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 or any early voting/Election Day polling location through the Saturday before Election Day.
Instructions verified August 2026 against official New Mexico government sites. How we verify
Book a DMV appointmentWhat 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 or any early voting/Election Day polling location through the Saturday before Election Day.
Update your registrationNew Mexico step-by-step guides
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