in, but I hate to send something like my passport in and not get it back for some reason... Hoping maybe we get a day off when I can sit there all day lol!

Are you in a big city? Are there any smaller towns that you can drive to?

A friend of mine did that and said she was in and out in like 10 minutes. That's probably what I'll end up doing.

You can get extra copies of your marriage certificate from the town/city you were issued one. I bought 2 copies and was given one for free so that I can mail in an original. My JP told me that they mail back your original certificates.

The SS office was the quickest process. In NY you need originals and I went before work one day. I was in/out in less than 10 mins. I also don't get how the name change process in general is a legthy process. Mail the passport application, go to the dmv and ss office in person, and everything else can be changed online.

Btw, there was a line around the ss office when I went too. I waited in line (5 mins) only to find out it was for all non card related services. Ask security when you get there and they can inform you if you need to wait in line.

We got married in Arizona and for us we just tore off the piece at the bottom of the marriage license and sent it to the court to file (idk if this is how every state is) and purchased a certified copy (we just got this a week ago- address change issues - but it would've otherwise gotten to us a month after the wedding). Since we didn't have the certified copy we just used our original and brought it into the social security office with us. It only took like 30 min (small town perks I guess) and then again took the original and the social security document to the DMV. Nobody had any issues with it being the original copy and not the certified copy. We then used my new drivers license and original marriage license to change my name at the bank and at my work. It wasn't too terrible of a process. I haven't changed my passport yet tho- that's my next task.

Hi - I used to work at the SS many many many moons ago in high school and I actually processed all the mail in requests. Yes, you have to send in the actual document (driver's license or passport), which is crazy pants to me. I remember all these people mailing in these important pieces of ID and was like really?! I can't imagine it's changed, since it's the government, but this was like 20 years ago (yikes, I'm old now). We did mail them back.....but I'm not sure I would actually trust Federal employees to not screw it up.

I didn't trust mailing my documents so I went in person. I was there for about 2 hours. It's probably quicker in smaller towns.

I'm in Mass....I decided to send in my application, certified marriage license and passport by certified mail. It took a few weeks but I got my new SS card and passport back. I'm off to DMV next. :+)

I'm from Wisconsin. It took me about 30 minutes. In Wisconsin we needed certified copies of the marriage certificate. In addition we needed a birth certificate. I didn't know that so I just tried without that and they did it. They did warn me that it could take up to 48 hours to change the name in the system so if you are changing your name at the DMV wait at least 24 hours. The dmv was longer than social security. It really isn't a big deal to change your name at social security. It's pretty easy. Just get their as early as you can!

I actually went to the SS office. I was in and out in about an hour. I live in a busy city and the line was long. Wasn't too bad though in hindsight! Afterwards I went to a tag agency to get my name changed on my drivers license... in my state you show your marriage license, and fill out a form, and boom, done! Took literally 5 minutes.

Changing my name on other stuff was easy. Did it on a separate day.

I think it's a quick process in person

I just started the process today. I was in and out in 40 minutes. you do need certified copies of your marriage license and you drivers license. also make sure you have your social security card because they will take it.

You can probably be in and out on your lunch break, doing it in person is easy and fast.

I went today actually. I'm in a fairly large city, but I was in and out in about 20 minutes. I got there about 20 minutes before they closed, so that may have helped. It was super simple though and I would rather wait a little there than mail everything and risk it getting lost. They also said I could go to the DMV tomorrow and it should be fine.