Change your name in New Jersey
The exact steps, documents, and official New Jersey links to change your name after marriage or divorce, in the correct order.
DMV / license agency
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC)License update fee
$11 (duplicate license fee)
Marriage certificate
New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and RegistryVoter deadline
Voter registration (including name changes) must be submitted at least 21 days before an election to be effective for that election.
To see how New Jersey's license fee compares with every other state, use our name change fee table.
Instructions verified August 2026 against official New Jersey government sites. How we verify
DMV appointment optionsWhat New Jersey asks you to bring
Documents for the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC)
- Certified marriage certificate (or civil union certificate) showing the name change
- Current NJ driver's license/ID card
- "6 points" of identification documents (e.g., certified birth certificate, U.S. passport, Social Security card) per NJ MVC point system
- Proof of Social Security Administration name update recommended before visiting MVC
- Certified English translation if any document is in a foreign language
Online or in person
New Jersey does not accept the license name change online. A visit to New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) is required.
REAL ID in New Jersey
A name change is processed as a walk-in at any MVC Licensing Center (no appointment needed); if pursuing REAL ID, the name on all supporting documents must match, so update Social Security records first (wait 24-48 hours for SSA sync) before visiting MVC.
Ordering your New Jersey marriage certificate
Certified copies cost $25 for the initial search plus one certified copy ($2 for each additional copy ordered at the same time). Can be ordered online/by phone via VitalChek, by mail, or in person at the Trenton state office or local municipal registrar; requires valid photo ID copy and proof of relationship to the person named on the record.
New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and RegistryUpdating your New Jersey voter registration
New Jersey lets you update your registration online. Voter registration (including name changes) must be submitted at least 21 days before an election to be effective for that election.
Update your registrationNew Jersey step-by-step guides
Sources
We checked the details on this page against the official sources below in August 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything you are about to act on at the agency's own page. How we verify.
- State agencyNew Jersey: ordering a certified marriage certificate
- State agencyNew Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC): name change on a license or ID
- State agencyNew Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC): appointments
- State agencyNew Jersey official voter registration page
- FederalSocial Security Administration: change your name
- FederalSocial Security Administration: Form SS-5
- FederalU.S. Department of State: change or correct a passport
NameWright is not a government agency and this is not legal advice. We prepare your paperwork; you file it.
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