Dear Editor:
The time of year keeps wedding planners especially busy. If you are among the hundreds of thousands of women who will be exchanging marriage vows in the next couple of months, you also may be exchanging your maiden name for a married name. (And that would include those women who plan to use hyphenated surnames, such as Smith-Jones.)
So here is one more thing for brides to add to their to-do list: if you are working and will be making a name change, let Social Security know. Telling us about your name change shortly after you have tied the knot will help us accurately keep track of your earnings and will ensure that you and your family get the Social Security retirement, disability or survivors benefits you are entitled to. Also, if the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security records do not show the same name and Social Security number, your federal income tax refund could be delayed.
You should also know that your employer cannot update your Social Security record to show your name change. Only you can do that.
If you do not plan to work outside the home, you still should report any name change to Social Security so that your Social Security record will show your married name and make it easier if you apply for benefits on your husband’s earnings record.
Of course, today many women continue to use their maiden name after marriage. If you continue to use your maiden name consistently throughout your working years, you do not need to contact us But if you decide to change your name at a later time, you should let us know so that we can update your Social Security record.
The name change process is simple and free. You will need to complete an Application for a Social Security Card, and show us originals or certified copies of either your marriage certificate showing your old and new names or two documents, one with tour former name and one with your married name. If you were born outside the U.S., you also need proof of your U.S. citizenship or that you are lawfully living in the U.S.
To get a copy of an Application for a Social Security Card, visit our Internet website at www.socialsecurity.gov; call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213; or visit your local Social Security office.
Richard Thayer,
Social Security Manager, Jersey City