TRENTON, N.J. — Legislation advancing in the New Jersey Legislature would require the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to include individuals’ full legal names — including Roman numerals — on certain state-issued documents, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Bill A4688, sponsored by Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy and Assemblymen Robert Karabinchak and Wayne DeAngelo, would apply to documents including the standard and REAL ID driver’s licenses, identification cards, and special learner’s permits, provided applicants submit proper documentation.
“Currently, New Jersey residents don’t have the option to include Roman numerals — such as II, III, or IV — on state-issued IDs, including driver’s licenses, motorcycle licenses, and even the REAL ID, which requires multiple forms of identification,” McCoy said. “We have heard from constituents who want this to be fixed, because it just makes sense to let them use their full name. This bill is about making sure that everyone can use their full legal name, including Roman numerals, on all state IDs. It is a simple request that respects family traditions and helps keep official documents consistent.”
The sponsors say the measure would eliminate confusion caused by inconsistencies in government documents.
“This bill remedies the issues of confusion between government documentation because of name inconsistencies,” Karabinchak said. “We don’t want anyone to have complications boarding flights, opening a bank account, or getting married, for example, just because their names are missing a couple of characters across different documents.”
“Everything should be uniform, and it should be easy to make that happen,” DeAngelo said. “This bill helps individuals with Roman numerals in their names avoid inconvenient and sometimes aggravating challenges when using their identification cards by ensuring that there are no discrepancies.”
The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee recently advanced the bill.
