Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in South Carolina (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in South Carolina is $180, which includes a $150 court filing fee, and $30 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $150 · Processing time: ~4 weeks
Estimated costs by reason
Totals include Social Security (free), driver’s license, and adult passport selections—matching the calculator defaults.
| Reason | Estimated total cost | Timeline | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Marriage | $185 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $185 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $335 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $385 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $335 | ~10 weeks | Sealed |
Which state are you in?
Why are you changing your name?
Which documents do you need to update?
How to Change Your Name in South Carolina
South Carolina Court of Common Pleas filing fees for name changes run $130-$165 depending on the county. After-marriage name changes in South Carolina use your marriage certificate directly - no court order required - which is the most common path and requires no court involvement or fees beyond certified copies of the certificate.
South Carolina does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, which simplifies the process considerably. You file your petition in the Court of Common Pleas in the county where you reside. South Carolina courts have self-help resources available, and the SC Judicial Department's website provides guidance on the name change petition process.
South Carolina has a relatively standard name change process with no unusual state-specific quirks for most petitioners. The court reviews your petition for any fraud indicators. South Carolina does review criminal background as part of the standard process, and name changes involving registered sex offenders require additional court review.
The South Carolina DMV charges $25 for a corrected South Carolina driver's license with a name change. Visit any SC DMV branch office with your court order or marriage certificate, current South Carolina license, and proof of SSA update. South Carolina DMV has branches throughout the state and allows online appointment scheduling.
South Carolina divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses. South Carolina Family Court is receptive to this request during divorce proceedings. Including name restoration language in your original divorce decree avoids a separate Court of Common Pleas petition with associated fees.
Key South Carolina links: South Carolina Courts (sccourts.org), South Carolina DMV (scdmvonline.com), South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center (scjustice.org) and SC Legal Services (sclegal.org) for free legal assistance.
South Carolina name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $150 |
| Certified copies (3 × $10 each) | $30 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $25 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | In forma pauperis |
Common reasons in South Carolina
Name Change Guides for South Carolina
FAQ: South Carolina name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in South Carolina?
- Court filing fees in South Carolina start around $150 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $10 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in South Carolina?
- Many South Carolina court petitions finish in about 4 weeks, but crowded dockets, publication, or fingerprinting can add time. After-marriage updates using a certificate are often faster because they skip the petition.
- Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper in South Carolina?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in South Carolina do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in South Carolina?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in South Carolina if you meet the court’s income guidelines (In forma pauperis). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in South Carolina?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of South Carolina residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in South Carolina?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your South Carolina marriage certificate, you typically update Social Security first, then your driver’s license, then banks and payroll. Hyphenated or new invented names may still require a court petition—check local court rules.
Voter Registration After Your Name Change
After legally changing your name in South Carolina, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. South Carolina offers online voter registration paths for many voters, though some counties still require mail or an in-person visit for certain updates. If your registration still shows an old name close to an election, you may face additional checks at the polling place. See the full 50-state voter registration guide for deadlines, typical documents, and official Vote.gov links.
Related: SAVE Act & name change overview