RM 10212: Legal Names and Changes to the Numident
TN 1 (02-10)
Evidence of the name change event, the new name, and identity is required to process a name change based on a divorce, dissolution, or annulment event.
A. Evidence of name change
Refer to RM 10212.060 for acceptable evidence of divorce, dissolution, or annulment.
B. Evidence of new name
A divorce decree, annulment decree or evidence of dissolution stating the new name (i.e., to be shown on the SSN card) is acceptable evidence of the new name. If a new name is stated in the document, this is the new name that must be used on the SSN.
If the divorce or annulment decree does not specify the new name, then accept one of the following:
Any prior Numident record showing a card was issued in the new name (i.e., name shown on card (NAA) line). This is often the applicant’s maiden name, or it could be a prior married name;
A birth certificate (BC), or amended BC, if the person is changing to the maiden name;
A prior marriage document, if the person is changing to a prior married name; or
Other documents such as the person’s Naturalization Certificate, DHS document or previous court order for a name change.
1. Documenting Evidence of the new name in the Enumeration system
In the enumeration system on the legal name change screen:
complete the “Name Change Document 2” field;
select “Basis for Name Change Document”; and
complete the “Document Description” field with the evidence used to establish the new name.
Use the following chart to complete the Document Description field based on the evidence of new name.
Evidence of New Name |
Additional Information Needed |
Enumeration System Documentation in the Document Description field |
---|---|---|
Name on Card (NAA line) from prior Numident record |
CYD date for the Numident iteration from which the name was obtained |
NUMI NAME CYD MMDDYY |
BC |
BC State and document # |
BC XX(State) DOCUMENT # |
Amended BC |
BC State and document # |
AMENDED BC XX (State) Document # |
Prior marriage document |
Prior marriage event date, city and state, and record number (if available) |
PRIOR MR MMDDYY Phila PA #000000 |
Certificate of Naturalization |
Event Date and A# or certificate number |
Nat Cert MMDDYY A# 11111111 |
DHS document |
DHS Form number and issue date |
DHS I-XXX ISS MMDDYY |
US court order name change |
Event date, city and state |
Ct Order NmChng XXDDYY, Phila PA |
C. Evidence of number holder’s identity
Refer to RM10212.015 D and RM 10212.020 for evidence of identity requirements. There are no special circumstances related to divorce, dissolution, or annulment events.
D. Example of acceptable evidence to process a name change based on divorce or annulment
Deborah Thompson wants to change her name on her SSN to her maiden name, Lewis. She submitted evidence of the name change event, her divorce decree. The decree does not specify the new name, Lewis. The divorce decree shows her married name and date of birth that agrees with the Numident and indicates the divorce took place three years ago. Her Numident record shows she previously had a card in the name Lewis, which is used as evidence of the new name. Since the divorce decree took place over two years earlier, it cannot be considered acceptable evidence of identity. Deborah submitted her US passport in the name shown on the most recent Numident (Thompson). Since Deborah submitted acceptable evidence of a name change and identity, we can process the name change on the SSN.
E. Reference
RM 10210.405, Evidence of Identity for an SSN card
RM 10212.060, Evidence of Name Change on the SSN based on Divorce, Dissolution, or Annulment