How to Change Your Name After Marriage in South Carolina

Changing My Name After Marriage In South Carolina

After marriage in South Carolina, a partner may decide to take the partner’s last name or hyphenate the spouse’s name or come up with a different name. When individuals make this decision, the new identity must reflect on private and public(government agencies) databases. Changing a name is a legal process, and the individual must follow laid down administrative guidelines in South Carolina and other federal agencies. The individual has to obtain all necessary documents, most importantly copies of a certified marriage certificate from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The certified marriage certificate reflects the new name. However, if the marriage certificate does not reflect it, such individuals may petition the court for a court order.

Interested and eligible members of the public may obtain South Carolina marriage records by querying the courthouse where the license of the marriage was issued. These records are a prerequisite for facilitating the name change process in the state.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in South Carolina

An individual with a new name needs to take some of the following steps to reflect the new name with relevant agencies:

Obtain a marriage certificate or court order
Notify the Social Security Administration for a new social security card
Update driver’s license
Update US passport and other travel documents
Get a new state-issued ID
Notify other government agencies, employers, and service providers

To make the process easier, the individual wishing to change to a new name may hire the service of an attorney vast in family law. The attorney may simplify the process by obtaining necessary forms and explaining the process to such individuals. Individuals who find legal representation expensive may need to have preliminary knowledge of the different agencies by following instructions and inquiring when necessary. Nevertheless, such persons must know that the cost of changing one’s name may be costly even if one takes on the process.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in South Carolina?

After taking up a new name legally, by a marriage certificate or court order, the individual must inform the Social Security Administration and get a corrected Social Security card. The Administration does not afford an online application; all applications may be submitted in person or sent via mail. The Administration charges no fee for the service. To update a social security card, the individual needs to gather and present all the necessary documentation, such as a copy of the certified marriage certificate or court order and any other proof of identity (an old social security card or birth certificate). The individual may need to provide more evidence of current US citizenship or lawful noncitizen status.

The applicant has to download and complete the Application for a Social Security Card form. Upon completion, the individual sends the application form and other necessary documents in a self-addressed stamped envelope to the relevant local Social Security office. The applicant then includes the new name as it appears on the marriage certificate or court order.

Alternatively, take the form and a photo ID (driver’s license, state-issued ID, or passport) to the local social security office. Use this zip code finder to find the nearest office. For inquiries, call the national helpline on (800) 772-1213 (toll-free) or (800) 325-0778 (TTY). The Social Security Administration reviews the application within two to four weeks before issuing a new card.

How to Get a New Driver’s License in South Carolina?

An individual may change the name on a state-issued driver’s license through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). The driver’s license must reflect the new name within ten days of the actual change. To get a new driver’s license at SCDMV, the individual must have the social security card reflecting the new name at least 48 hours before the visit. To change a name, the individual may visit the nearest SCDMV branch to buy a new beginner’s permit, driver’s license, or identification card. The individual needs to take along the following documents:

Completed Application for Name and/or Address Change (SCDMV Form 4057) form.
Completed Application for a Driver’s License, Beginner’s Permit, or Identification Card (SCDMV Form 447-NC) form

The applicant submits a copy of the certified marriage certificate or court order as proof of name change. Once the name change reflects the driver’s license, SCDMV automatically updates the vehicle and driver’s record. It costs $10 to update a driver’s license.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in South Carolina?

After a name change, the individual must inform the relevant insurance provider to reflect the new name. The South Carolina Department of Insurance regulates all registered insurance companies providing consumer services covers for all insurance covers. The insurance company may require the individual to fill a change of name form, while some may prefer an online application. Each insurance provider determines the period within which this information needs to get to the company. To find contact information on the relevant insurance provider, agency, the individual may use SCDMV online database.

Where Do I Go to Change My Last Name in South Carolina?

A person who desires a change of the last name may petition in writing to a Family Court judge in the relevant Circuit Court. The individual needs to fill out a petition for a change of name, including the reasons for the name change. Each Circuit Court retains different forms for this process; the individual must contact the Clerk of Circuit Court of the relevant county for the petition forms. An individual who petitions the court may need to do the following:

Attach the results of a fingerprint and criminal background check conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division;
A screening statement from the Department of Social Services to prove the individual is on the Department’s Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect.
An affidavit to be signed by the individual to provide proof of no court order to pay child support or alimony;
A screening statement from the State Law Enforcement Division proves if the individual is on the division’s sex offender registry.

Even though not compulsory, the court may conduct a hearing on the petition, and the individual may need to be present. After the hearing, the judge grants or refuses the name change. If the court grants the petition, it’ll issue the individual an order to change the name. The individual needs to make copies of that order when changing the name on an ID with government agencies. Please note that each Circuit Court retains payment of specific fees for this service. For more information, contact the relevant Clerk of Circuit Court using this clerk map.

The Clerk of Circuit Court must notify the relevant law enforcement if the judge approves the name change. The applicant must notify the following agencies:

The State Law Enforcement Division allows an update of the individual’s criminal record.
The Department of Corrections if the individual is in custody to reflect the change to the individual’s department record.
The State Law Enforcement Division’s Sex Offender Registry updates the name on the registry and that of the Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect.

How to Update Information with South Carolina Mortgage and Utility Companies?

When a homeowner changes name, the new name must reflect on the mortgage deed by contacting the relevant mortgage company. Mortgage companies may allow individuals to send in an application or a written request for a name change via a registered address. Some of these companies may update the new legal name over a phone call, while some require the individual visiting a local office to complete certain forms. Contact the relevant mortgage provider for the necessary steps to take to reflect the new legal name.

Meanwhile, the South Carolina Public Service Commission regulates all registered public and private utility companies that provide access to energy, water, transportation, and communications services. Typically, to update, the individual needs to contact the utility company and explain the situation thus:

“I recently got a court order changing my name, and I want to update my name on the utility bill.”

Some of these companies afford these individuals an opportunity to update this new name over a phone call. However, most companies require that the individual complete an application to update account information, to be sent via mail or submitted in person. The requester needs to attach proof of name change in the form of a certified marriage certificate or court order. Likewise, some of these utility companies allow these individuals to update the information online via an account settings dashboard.

What Documents Do I Need to Change My Name after Marriage?

An individual desirous of changing name after marriage must possess the following documents:

All old identity documents in the person’s possession, for instance, birth certificate
Certified marriage certificate
New social security card
Driver’s license

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in South Carolina?

To obtain a copy of a certified marriage certificate, the individual has to request via the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The requester needs to download and complete an application form. The application form must include the following information:

Full name of the spouse
Full date of marriage (month, day, year)
County where the marriage certificate was issued
Signature and current mailing address of the requester.
Area code and daytime telephone number of the requester

Certified marriage certificates cost a $12 non-refundable standard searching fee and $3 for each additional copy. The requester may submit the completed application in person by visiting the office on business days from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
2600 Bull St.,
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630

Alternatively, send the application via mail to the state office at:

DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201

Also, the applications at all times must be accompanied by a valid government, school, or employer-issued photo ID and the fee. The Department may process the application within a day to 30 days, depending on the medium of applying.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage

A reliable alternative for obtaining vital records are third party websites. These are non-governmental aggregate sites that process record requests in a seamless, timely manner. While obtaining records from third-party sources is substantially easier than sourcing them from government-run repositories, the records and information contained in these sites may vary since they are privately-owned and independent of government sources.

How to Get a New Passport in South Carolina?

The US Department of State issues new passports and renews passports for residents of South Carolina. Generally, the applicant needs to download and fill out the appropriate application form, attach the most recent US passport and one color passport photo (acceptable photos). The individual needs proof of name change which may be the certified marriage certificate or court order. The applicant may send the complete application form and other documents in a self-addressed stamped envelope. The applicant may send it via USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL to the address on the application. The Department takes about twelve weeks to review the request. However, it has an expedited service if the requester qualifies.

The individual may need to go on domestic travels, Canada, Mexico, US territories, and closed-loop cruises while awaiting a new passport. The applicant may use a PAN card, state ID card, or a social security card. The individual needs a certified birth certificate as proof of citizenship for reentry.

How to Change Your Name on Bank Accounts in South Carolina?

An individual with a name change must also update banking information by contacting the relevant financial institution. At this time, the individual must have a new social security card and a driver’s license. The individual needs to get to the financial institution or visit the nearest local branch. The individual may need to provide a copy of the certified marriage certificate, court order, new driver’s license, or new social security card. The Bank still reserves the right to request further documents, depending on the type of particulars the individual has with the Bank. The individual then informs the customer care representative of the intention to reflect the new name. When the Bank has duly updated the account information, the individual gets a new credit or debit card and checkbook reflecting the new name.

The individual needs to contact the financial institution that provides automatic billing services by identifying all automatic payments for utilities and subscriptions. The company may inform the individual of the necessary steps to take to update this information. Most service providers allow the individual to update online via a secure platform.

The requester must forward the new banking information to employers and also complete a new Form W-4. This form is essential for tax purposes, as explained by the Internal Revenue Service.

The individual may also decide to update the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by filing a new Form I-9, i.e., reverification. The individual must state the original hire date in Section 2 and attach the old form and written explanation for the change. Also, a copy of the certified marriage certificate or court order is necessary. It is important to note that reverification is not a statutory requirement.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in South Carolina After Marriage?

The time it takes to change a name after marriage depends on the individual and other factors. Persons who apply to the Social Security Administration’s office may get a response from the office between two to four weeks. The other government agencies have varying times. It is preferable to start the application on time.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in South Carolina?

Generally, changing the name and updating the name change on several government databases may take several months, depending on how soon the individual initiates the process. Typically, after the court approves an order for a change of name, the individual has to go through different government agencies to reflect a new name