How to Change Your Name on Your Car Registration in Mississippi
The Mississippi car registration name change is a procedure that must be completed on each occasion a vehicle owner makes changes to his or her legal name. Motorists can complete the process to change a name on car registration through their county tax collector’s office, which serves as an agent of the state Department of Revenue (DOR).
Note that when removing and adding a name to a car registration in MS, you will also be required to obtain an updated vehicle title. However, in order to become eligible to change car registration information, you will first be required to update your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and get a revised driving license through the state Department of Public Safety (DPS). To learn more about the process of changing your name with the DOR continue reading the following sections.
Instances Where You Must Change Your Name on Your Mississippi Car Registration
If you would like to know when to change your name on car registration in Mississippi, note that you will be required to request updated vehicle documents in several instances. A car registration name change after a marriage or a divorce, for example, are the most common situations where the DOR name change procedure must be completed.
If you change your name legally for other reasons and have legal documents granting you a new name, you will also have to submit a name change request through your county tax collector in order to obtain a replacement car registration and a duplicate vehicle title.
Mississippi Name Change Time Limits for Updating Your Car Registration
Car owners wondering, “How long do I have to change my name before having a penalty in Mississippi?” must note that they are required to update their vehicle documents as soon as possible, since state law requires them to have up-to-date paperwork when driving their vehicles.
Failure to abide by the time limits to change your name on a car registration may lead to certain adverse consequences. For example, one of the more severe penalties that you can incur when you do not get your name changed on time on your vehicle registration documents is getting a traffic ticket if and when a police officer learns that you have not updated your vehicle paperwork.
Get more information on why is name change notification mandatory and the exact timeframe for updating your vehicle documents by contacting the state DOR or your local tax collector’s office.
Steps to Take Before Updating Your Registration in Mississippi
Before learning how to update your car registration in Mississippi, you will be required to obtain the official proof of your name change, such as your marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order. Then, one of the things to do before updating your registration is obtaining an updated Social Security card in order to become eligible to complete the driving license name change procedure.
You can finalize the name change process and obtain replacement vehicle documents as soon as the SSA and the state DPS issue you a revised Social Security card and license to drive, respectively.
How to Change Your Name on Your Mississippi Car Registration
Vehicle owners with a new legal name will have to change name on vehicle registration in person in Mississippi, since they are required to furnish the official name change proof for immediate verification. Therefore, if you are wondering, “Can I change the name on my vehicle registration online?” note that the option to obtain new and updated documents via the internet is currently unavailable.
In order to change vehicle registration name in person in MS, you will be required to submit the incorrect documents and furnish the proof of your new name through your county tax collector. You may also be required to fill out an application form for a corrected vehicle registration certificate and title, present your updated license to drive and pay a certain fee.
When to Renew Instead of Update Your Registration in Mississippi
To learn when to renew your car registration in Mississippi, you can either check the expiration date written on your current vehicle registration or study the car registration renewal notice mailed out by your county tax collector a month before your renewal deadline.
Note: The state DOR allows for registration renewal grace periods in the duration of 15 days after the registration expiration date.
Therefore, if you are wondering how long do you have to renew your tag in MS, it is important to note that you have two additional weeks to pay your renewal costs and failure to do so within this time frame will lead to certain penalty fees.
If you choose to change your name at the same time that you renew your registration, documentation must be submitted and verified in person by a DOR agent at your county tax collector’s office.
Mississippi DMV Name Change Fees
First, you will have to arrange payment for the DMV name change price for an updated license to drive. Then, you will be required to pay the fees for an updated title certificate, which can vary depending on different factors, such as the type of your vehicle.
In any case, if you choose to change your name and renew your vehicle tags at the same time, you will also have to pay the standard $12.75 registration renewal fees.
Sources
- Motor Vehicle Licensing FAQs from MS.gov