What You Need to Do to Change Your Name on Your NJ License
To change the name on your New Jersey driver's license, you must visit a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office in person with proof of your legal name change and your current license. New Jersey does not allow name changes by mail or online. The process takes about 15 minutes at the counter, and you will receive a new license with your updated name on the same day if you pass the photo and vision screening.
You cannot change your name on your license without first obtaining a legal name change through a court order, a marriage certificate, or a divorce decree. New Jersey recognizes these three documents as proof of a legal name change. If you have changed your name through any other means, you will need a court order from a New Jersey Superior Court before the MVC will update your license.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit an MVC office in person with your current license and proof of your legal name change — no mail-in or online option exists.
- Acceptable proof of name change includes a court order, a certified marriage certificate, or a certified divorce decree.
- You will receive your new license the same day if you pass the vision and photo screening, with no additional fee beyond the standard license renewal cost.
- If your license is expired or will expire within six months, you may need to renew it at the same time, which changes the fee and timeline.
Documents You Must Bring to the MVC
Bring your current New Jersey driver's license and one of the following documents that proves your legal name change: a certified court order from a New Jersey Superior Court, a certified marriage certificate from the state where you were married, or a certified divorce decree. "Certified" means an official copy with a seal or stamp from the issuing court or vital records office, not a photocopy you made yourself.
If you obtained your marriage certificate or divorce decree from a state other than New Jersey, bring the certified copy from that state. If you lost your current license or it is damaged, bring what you have and tell the MVC staff when you arrive. You will also need to bring one form of identification with your current name on it — a passport, Social Security card, or birth certificate will work.
Do not bring originals of documents you cannot replace easily. The MVC staff will not keep your marriage certificate or divorce decree, but bring certified copies in case they need to photocopy them. Keep one certified copy for your own records.
Which MVC Office to Visit and How to Schedule
You can visit any Motor Vehicle Commission office in New Jersey. The MVC operates about 20 regional offices across the state, plus several smaller agencies. You do not need to go to the office that issued your current license.
New Jersey MVC offices operate on a walk-in basis, but you can also schedule an appointment online through the MVC website. Scheduling an appointment is faster and reduces wait time, especially at busy locations. If you walk in without an appointment, expect to wait 30 minutes to two hours depending on the time of day and the office location. Mornings on weekdays are usually less crowded than afternoons or weekends.
The MVC website lists all office locations, hours, and current wait times. Some offices close for lunch or have limited hours on certain days, so check before you go. If you schedule an appointment, arrive 10 minutes early with all your documents ready.
What Happens at the MVC Office
When you arrive, tell the staff member at the counter that you are changing your name on your license. Hand over your current license and your proof of name change. The staff member will verify that your legal name change document is acceptable and will check your current license status in the system.
You will then go to the photo station, where you will have your picture taken for the new license. You will also take a vision screening test at the same visit. If you pass both, your new license will be printed while you wait. The entire process from counter to photo to vision usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
If your current license is expired or will expire within six months, the MVC may require you to renew it at the same time. This does not change the process, but it may add a small fee. Ask the staff member whether renewal is required before you pay.
Fees and What You Will Pay
If your license is not expiring soon, changing your name costs nothing — the MVC does not charge a separate fee for a name change. You will receive your new license at no cost.
If your license expires within six months, you will be required to renew it at the same time you change your name. A standard driver's license renewal in New Jersey costs $24.50 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license. You choose which term you want when you are at the counter. The renewal fee covers both the name change and the renewal together.
If your current license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you will pay a replacement fee of $24.50 in addition to any renewal fee if one applies. Bring whatever remains of your damaged license if you have it.
Timeline and When Your New License Arrives
You will receive your new license with your updated name on the same day you visit the MVC office, as long as you pass the vision and photo screening. You can use this new license when ready for identification and driving.
If you fail the vision screening, you will not receive a license that day. The MVC will tell you what you need to do — usually getting glasses or contacts and returning with proof from an eye doctor. If you fail the photo screening (for example, if your eyes were closed), you can retake the photo on the spot.
If the MVC staff member finds an issue with your name change document — for example, if it is not certified or if the name on it does not match your current license exactly — they will tell you what is missing and you will need to return with the correct document. This is rare if you bring a certified court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree.
Name Changes Through Marriage or Divorce
If you changed your name through marriage, bring your certified marriage certificate. The certificate must show your maiden name and your married name. If you were married outside New Jersey, request a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were married.
If you changed your name through divorce, bring your certified divorce decree. The decree must show both your former name and your new name. If your divorce was finalized in another state, request a certified copy from that state's court.
If you were married or divorced more than once and your current legal name is different from the name on your current license, bring the most recent certified document that shows the change to your current name. For example, if you were married, then divorced, then married again, bring the most recent marriage certificate.
Name Changes Through Court Order
If you changed your name through a legal petition in court — not through marriage or divorce — you must have a certified court order from a New Jersey Superior Court. This order must show your former name and your new legal name. The order must be certified, meaning it has an official seal or stamp from the court.
If you obtained a court order for a name change in another state, you will need to file a petition in New Jersey Superior Court to change your name in New Jersey. The MVC will not recognize an out-of-state court order for a name change that was not based on marriage or divorce. Contact the Superior Court in the county where you live to learn how to file a name change petition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my license if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. The MVC does not require citizenship to change your name on your license. You must have a valid legal name change document — a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree — and a current New Jersey driver's license. Bring the same documents as any other person changing their name.
What if my marriage certificate or divorce decree is from another country?
The MVC will accept a certified marriage certificate or divorce decree from another country if it is certified by the vital records office or court that issued it and if it clearly shows your former name and your new name. You may need to bring a certified English translation if the document is in another language. Call the MVC office before you visit to confirm whether a translation is required.
Do I need to change my name on my vehicle registration at the same time?
No. Your driver's license and vehicle registration are separate. You can change your name on your license without changing your registration, though you will eventually need to update your registration as well. The MVC handles both, but you can do them on different visits if you prefer.
What if I do not have a certified copy of my marriage certificate or divorce decree?
You must obtain a certified copy before you visit the MVC. Contact the vital records office or court in the state where you were married or divorced. Most states allow you to order certified copies online or by mail. This usually takes one to two weeks. Do not bring an uncertified copy or a photocopy — the MVC will not accept it.
Can I change my name on my license if my court order or marriage certificate has a different spelling than what I want now?
No. Your license must match the name exactly as it appears on your legal name change document. If the spelling on your court order or marriage certificate does not match what you want, you will need to file a new court petition to correct the spelling before the MVC will change your license.