Changing of name during pandemic

I just did this! I made sure to get tracking on the letter when I sent it, so I knew when it arrived. The SS office sent all my documents back about a week later. A day after that I got a letter saying my new card was coming and my new card arrived a couple days later. I was worried sending everything through the mail, but it all worked out!

I also applied through snail mail and was a bit worried. I am in Dallas, TX and the turnaround time has not been nearly as quick. I would say in total it will be 3 wks before I get my card. I did recieve my passport and marriage cert back and called today and they said I should have my card by Monday. As the other poster mentioned, I made sure to have some sort of tracking and I think they had to sign for it.

I am having the same problem here in CT! The SS office is an endless loop of options and then it hangs up on me. I am also worried about sending in my official documents and drivers license no matter how quick the turn around.

I would call your local office and see what you actually need to send.


I’m in Illinois and they only needed the completed form and our marriage license. I doubled checked about identification, but since the marriage was less than 2 years ago, they’re counting the marriage license as the identification.

I'm in NJ and just called about this. They told me to send in SS5 form and marriage certificate.

Does anyone know if you need to have a “valid” license? Mine is set to expire soon, but I’m hoping Covid circumstances will cut me a break so I don’t have to renew this month then renew two weeks later when we are married in August.

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I am terrified to do it by mail but I need to get it done and over with. Do you have any idea on how you go about changing your name on your passport?

View Quoted Comment Here's the link for changing a passport: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/change-correct.html

I haven't done that yet, so I'm not too helpful.

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When I called my local SS office, they told me to ONLY send my marriage license and the SS card application. I asked the gentleman 3 separate times. Call your office and ask what they require, since your local one is where you'll mail it.

I’m in Texas and they require you to mail in a marriage license (certified copy) and an original identity document (driver’s license, passport, or medical record signed by a doctor, plus a few other options—but it has to have your physical description on it). They denied my application the first time because the medical record I sent in was electronically signed by the doctor and they said I had to mail in one with a physical signature and a stamp. I gave up and mailed in my driver’s license last week (with the marriage cert and the application), and I’m waiting to hear back. The first time they sent my documents back really quickly, but this time I still don’t have them and they received everything exactly a week ago. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly this time.


Next hurdle: changing the name on my driver’s license (also a pain since the TX DMV is on an appointment-only system for limited services). Name change isn’t listed as one of those services but I scheduled an appointment anyway, so we’ll see how that goes.

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Thank you so much!

Use Newly Named ( https://newlynamed.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwupD4BRD4ARIsABJMmZ-eiiRxArPdMJC_93_TeR6OkSlHXFm0IwT14yAY6UzRhdF9ckfNHHgaAuWgEALw_wcB ) to get all the documents you need. They literally think of everything and if you print them off at home it was only $30. No more searching the internet for DAYS to find that document you need to get that one thing changed to find out you need something else changed first! They walk you through every step, and even fill in some of the blanks for you. Best $30 I spend for the entire wedding especially with COVID having so many places shut down!

View Quoted Comment I’m here in Houston. Let me know how the DMV goes. Since on the website you have to do name change in person. And the offices are closed. Oh boy! I’m going to call the office tomorrow.

View Quoted Comment Hi Erin! In Texas, our offices are allowing an extension for 60 days on DL, but you have to file for it online. Not sure if your state offers this option, but worth looking into😉

View Quoted Comment Good news: I was able to get the name changed on my license easily. I made an appointment at the DMV online (I selected “My service isn’t listed,” or something like that), went in (without my current license since the Social Security Office hasn’t sent it back yet), showed them my passport, a picture of my driver’s license, and my original marriage certificate, and walked out with a temporary license with my new name (my official license should be coming in the mail next week). I’d suggest making an appointment ASAP since they fill up quickly—I had to go to a nearby city because I would have had to wait a few months to get an appointment in Austin. Still waiting on the social security card—fingers crossed it hasn’t gotten lost in the mail.

I will be mailing in our documents to the SS office as well since the offices are closed. A close friend of my just did hers and she mailed it with a tracking and had no issues!

Did it by mail in California and it worked perfectly fine, get a service that you can track so ensure your documents make it there.