Replacing Personal Documents
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August 14, 2024
Driver's License
If your driver’s license has been lost, report this to the nearest police station. To replace your license, visit any regional service center or Motor Vehicle Commission Agency to obtain a duplicate. To ensure that someone else does not secure a license in your name, you must show proof of identity at the agency, such as a certified copy of your birth certificate, U.S. Passport or any other document issued by the U.S. that establishes your proof of identity and date of birth and verifies that your presence in the U.S. is authorized under federal law.
In New Jersey, licenses/ID will no longer be printed in person due to a 2020 security change. If you renew your license online or at an agency, it will be mailed to you. For additional information, visit the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s website at nj.gov/mvc or call 609-292-6500.
Those who have lost their REAL ID compliant driver’s license may also contact the New Jersey MVC for a replacement or duplicate, which can be obtained online. Original REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses must be obtained in person by appointment.
Social Security Card
One form of identification and a completed application are required to obtain a replacement Social Security card. If you were born outside the U.S., documents proving U.S. citizenship are also needed. Acceptable forms of identity include driver's license, passport, marriage or divorce record, adoption record, health insurance card (not a Medicare card), military records, life insurance policy and a school ID card. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that you provide a document in the name you want shown on the card. Fill out the form at ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf, then take or mail it with your form of identification to your local SSA office. The SSA does NOT accept uncertified or notarized photocopies of identification forms since it cannot verify the authenticity. Only an original document is accepted. It will, however, return your original document. If you are applying for a card on behalf of someone else, you must provide proof of identity both for yourself and the person for whom the card will be issued.
For SSA office addresses and phone numbers, access their website at ssa.gov or call
800-772-1213. For certain situations, you may also be able to apply for a replacement card online.
Limits on Replacement Social Security Cards
The number of replacement Social Security cards is limited to three per calendar year and 10 in a lifetime. But there may be exceptions relating to legal name changes, work authorizations or official requests.
Credit and ATM Cards
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises all individuals whose ATM and/or credit cards have been lost or stolen to report the situation as quickly as possible. Many banks and credit card companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with emergencies. Check the FTC website on what to do when cards are lost or stolen at consumer.ftc.gov. The FTC also provides steps on how to report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov. To check out what’s going on related to fraud in your state or metro area, visit ftc.gov/exploredata. It’s important to also check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it covers liability for card thefts.
- Credit Card Loss: If a lost credit card is reported before it has been used, the Fair Credit Billing Act says that the card issuer cannot hold the cardholder responsible for any unauthorized charges. If the card is used before the loss is reported, $50 is the most that the cardholder will be responsible for.
- ATM Card Loss: If a lost ATM card is reported before it has been used, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act says that the card issuer cannot hold the cardholder responsible for any unauthorized withdrawals. If the unauthorized use occurs before the card is reported lost, the amount the cardholder is responsible for depends on how quickly the loss was reported. If the loss is reported within two business days, the cardholder will not be responsible for more than $50 for unauthorized use. If an unauthorized withdrawal is not reported within two business days of its occurrence, the cardholder may be held responsible for losses of up to $500. An unlimited loss also is possible if the lost card is not reported within 60 days after a bank statement is mailed. For more information, visit consumer.ftc.gov.
Insurance Policies and Cards
For lost or damaged insurance policies and cards, call each of your insurance companies. You probably have a few policies covering such things as auto, home, life, flood and disability. For business owners, remember professional liability and business interruption policies. The following list provides the website addresses and/or phone numbers for several major insurance providers in the metropolitan area.
Birth Certificate
The Office of Vital Statistics and Registry issues certified copies of birth certificates for births that occurred within New Jersey. You may only order your own certificate or one for an immediate family member. New Jersey participates in the VitalCheck network, which means you may order a certificate on an expedited basis online at vitalchek.com. You may also order a record by mail or in person.
New Jersey also requires authentication of your identity and requires as proof a valid state-issued photo ID with address. If you do not have a valid state-issued photo ID with address, you must provide two alternate forms of ID with address. Alternate acceptable IDs are a non-photo, state-issued drivers license; vehicle registration; insurance card; voter registration; passport; green card; county ID; school ID; or two utility bills. Proof of identification can be faxed whether the duplicate is being requested online, by telephone or fax.
The following information also is needed for the certificate:
- Full name on the birth certificate
- Date of birth
- County of birth
- Gender
- City where the birth occurred
- Father's full name
- Mother's full maiden name
- Reason for the request
- Your relationship to the person named on the certificate
- Daytime telephone number
- Whether you desire delivery by regular mail or overnight carrier
- Street address where the certificate should be sent
- Number of copies needed
For more information on obtaining a birth certificate, contact the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry at 877-622-7549 or visit their website at nj.gov/health/vital.
Passport
To reapply for a passport, you must go to any regional passport agency or designated post office. To find the office nearest you, visit the U.S. Department of State's website at travel.state.gov/content/travelen/passports.html. COVID-19 travel information is also available on the website.
To obtain a replacement passport you need to:
- Complete application form DS-11, which can be obtained from any passport agency or online. Many travel agents also stock application forms.
- Present proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate.
- Present proof of identity such as a valid driver's license or a current work ID.
- Pay the applicable fee. If paying in cash, all passport agencies, along with some acceptance facilities, require exact cash. County courts are not required to accept cash. Checks and money orders are accepted. Passport agencies accept major credit cards and debit cards. Passport acceptance facilities, however, are not required to accept these forms of payment. Contact a passport agency if travel is required within 14 days.
- Obtain two passport pictures.
Marriage Certificate
New Jersey issues certified copies of marriage certificates for individuals married in the state. Certificates are issued only to the parties to the marriage. New Jersey participates in the VitalCheck network, which means you may order a certificate on an expedited basis online at vitalchek.com. You may also order a record by mail or in person.
To order a marriage certificate online or in person, you must have a valid MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover Card.
The following information is needed:
- Name of the groom
- Name of the bride
- Date of marriage
- Place where the marriage took place
- Daytime telephone number
- Whether you desire delivery by regular mail or overnight carrier
- Street address where the certificate should be sent
If you desire further information on applying in person, by mail or online, visit vitalchek.com/marriage-records.
Automobile Titles
To replace a lost or stolen title when there is no lien on the vehicle, visit your local Motor Vehicle Commission facility and complete an application for duplicate title, or mail the application with check or money order. You will need to provide your current registration or insurance identification card.
To replace a lost or stolen title for a financed vehicle, you also will need to present a statement from the current or past lien holder. The statement must be typed on company letterhead and include the following:
- Owner's name
- Vehicle information (make, year, vehicle identification number)
- Statement that the lien holder does not have the original title in his or her possession.
For more information, contact the Motor Vehicle Commission at 609-292-6500 (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.); or visit state.nj.us/mvc.
The information in this guide has been gathered from many sources, including the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, state agencies, professional organizations and members of the NJCPA. The majority of state agencies offer online and prerecorded services. It’s best to check online or call before you visit.
Material contained within this guide should be augmented by, and used in accordance with, a certified public accountant's professional judgment. Your CPA can properly apply the tax laws and regulations to the facts and circumstances of your particular situation. For help with locating a CPA, visit findacpa.org.
The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants is not responsible for any claims arising as a result of this information or its usage.
This guide was updated in August 2024. Future users of this material are cautioned that some portions, particularly tax-related information, may become outdated.