New York Drivers License Name Change Time Limits
Though the DMV does not specify a time limit for changing your name on a driving license, other license changes must be obtained within 10 days. This includes address changes and other changes to your personal information. If you change the name on your documents in a timely manner, you know that your information will be correct in the event of a traffic stop or other legal matter that requires an updated license.
How To Legally Change Your Name In New York City
General Information
Getting All the Papers
Filing the Papers
The Hearing
Publication and Service
Changing Your IDs
Update Or Change Your Voter Registration
You’ll need to update or change your voter registration if you:
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Move within your state
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Want to change your political party affiliation
If you move permanently to another state, register to vote in that new state.
Submit your changes before your states registration deadline. That could be up to 30 days before the election.
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Changing My Name After Marriage
In New York State, interested persons can generally change their name through marriage, divorce, adoption, citizenship, or court order. A name change in New York gives the individual a different identity, and as such, the individual must update their information on government databases and other relevant places.
Changing a name via marriage in New York requires the partners to apply for a marriage license, on which the new name will be displayed. However, this is only available for citizens aged eighteen and above or seventeen years old with the consent of their parents or a family court.
Marriage licenses obtained from New York are only relevant if the ceremony takes place within the state. More details on obtaining a marriage license and certificate are available on the state’s Department of Health site.
Interested and eligible members of the public may also obtain New York marriage records in the county where the license was issued. These records are especially relevant for facilitating name change requests hence, requestors must obtain these records before requesting a name change.
How To Change Your Name On Your Drivers License In Person

The NY DMV recommends that you make a reservation online when changing the name on a driving license in New York City, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Onondaga or Albany counties. Doing so makes the drivers license name change process easier by reducing your wait time. To update your records, bring all of the following to your appointment:
- A completed copy an Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card.
- Your current NY drivers license, permit or state-issued non-driver ID card, or any combination of identification documents that meet the states 6 points of proof of identity and date of birth.
- An original or certified copy of your name change court papers, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or adoption decree.
The NY DMV name change agent will process your request, take a new drivers license photo and issue a temporary non-photo document that will allow you to drive until your new drivers license card arrives. After changing your name on your driving license, it takes approximately two weeks to receive your new license in the mail, similar to when you request a replacement license after having lost or damaged your precious license.
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File Petition At County Or Supreme Court
Once you have filled out both documents and notarized the petition, you will need to bring your package to your County or Supreme Court and file it with the Court Clerk. Residents of New York City can file their name change petitions with the New York City Civil Court, which is less expensive. Accepted payment methods and filing fees may differ depending on your county of residence, so it is your responsibility to be prepared to pay your filing fee. If you are incapable of paying the fee, you can ask the court for a fee waiver in order to subsidize some or all of your costs.
Process To Change Last Name In New York
To change your last name in New York follow the simple process:
- Provide your current first name, middle name, and last name with your current address.
- Provide your desired name, which means the new name that you would like to keep.
- Fill our simple questionnaire at legally name change New York section.
- You will have to mention your birthplace and birth date. The same questions are required for the minor name changes.
- Pay the filing fee. You can pay New York court fee later on.
- Once you get your prefilled name change forms, you must have to notarize them from a notary public.
- Submit the forms to the New York Court. And get the hearing date.
- Once your name is approved, you will have to publish it in the newspaper to update your name on different documents like a passport, green card, or social security card.
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Need A Passport Thats Next On The List
If youll be honeymooning after you exchange vows, you should think about how to change your name after marriage on your passport. To change your name on your passport, you actually have to apply for a new one. You can tackle this step through the mail theres no need to do it in person unless upcoming travel plans require you to use your passport.
When it comes to changing your name on your passport, how to do it depends on how long youve had your passport. If youve had it for a year or less, you can use the Department of States website to , and mail them to the National Passport Processing Center, along with your current passport, a certified copy of your marriage certificate, and passport photo. This service is provided free of charge. But if youve had your passport for more than a year, there will be a nominal fee associated with mailing in the form.
If youre traveling in less than two weeks and need an expedited passport, the state of New York does have several offices you can visit. Whats involved? A steeper fee for this speedier process, and youll have to show proof of identification, name change, and your travel plans.
New York Minor Name Change
If the minor is under 18 years of age you can Apply for the minor name change in New York court. This is important to provide parents’ and guardians’ information to change the minor’s name. If the minor is over 10 years of age but under 18 years of age, you must have to have the concent to change the name of that minor.
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General Summary Of Name Change Laws
To file for a name change in New York, the individual seeking a name change must have lived in New York for at least six months and be a current resident in the county in which the petition will be filed.
The Courts are often willing to accept name changes for almost any legitimate reason. However, the granting of an application for change of name is discretionary with the Court. For an order/decree/judgment of name change to be granted, the Court must find compliance with the requirements of notice and the requirements for the allegations in the application. The Court must also find good and sufficient reason for the change, find the change consistent with the public interest and if the change of name is for a minor child, find that the change is in the best interests of the minor child.
You cannot change your/one’s name for a fraudulent purpose, such as to avoid debts, you cannot change to a name that could affect the rights of another person, such as a celebrity, you cannot use a curse word, racial slur, obscene and/or an offensive word as part of your/one’s name and you cannot change to a name that would cause deliberate confusion .
IMPORTANT NOTE: For name change actions, which involve a minor, our materials are strictly for use if both parents consent to the name change. If one parent does not consent, our materials are not appropriate. The applicant may wish to contact a local lawyer, bar association, etc.
Name Change On A Birth Certificate
If you were born in any county outside New York City you need a court order to effect a name change on a birth certificate. The order should have the seal of the court and court clerk certified a publication proof is needed. Ensure the order also has the place of birth, date of birth, and name clearly indicated.
Submit to the Bureau of Vital Records within the New York State Department of Health a completed Correction of Certificate of Birth Application and a notarized affidavit or certified copy of your current birth certificate to confirm you are at least 18 years old. Nonetheless, a court order might not be required to correct a mistake on a birth certificate.
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How To Change Your Name In Ny
- Fill out the forms
- New York requires three forms for a name change: a Name Change Petition, a Proposed Order, and a Request for Judicial Intervention to have a judge assigned to the case. The Name Change Petition must include the reason for the name change and whether the person has any criminal convictions, pending civil judgments, or past bankruptcies. The forms must also be notarized.
When To Renew Instead Of Update Your Registration In New York

When completing the New York vehicle registration renewal name change transactions can be processed at the same time. However, in order to update your name and renew your car registration name change paperwork must be submitted in person since the state DMV must verify the authenticity of the name change proof.
If you are wondering when to renew your car registration in NY, then you can check your current paperwork or wait for the notices for the auto registration renewal process that the department mails out well ahead of your scheduled renewal deadline.
To successfully update your name and renew your vehicle license plates at the same time, you will first be required to submit the necessary name change documents before paying your renewal costs.
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How To Change Your Name With The Social Security Administration
Because the forms you file for a New York drivers license name change include a place for your Social Security Number, you must change your name with the Social Security Administration before pursuing a name change at your local DMV office. It is free to change your name at the Social Security Administration and the process may be completed in person at your local SSA branch office or through the mail. Note that the SSA only accepts original documents for name changes, so you may find it easier to apply in person rather than have your original documents out of hand for a few weeks.
The basic documents you need for an NY DMV name change are the same ones needed to change your name on your Social Security card. This includes your current NY drivers license or another form of photo identification and the document that link your old and new names together. Such documents include marriage certificates, adoption or divorce decrees and any court-ordered name change record.
Some individuals will need to provide proof of legal immigration status when applying for a drivers license name change or a new Social Security card. Every SSA applicant requesting a card with a new name must complete the official Social Security card application form. All SSA related changes must be performed in person or by mail. Online applications are not available at this time.
About Legally Name Change
Legally Name Change is a reputable company with a group of experienced and Trained Attorneys who serve and guide you through your Name Change Needs in New York. We are a reliable and trustworthy place to Meet Your Needs of Name Change in New York. If you wish to change the name of your own choice, it is not a dream but our professional team at Legally Name Change will help you to fulfill your dream.
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Obtain Certified Copy Of Court Order
In order to complete the name change process, you will need to pick up at least certified copies of the signed Order Granting Leave to Change Childs Name from the Clerk of Courts office. Once the court has approved your childs name change, it will be up to you to change their name as recorded on any official documents and registrations. By presenting a certified copy of the court order, you will be able to change your childs identity, so that they can use their own name.
What Is A New York Name Change Petition And Order
This Petition is used to get a court order for an adult legal name change in New York. A court order is often unnecessary if you just got married or divorced.
Use the New York Name Change Petition and Order document if:
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Social Security Dmv Irs Name Change
Before you can change your name with the Department of Motor Vehicles in New York, you need to report the legal change of name to the Social Security Administration, since the DMV needs to verify the Social Security Number and database record name change first.
Change of name with the social security office can be done via mail or in person. Make sure you have a Social Security Card application dully completed, document certifying the name change, such as a court order, divorce decree or marriage certificate, including proof of identity through documents such as ID cards issued by the state, a United States passport or a driver’s license.
U.S. citizenship proof is also required, such as a birth certificate, naturalization or citizenship certificate. It’s important for all documents to be either certified copies or originals. Once the Social Security Administration records are updated, approach the New York Department of Motor Vehicles in person to change your name on your vehicle registration, ID card or driver’s license and the vehicle certificate of title. These changes cannot be done via email, by phone or mail.
New York Llc Name Change Faqs
Do I have to update my name everywhere else right away? No, there is not a rush here. Sooner than later is better, of course, but technically, your old LLC name will still work for a while.
Does this mean I need to meet the publication requirements again? No, you do not need to re-publish your newspaper ads.
What if need to change my New York LLC Registered Agent? You cannot do that via the Certificate of Amendment. Instead, you need to file a Certificate of Change and pay a $30 filing fee.
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Overview Of The Required Steps For An Adult Applicant In The State Of New York
Here are the basic steps involved in changing your name: