Except as otherwise provided in R. 4:72-1(b) and (c) regarding consent to a name change for a minor, on the date fixed for hearing, the court, if satisfied from the filed papers, with or without oral testimony, that there is no reasonable objection to the assumption of another name by plaintiff, shall by its judgment authorize plaintiff to assume such other name effective immediately. At the hearing, plaintiff must present adequate proof of plaintiff’s current name. Within 45 days after entry of judgment, a certified copy of the judgment shall be filed with the appropriate office within the Department of Treasury. If plaintiff has been convicted of a crime or if criminal charges are pending, the clerk shall mail a copy of the judgment to the State Bureau of Identification.
Rule 4:72-4.Hearing; Judgment; Filing
Last amended September 1, 2021 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:72-4 lets the court grant an immediately effective name change if satisfied there's no reasonable objection, requires the plaintiff to prove their current name at the hearing, and requires the judgment to be filed with the Department of Treasury within 45 days.
Full Text of Rule 4:72-4
Amendment History
New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “History” note beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; the “R.R.” citations refer to the former Revised Rules numbering the current rules replaced.
Source-R.R. 4:91-4; amended July 24, 1978 to be effective September 11, 1978; amended July 11, 1979 to be effective September 10, 1979; amended July 22, 1983 to be effective September 12, 1983; amended July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; amended June 20, 2003 to be effective immediately; amended August 1, 2016 to be effective September 1, 2016; amended July 27, 2018 to be effective September 1, 2018; caption and text; amended November 17, 2020 to be effective immediately; amended July 30, 2021 to be effective September 1, 2021.
Plain-English Summary
If nothing in the record gives the court reasonable pause, granting a name change doesn't take much more than the hearing itself. The court can decide on the filed papers, with or without live testimony, and the resulting judgment takes effect immediately — though the plaintiff still has to show up with adequate proof of their current name.
The paperwork afterward matters too: a certified copy of the judgment goes to the Department of Treasury within 45 days, and if the plaintiff has a conviction or pending charges, the clerk separately mails a copy to the State Bureau of Identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a name change take effect after judgment?
Immediately upon entry of the judgment.
What happens to the judgment after a name change is granted?
A certified copy is filed with the Department of Treasury within 45 days, and if the plaintiff has a conviction or pending charges, a copy also goes to the State Bureau of Identification.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:72-4). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey (N.J. Const. art. VI, § 2, ¶ 3). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 7, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: name change judgment