How to Change Your Name on Your New Mexico Registration

If you have recently undergone a legal name change, you must submit a name change on car registration in New Mexico as soon as possible. Whether it is due to marriage, divorce or another significant life event, you must change car registration and vehicle title information to reflect your new name.

You will need to submit your change name on car registration in person at a Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) field office. However, you must register your name change with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first, since the MVD will use your Social Security records to verify the name change. Download our detailed guide to learn more about the steps required to submit an MVD name change.

When is a New Mexico DMV name change required?

There are many reasons a DMV name change may become necessary. In addition to marriage or divorce, you may undergo a legal name change due to adoption, religion or gender transition. Making a pen name, stage name or nickname permanent are other common reasons for updating MVD name records, provided you have an official document to verify the change.

Changing your name on car registration materials is also necessary if you notice that your name is misspelled on your current registration documents. When initiating a DMV name change request, it is important to make sure that the SSA, your NM driver’s license and your registration documents all display the same legal name. Any discrepancies could cause issues for you in the future.

How to Change Name on Car Registration in New Mexico

Once you have updated the SSA and applied for an updated NM driver’s license, you can change name on car registration and vehicle titles. Visit your local MVD office with an official name change document, such as the ones listed in the following section’s name change checklist.

Additionally, be sure to bring a form of fee payment, such as cash or a valid credit/debit card for your replacement registration card.

New Mexico Name Change Checklist of Acceptable Documents

Applying for a DMV name change can be difficult if you fail to provide the correct documents to verify your new name. All documents presented to the DOR must be issued by a U.S. state, city or county and include an official signature.

MVD name change documents must be original or certified copies. No photocopies or digital images will be accepted. This name change checklist includes the most commonly used name change documents:

• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Birth certificate (for spelling corrections)
• Certificate of naturalization
• Adoption decree
• Court order of name change

Download our free registration guide for detailed information on how to change your name on car registration in New Mexico.