Changing Your Name in South Carolina
How adults change their legal name in South Carolina: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: A person who has lived in South Carolina for at least six months may petition a family court judge, stating the reason, age, residence and birthplace, and the desired name. S.C. Code Ann. §§ 15-49-10, 15-49-20, 15-49-30
| Legal name change | A person who has lived in South Carolina for at least six months may petition a family court judge, stating the reason, age, residence and birthplace, and the desired name. The petition must include a SLED fingerprint and criminal background check, a Department of Social Services screening for the child abuse and neglect registry, a SLED sex offender registry screening, and an affidavit on whether the petitioner owes child support or alimony. The standard civil filing fee under S.C. Code § 8-21-310(C)(1) applies. |
|---|---|
| Changing your name after divorce | When granting a final divorce or an order of separate maintenance, the court may allow a party to resume a former surname or the surname of a former spouse. A name change can be granted with an uncontested one-year-separation divorce without a hearing. |
Where to get help in South Carolina
More South Carolina divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in South Carolina
- Adopting a Child in South Carolina
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in South Carolina
- Establishing Paternity in South Carolina
- Child Custody Laws in South Carolina
- How Child Support Is Calculated in South Carolina
- Divorce Records in South Carolina
- Alimony and Spousal Support in South Carolina
- How to File for Divorce in South Carolina
- Legal Separation and Annulment in South Carolina
- All South Carolina divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in South Carolina?
A person who has lived in South Carolina for at least six months may petition a family court judge, stating the reason, age, residence and birthplace, and the desired name. The petition must include a SLED fingerprint and criminal background check, a Department of Social Services screening for the child abuse and neglect registry, a SLED sex offender registry screening, and an affidavit on whether the petitioner owes child support or alimony. The standard civil filing fee under S.C. Code § 8-21-310(C)(1) applies.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in South Carolina?
When granting a final divorce or an order of separate maintenance, the court may allow a party to resume a former surname or the surname of a former spouse. A name change can be granted with an uncontested one-year-separation divorce without a hearing.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.