How to Change Your Last Name in NJ After Marriage
It’s all fun and games until you have to change your last name!
Changing your last name in NJ after getting married can be tricky, but we’re here to help make the process a bit easier for you. If you were married in New Jersey and want to change your last name, save this post and follow the steps below to make it official!
Obtain your marriage license. If you live in New Jersey and are getting married in-state, go to your local municipality to apply for your marriage license. If you’re already married, then you already have your marriage license! Play it safe and request extra certified copies.
Update your Social Security card. To do this, have your birth certificate and photo ID on hand. Next, fill out this form, and mail it to your local Social Security office or bring it to your local Social Security Card Center.
Head to the MVC. Be sure to bring your certified marriage license and updated Social Security card. Here, you can change your last name on your driver’s license, your voter registration card, and your vehicle’s title and registration cards. This step cannot be done online 😩.
Changing your last name on your passport. Now that you have a new last name, you will have to apply for a new passport, especially if you plan on going abroad for your honeymoon! The process for updating your passport is dependent on how long you've had it for. Find the processes here.
Always be sure that you have all of the necessary documents and proof of ID before starting the process!
And of course, there are apps out there that can help you make this even easier! Here are a few that past Rock Island couples have used.
MissNowMrs
Once you've completed all of the steps above, the hardest part will be getting used to writing your married name instead of your maiden name!