Change your name in New Mexico
The exact steps, documents, and official New Mexico links to change your name after marriage or divorce, in the correct order.
DMV / license agency
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), NM Taxation and Revenue DepartmentLicense update fee
Standard license replacement fee applies: $18 for a 4-year credential or $34 for an 8-year credential (no fee for applicants 79+)
Marriage certificate
County Clerk of the county where the marriage license was issued (NM Vital Records/Dept. of Health handles only birth and death certificates, not marriage)Voter deadline
Online/mail registration updates (including name changes) must be submitted at least 28 days before an election. After that, same-day registration/updates are available in person at the County Clerk's office, at early voting locations and at any Election Day polling location.
To see how New Mexico's license fee compares with every other state, use our name change fee table.
Instructions verified August 2026 against official New Mexico government sites. How we verify
DMV appointment optionsWhat New Mexico asks you to bring
Documents for the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), NM Taxation and Revenue Department
- Original or certified copy of marriage license/certificate (or court order/divorce decree) showing new name
- Current New Mexico driver's license or ID card
- Proof of Social Security number reflecting new name (SS card, W-2, or SSA-1099); update with SSA before visiting MVD
- Two proofs of New Mexico residency dated within the last 60 days
- Payment for standard license replacement fee ($18 or $34)
Online or in person
New Mexico does not accept the license name change online. A visit to New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), NM Taxation and Revenue Department is required.
REAL ID in New Mexico
MVD's REAL ID system checks the new name/SSN against Social Security Administration records, so update your name with SSA first or the application will be held pending a match.
Ordering your New Mexico marriage certificate
New Mexico marriage certificates are issued and certified copies obtained only from the County Clerk of the issuing county (not a centralized state vital records office). Example shown: Sandoval County Clerk; contact the specific county clerk where the marriage license was filed. NM Dept. of Health can help locate the correct county clerk at 1-833-796-8773.
County Clerk of the county where the marriage license was issued (NM Vital Records/Dept. of Health handles only birth and death certificates, not marriage)Updating your New Mexico voter registration
New Mexico lets you update your registration online. Online/mail registration updates (including name changes) must be submitted at least 28 days before an election. After that, same-day registration/updates are available in person at the County Clerk's office, at early voting locations and at any Election Day polling location.
Update your registrationNew Mexico 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. The legal citations were last re-read against their sources in October 2026. How we verify.
- State agencyNew Mexico: ordering a certified marriage certificate
- State agencyNew Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), NM Taxation and Revenue Department: name change on a license or ID
- State agencyNew Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), NM Taxation and Revenue Department: appointments
- State agencyNew Mexico official voter registration page
- State agencyNew Mexico Secretary of State: voter registration FAQThe state's page: registration closes 28 days before an election.
- State agencyNew Mexico Secretary of State: same day voter registration FAQThe state's page: you can register or update during early voting and on Election Day.
- 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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