New Jersey Assembly Bill A2484

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Eliminates fee for filing certified copy of name change order.

Impact

The removal of the name change filing fee is anticipated to positively impact many residents of New Jersey who wish to change their names without incurring extra costs. This could lead to an increase in the number of individuals who would pursue legal name changes, thereby avoiding the financial barriers that might discourage them from doing so. Notably, many individuals seek name changes for reasons tied to major life events, and the proposed law aligns with efforts to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for the constituents in such situations.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2484 aims to eliminate the $50 fee currently charged for filing a certified copy of a name change order in New Jersey. The bill is introduced by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly, and Assemblywoman Carol A. Murphy, along with co-sponsorship from Assemblywoman Lopez. The legislation seeks to amend existing provisions in P.L.1987, c.435, specifically related to filing fees under New Jersey law. By removing this fee, the bill hopes to facilitate the process for residents seeking to change their names, an action often necessitated by personal circumstances such as marriage or divorce.

Contention

While the bill may face little opposition given its nature of reducing costs to residents, discussions around its implementation could arise regarding the ramifications on state revenue that is generated from these fees. Supporters of the bill will likely argue that the social benefits of removing financial barriers outweigh any potential economic drawbacks, while opponents may press concern about the state's fiscal health and revenue streams. Nevertheless, the bill presents a straightforward leniency in procedural requirements for personal legal transitions.