Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in South Dakota (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in South Dakota is $85, which includes a $70 court filing fee, and $15 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $70 · Processing time: ~3 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 | $160 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $160 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $230 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $280 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $230 | ~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 Dakota
South Dakota Circuit Court filing fees for name changes run $70-$95 depending on the county - very affordable by national standards. After-marriage name changes in South Dakota use your marriage certificate directly without any court involvement, keeping costs minimal for newlyweds.
South Dakota does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, which combined with its low filing fees makes South Dakota one of the most affordable states for a court-order name change. You file your petition in the Circuit Court of the county where you reside. South Dakota has 66 counties organized into seven judicial circuits.
South Dakota has a straightforward name change process with no unusual state-specific quirks. The Circuit Court reviews your petition for any fraud indicators. South Dakota's smaller population means court processing times are generally faster than in more populous states, with many petitioners receiving their court order within 4-6 weeks of filing.
The South Dakota DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) charges $20 for a corrected South Dakota driver's license with a name change. Visit any South Dakota DMV examination station with your court order or marriage certificate, current South Dakota license, and proof of SSA update. South Dakota has examination stations in most county seats throughout the state.
South Dakota divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses. South Dakota Circuit Courts are receptive to this request during divorce proceedings. Including name restoration in your original decree avoids a separate petition later.
Key South Dakota links: South Dakota Courts (ujs.sd.gov), South Dakota DMV (dps.sd.gov/licensing/driver-licensing), East River Legal Services (eastriverlegalservices.org) and Dakota Plains Legal Services for rural and tribal communities.
South Dakota name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $70 |
| Certified copies (3 × $5 each) | $15 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $15 |
| Processing time | ~3 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | In forma pauperis |
Common reasons in South Dakota
Name Change Guides for South Dakota
FAQ: South Dakota name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in South Dakota?
- Court filing fees in South Dakota start around $70 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $5 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in South Dakota?
- Many South Dakota court petitions finish in about 3 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 Dakota?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in South Dakota 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 Dakota?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in South Dakota 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 Dakota?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of South Dakota residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in South Dakota?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your South Dakota 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 Dakota, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. In South Dakota, voter registration updates are commonly handled by mail or in person with your county or municipal election office—confirm the fastest option for your address. 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