The plaintiff must complete the first five forms found in the How to Ask The Court to Change Your Name (Adults Only) packet. Additionally, the Civil Case Information Statement (CIS) must be completed to summarize the case for the court.

To change the name of a minor, the How to Change a Name in the Chancery Division, Family Part packet should be used.

When the forms are completed, the plaintiff must send their paperwork to their local Superior Court. This can be done online, in person, or by mail.

Individuals applying by mail or in person must ensure they:

• Remove all instruction sheets.
• Submit the original of each form along with one copy.
• Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for return documents.
• Include a check or money order made out to Treasurer, State of New Jersey, with the filing fee. The fee is $250 (as of this writing).

Individuals who cannot afford the filing fee can complete and send the Application for Fee Waiver to request that the court waive the charge.

The court will send the plaintiff copies of the Verified Complaint, Certification of Confidential Information for Name Change, and Order Fixing Date of Hearing. The documents will contain a docket number to identify the case as well as the date and time of the plaintiff’s hearing.

If the plaintiff has pending criminal charges against them in New Jersey, a copy of the Verified Complaint, Certification of Confidential Information for Name Change, and Order Fixing Date of Hearing must be sent to the prosecutor of the county handling the case.^[1] This must be done both by regular mail and certified mail at least 20 days before the hearing.

If the Office of the Attorney General brought charges, the plaintiff must instead send the documents to the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice.

The plaintiff must send via certified mail (return receipt requested) a copy of the Order Fixing Date of Hearing to the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice no later than 20 days before the hearing. Those with pending criminal charges must also include a copy of the Verified Complaint and Certification of Confidential Information for Name Change.

The plaintiff will receive a green card, otherwise known as a certified mail receipt, confirming the documents were delivered. They can then complete the Proof of Mailing form and send it along with the green card to the court.

The plaintiff must bring proof of their current name to their court hearing. The judge may ask the plaintiff questions, and when satisfied, will sign the Final Judgement confirming the name change. The court will file the Final Judgement and the Final Judgement Addendum.

When the name change is approved, the plaintiff will need to send certified copies (with a raised seal) of the Final Judgement and Final Judgement Addendum to the:

• Department of Treasury – by mail, within 45 days of the date of judgment.
• Registrar of Vital Statistics in the state where the plaintiff was born.
• Motor Vehicles Commission – in person, within two weeks of the effective date of the Final Judgment.^[2]

Individuals can request certified copies of the documents via the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS).

If an individual wants to adopt their new spouse’s last name after the wedding, they must first obtain a certified copy of their New Jersey marriage certificate. The request can be made online or in person at the registrar’s office in the county where the individual resides. The individual will then need to apply for a new Social Security card by completing the SS-5 form and submitting it to the Social Security Administration. Afterward, they can update all vital records.

An individual may request that the court change their surname during or after divorce proceedings.^[3]