How to Change Your Name on Your North Carolina Registration With Our Free Guide

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Welcome to carreg.org, your comprehensive resource for all your vehicle registration-related information. The guide we provide is completely FREE OF CHARGE. You can also find available related information in other official sites or local offices. You can download for for free our comprehensive guide and resources, which contains vital information in order to perform any DMV service.

North Carolina

About Changing Your Name on Your North Carolina Registration

You must remember to change name on car registration in North Carolina whenever your legal name changes due to marriage, divorce, court order, adoption or other applicable reason. When you change the information on your vehicle’s registration card, you will simultaneously update the name on its certificate of title as well.

In addition to your name change request, you must also purchase a replacement registration card and title certificate from the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV).

Before you change car registration information, you must first notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of your new name and update your North Carolina driver’s license or identification card. Under state law, you must correct the name on your North Carolina driver’s license within 60 days from the date on which the change took place.

Once you notify the SSA and update your driver’s license, you may change the name on your vehicle registration credentials. To learn more about performing an NC name change on car registration and driver’s license credentials, review the information below.

Applying for a DMV Name Change in North Carolina

As part of your name change checklist, you must update the information on your Social Security card and North Carolina driver’s license or identification card whenever your legal name changes. If you own a motor vehicle in North Carolina, you must also change the name on your vehicle’s registration card and title certificate once you correct the information on your identification cards.

To change name on car registration cards and title certificates, you must complete an application form. You can submit it in one of two ways: by mail or in person. The mailed request would go to the NCDMV’s Renewal, Title & Plate Unit office in Raleigh. If you prefer to apply in person, however, you may visit a local license plate agency near you to submit your application materials.

When completing the application, you must provide several pieces of information about the registered vehicle and each of its owners. This information includes the following:

  • The year, make, model and title number of your registered vehicle
  • The registered vehicle’s identification number (VIN), fuel type and odometer reading
  • An explanation of the NC name change request

Learn more about the documents you will need to complete the process by downloading our helpful auto registration guide.

Requirements for a DMV Name Change in North Carolina

When changing name on car registration credentials, you must surrender the vehicle’s original certificate of title if you have this document in your possession. If you are financing the vehicle and your lender has the vehicle’s original certificate of title, the NCDMV will contact the lienholder to retrieve the title.

Once the NCDMV receives your vehicle’s certificate of title, it will issue a new title and registration certificate that displays your new legal name.

When you change name on vehicle registration credentials, you must also provide the NCDMV with proof of your legal change of name.

If you are the registered owner of a motor vehicle and you change your name due to marriage, for instance, you must provide the NCDMV with a certified copy of the marriage certificate. Another acceptable name change document may include a certified copy of a court order.

Next on your name change checklist is purchasing a replacement registration card and certificate title, as these documents must display your full legal name. You must complete the same steps when changing the address on your car registration.

When applying for duplicate copies of your registration credentials, you must also provide payment for purchasing your replacement registration card and title record.

Learn more about the replacement process by downloading our car registration guide.

How to Change Your Name on Your North Carolina Registration With Our Free Guide

As an independent and private company, we are proud to help our users learn about the benefit application process.

  • Get Free Information with Our Guide
  • Take our optional survey to receive, based on your answers, related offers from our partners!
  • Keep Updated with Curated Content