About Name Changes on a Car Registration in Arizona

You must change the name on your car registration in Arizona as soon as possible after you legally change your name due to marriage, divorce, adoption, court order or any other reason.

Arizona law requires you to change car registration and driver’s license or ID card information within 10 days of legally changing your name. Failure to do so could result in penalty fees and traffic citations.

Before performing a name change on car registration credentials, you must first notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of your new name. Then, you must wait at least two days for the SSA to update your name in its records.

This wait time is important, as your car registration name change will be checked against the updated SSA records.

After the SSA processes your change of name, you must correct the information on your Arizona driver’s license, identification card and vehicle registration credentials.

To learn more about these requirements and the steps you must take to update the name on your vehicle registration, review the sections below.

Performing a DMV Name Change in Arizona

To begin the process of changing your name on your car registration and driver’s license credentials, you must first contact the SSA to obtain a corrected Social Security card that displays your new legal name.

When updating your information with the SSA, you must provide the agency with:

• A completed application.
• Proof of your identity.
• A certified name change document.

You can find information on what documents you are authorized to use by downloading our free registration guide.

After changing your name with the SSA, you must visit a local Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) office to update the information on your registration credentials and driver’s license.

When you apply for an MVD name change in AZ, you will automatically update the information on your driver’s license and vehicle registration credentials, eliminating the need to complete these processes separately.

Documents Needed for Arizona DMV Change of Name

To change the name on your car registration and driver’s license credentials, you must visit a local MVD branch or authorized third-party office to submit your request in person.

Because you will need to provide the MVD with certified proof of the name change, you cannot submit your request online.

As part of your name change checklist, you must also provide the MVD with proof of identification for your new and former name.

Obtaining a Duplicate Registration after Name Change

After changing the name on your AZ car registration credentials, you may choose to request a duplicate car registration card that displays your new legal name.

To do so, you may submit your request online using the state’s online portal, or  visit a local MVD office to process your application in person.

When purchasing a duplicate registration card, you must be able to provide your vehicle’s license plate number and the last two digits of its identification number (VIN). Additionally, you must provide your driver’s license or identification card number.

After providing this information, you must use an accepted form of credit as payment for the replacement credential.

If you change your name on auto registration credentials and wish to obtain a duplicate certificate of title that displays your new legal name, you must complete an official title and registration application before submitting the request in person or by mail.

Download our car registration guide for instructions and a list of documents you may need to bring.