new jersey drivers license name change - NJ

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Do you need to change the name on your license? In order to alert the MVC of a new name, you must show them the required documents, which are part of NJ's 6 Point Identification process. Once you've gathered these documents, your next step is to show up in person at any Motor Vehicle Agency and pay the fee for a new license. 

New Jersey Drivers License Name Change Information

If your current name is not the same as the one on your birth certificate, New Jersey law requires that you visit the MVC and provide them with the documents which show proof of your new name. To process your name change, please follow these instructions:

In Person

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/Location.htm

Steps

1. Look for your identification documents which will prove your new name. (read below for details on the list of documents).
2. Prepare to documents to pass the state of NJ's 6 Point Identification process (read below).  
3. Visit a Motor Vehicle Agency in New Jersey.
4. Be prepared to make the payment for a new license.

Cost

www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensePermitFees.htm

The following page has the latest fees for making a correction on your license. Look at the row that says "Correction/Downgrade".

Contact Info

By Email

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/About/ContactEmail.htm

By Phone

609.292.6500

When showing up to the MVC office, please have the following:

Marriages, Divorces, or Court Orders

• If you've recently changed your name due to a marriage, you must show a marriage certificate. 
• If you've changed your name due to a same sex marriage, you must show a Civil Union certificate.
• If you've been recently divorced, you'll be required to show your divorce decree.
• For all other name changes, please show a court order document that shows your new and old name.

To order your new license, you'll need to show documents which meet NJ's 6 Point ID Verification rule. In order to pass the 6 point verification, you'll need to select documents that have a total of 6 points or more. Each document has its own score or point. Let's go over those documents below. 

These must have a total of 6 points or more

• Bring at a minimum, one (1) document from the list of Primary ID documents.
  • The documents in this primary group, have varying points. Some are worth 4 points. Others are worth 3 points, while others are worth 2 points.  
• Bring at a minimum, one (1) document from the list of Secondary ID documents.
  • The documents in this secondary group, have varying points. Some have 3 points, while others have 2 points, and some have 1 point.  

Primary Documents

4-POINT DOCUMENTS: U.S CITIZENS

• Civil birth certificate* or certified copy from one of the 50 states, District of Columbia or a US territory. Photocopies or certificates from hospitals or religious entities are not accepted. 

Please read IMPORTANT INFORMATION above.

• US Department of State birth certificate (Form FS-545,FS 240 or DS-1350)
• US passport, current or expired less than 3 years
• Current US Passport card
• Current NJ digital driver license
• Current NJ digital non-driver ID card
• Current NJ digital boat license
• Valid active duty US military photo ID card 
• US adoption papers
• Certificate of naturalization (Form N-550,N-570 or N-578)
• Certificate of citizenship (Form N-560,N-561 or N-645)

NON U.S CITIZENS [ Additional requirement(s) may apply; call 888-486-3339 ]

• Foreign passport with INS or USCIS verification and valid record of arrival/departure (Form I-94) 
• Foreign passport with INS or USCIS verification and valid Form I-551 stamp 
• Current alien registration card (new Form I-551) with expiration date and verification from INS or USCIS
• Refugee travel document (Form I-571) 
• US re-entry permit (Form I-327) 
• Valid I-94 stamped “Refugee,” “Parolee,” “Asylee” or “Notice of Action” (Form I-797 approved petition) by INS or USCIS
• Valid I-94 with attached photo stamped “Processed for I-551…” by INS or USCIS

3-POINT DOCUMENTS:

• Current photo employment authorization card (Form I-688B or I-766). 
• Must be presented with valid Social Security card.

To see and download a list of all documents, open the following PDF file (http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/Licenses/ident_ver_posterpint.pdf). Or you may use this web page to guide you in choosing your documents.