Social Security card
How to update your legal name and/or gender marker with social security for US-born citizens. You can change both at the same time.
After changing your legal name with your probate court, you must update your name with the federal Social Security Administration. Not doing so can lead to delays with your taxes or cause issues with your Social Security benefits.
Gender markers are not listed on your Social Security card. Unfortunately, Social Security currently does not allow an “X” gender marker, which differs from Rhode Island-issued IDs.
If you are not a US-born citizen, visit the Social Security website to see specialized instructions.
Updating Name
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Updating Gender Marker
STEP 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Updating Name with Social Security
STEP 1
Gather your supporting documents
Proof of citizenship, proof of name change, and proof of identity are required to update your name.
Social Security does not accept photocopies of these documents. All submitted documents must be certified and current (not expired). You may use one document for two purposes. For example, your U.S. passport can be used as both proof of citizenship and identity.
You will need to gather the following original documents:
Proof of citizenship: U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport
Proof of name change: court order approving name change
Proof of identity: U.S. driver’s license, state-issued ID, or U.S. passport
If you do not have one of these documents, you will be asked to submit another type of document, such as an employee ID, school ID, health insurance card, or U.S. military ID
STEP 2
Download and fill out an Application for a Social Security Card
Download the Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) here or from the website of the Social Security Administration.
Read the instructions on Pages 1-4 of the form.
Fill out the information on Page 5.
Fill in your current name in the first line (”Name to be shown on card”)
Fill in name at birth in the second line
Include any other names you have legally gone by iun the third line
Fill in all other biographical information on Page 5
Step 3
Submit application and documents to your local Social Security office
As of March 2020, in-person appointments were suspended. You can still submit your application and documents by mail. If you do not want to submit these by mail, you may want to call your local Social Security office and ask if they have a drop off box.
Identify the address of your nearest Social Security office here.
Mail your Application for a Social Security Card and your supporting documents by mail.
Any documents you submit by mail will be returned to you.
It will take anywhere between one to four weeks for Social Security for Social Security to process your application and issue your new Social Security card. This will have the same number as your previous card but will show your updated legal name.
Updating Gender Marker with Social Security
STEP 1
Gather your supporting documents
Proof of citizenship and proof of identity are required to update your gender marker.
Social Security does not accept photocopies of these documents. All submitted documents must be certified and current (not expired). You may use one document for two purposes. For example, your U.S. passport can be used as both proof of citizenship and identity.
You will need to gather the following original documents:
Proof of citizenship: U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport
Proof of identity: U.S. driver’s license, state-issued ID, or U.S. passport
If you do not have one of these documents, you will be asked to submit another type of document, such as an employee ID, school ID, health insurance card, or U.S. military ID
Step 2
Acquire documentation for gender marker change
The Social Security Administration requires specific documentation as “proof” of your gender.
The following documents are accepted for a gender marker change:
Signed letter from a licensed physician confirming you have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition (recommended)
Court order legally recognizing your change of gender
Valid U.S. passport showing updated gender marker
State-issued amended birth certificate showing updated gender marker
We recommend using a signed letter from a licensed physician.
Updating your gender marker with Social Security is often easier than updating your passport and birth certificate. If you follow our recommended order, then these last two options will not be possible.
If you choose to submit a letter from a physician, we suggest these tips:
The letter must contain key biographical data, including your full name and date of birth
The letter must come from a licensed physician with whom you have a patient relationship and who is familiar with your transition-related treatment, including a primary care physician or a specialist.
The letter must be signed by a medical doctor, not a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner.
The letter should be printed on the letterhead of the physician’s office and include the physician’s license or certificate number.
In this letter, your physician must certify that you have had “appropriate clinical treatment” for gender transition.
Please note: there is no standard “clinical treatment” that is required.
As long as your physician will sign the letter, the document will be accepted. No further medical documentation is necessary.
A template letter can be found here. This is simply a template you can provide to your physician for guidance. Many physicians who serve trans and non-binary patients will likely be familiar with this template and this type of letter.
STEP 3
Download and fill out an Application for a Social Security Card
Download the Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) here or from the website of the Social Security Administration.
Read the instructions on Pages 1-4 of the form.
Fill out the information on Page 5.
In Box 8, “sex”, select the gender marker (M or F) your want your new social security card to carry.
Please note: Your social security card does not list your gender marker and is only kept on file.
Social Security currently does not allow an “X” gender marker. This differs from Rhode Island-issued IDs, which do allow “X” gender markers.
Step 4
Submit application and documents to your local Social Security office
As of March 2020, in-person appointments were suspended. You can still submit your application and documents by mail. If you do not want to submit these by mail, you may want to call your local Social Security office and ask if they have a drop off box.
Identify the address of your nearest Social Security office here.
Mail your Application for a Social Security Card and your supporting documents by mail.
Any documents you submit by mail will be returned to you.
It will take anywhere between one to four weeks for Social Security for Social Security to process your application and issue your new Social Security card. This will have the same number as your previous card but will show your updated legal name.
