Hello Everyone! So, the name changing saga continues! I wish it was over, but it is far from over. Today, I want to discuss changing my name (due to marriage) on my social security card from within Japan.
If you are an American citizen, you most likely have a social security number and social security card. You basically need this unique nine digit number for anything legit in the USA, like getting a driver's license, opening a bank account, getting hired at a job, so of course, we must notify social security administration if any information changes.
Therefore, the second step for changing my name in Japan was to report the name change to the Social Security Administration. I needed to apply to the US Embassy in Tokyo, so unfortunately, I am not familiar with the processes at the other US Embassies in Japan.
If you apply through the US Embassy in Tokyo, the process can be completed through mail without the need to visit the actual embassy.
Step 1: Contact Federal Benefits Unit
The first thing I did was contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy in Tokyo. You can contact them through e-mail, phone, and fax. For the phone numbers and e-mails, please visit this link HERE. If you are reading this blog post, you can skip contacting them and just proceed to step two!
I contacted them because I wasn't sure how to begin the whole process. So, I e-mailed them and stated that I wanted to change my name on my social security record due to marriage, so how do I proceed. I received a reply a few days later with the steps that I am going to share below!
Step 2: Fill out an Application
First you need to download and fill out an SS-F-FS application. You can access the form HERE. The application is very simple and straightforward. All you need to do is write (in blue or black ink only) your "married name" in the "name to be shown on card" field, and then write your "birth name" in the "full name at birth" field. Also, since you are not applying for a social security card for a minor, you don't have to worry about putting your parents' social security numbers.
At first I was having trouble downloading the application until I used a VPN based in the US. So, if you find that you can't access the form or Social Security Website, try to use a free VPN, or you are welcome to e-mail/contact me for the form.
Step 3: Gather Documents
Once you have completed your application, you will need to gather a few documents.
- Proof of Name Change
- This will be your original Japanese marriage certificate (婚姻届受理証明書)
- A translation of the Japanese marriage certificate (You can find the template HERE, and it does not need to be notarized or translated by a professional).
- Proof of Identity in New Name
- This will be your original US or Foreign passport with your married name (Cannot be expired, and it must be signed).
- Proof of Citizenship (Only in the case your citizenship is not already in the SS records)
- This can be your original passport, naturalization certificate, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad. (I didn't provide anything)
Step 3: Mail Documents and Application
Once you have all of your original documents (no photocopies needed), you need to mail them to the US Embassy Tokyo at this address: U.S. Embassy Tokyo, Consular Section, FBU, 1-10-5 Akasaka Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 Japan. You can mail your documents in any kind of envelope, but you must include a special self-addressed envelope inside called a "LetterPack".
- Self Addressed Japan Post Letterpack envelope
- There are two kinds, "light" and "plus". Letter Pack Light (blue) includes tracking, but it does not require a signature and the mailman will just stuff it in your mailbox. Letter Pack Plus (red) includes tracking and also requires a signature. Plus is the more secure of the two. Due to the sensitive nature of the package, I bought two Letter Pack Plus envelopes. I bought one to send my application in and one to receive my documents back in. You can buy them at any convenience store. They are available in the aisle.
- You must fill out both the "To" and "From" field on the envelope you use to mail your documents. On the self-addressed envelope, you can leave the "From" field empty because they will stamp their address.
- You can peel off the barcode to track the envelope you sent. However, you can only take a picture of the barcode on your self-addressed envelope to track when it has been mailed back to you.
- You can bend the self-addressed envelope.
- You can drop your finished package in any Japan Post postbox. You do not have to go to the post office.
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