How to obtain a new social security number (SSN)

Wanting to change your social security number?

Changing your social security number (SSN) with the U.S. Social Security Administration is possible if you meet certain requirements.

For those wanting to request a different social security number (SSN) and legally be assigned a new number by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the good news is that it is possible to request a change of your SSN, the bad is the requirements are frequently tough for the average person to overcome and even for those who meet the requirements the process can be very time-consuming.

Currently, the SSA permits anyone who meets the following criteria to request a change in their SSN:​

Sequential numbers assigned to members of the same family that are causing problems;

More than one person is assigned or using the same social security number;

A victim of identity theft continues to be disadvantaged by using the original number;

There is a situation of harassment, abuse, or life endangerment; or

An individual has religious or cultural objections to certain numbers or digits in the original number.

​ For most individuals, only a few of these may be present in their circumstances for requesting a change of their SSN. Most commonly the SSA approved new number changes to someone's SSN for those who have documented evidence of severe identity fraud or in cases of domestic violence, harassment, abuse, or life endangerment. ​ Anyone seeking a change in their social security number must complete the following steps:

• Apply in person at their local SSA field office;

• Complete an Application (Form SS-5);

• Provide a written statement for the reasons for needing a new number issued;

• Provide current, credible, third-party evidence documenting the reasons for needing a new number; and

• Provide original documents establishing US citizenship, age, identity, and evidence of a legal name change if appropriate.

Recommendations for a successful application for change of your SSN

Here at Pursuely we are experts in assisting those who want a change in their social security number. Based on our recent dealings with the SSA we have discovered the key to being approved for a new SSN by the Social Security Administration comes down to one item they seem to favor in approving the request is evidence showing a recent legal name change granted by the court (a full name change is preferred).

The reason for favoring those who have undergone legal name changes is that the mere act of changing a legal name demonstrates to the SSA that in addition to being assigned a new SSN the person has undertaken steps such as changing their name to mitigate the present harm of them using their current SSN and changing one's name allows the approving SSA official to be confident in approving their request to change their SSN the combination of their new name and SSN will afford them the most protection. This is mostly applicable to those requesting a new SSN for reasons pertaining to a protective order (i.e. domestic violence or harassment).

For more information please see New Numbers for Domestic Violence Victims.

How Pursuely can help you change your SSN

Pursuely can assist you in your endeavor to establish a new life and change your social security number by providing you the solutions you need for success. We can quickly and confidentially obtain a legal change for you and combine it with our other signature identity makeover solutions such as fully verifiable academic degrees, work histories, personal and professional references, credit enhancement, and more. Check out our full lineup of solutions by clicking here.