The Name Path
The South Carolina Edition · $27

South Carolina

Your name change after marriage in South Carolina, in the right order: Social Security, your driver's license or state ID, your passport, voter registration and everything after, with every fact checked against the official source.

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Watercolor: Adult newlywed couple on the beach below Hunting Island Lighthouse
At a glance

South Carolina, in six lines

Straight from the South Carolina guide. Where we couldn't confirm something from an official source, the guide says to ask the agency, and so does this page.

  • Certified copies

    From the probate court in the county that issued your marriage license (Greenville $5.50, Richland $8, Charleston $5, Horry $5). The state office only has records from July 1950 to December 2025.

  • SCDMV

    South Carolina law gives you 10 days to tell SCDMV about a name change. Update Social Security at least 48 hours before you go; a new license with your name is $10.

  • Deadline

    Yes. South Carolina law (SC Code 56-1-230) says to notify SCDMV within 10 days of a name change by marriage.

  • Social Security online

    South Carolina licenses and IDs qualify; South Carolina marriage records don't. Because South Carolina marriage records don't qualify for the online route, couples married in South Carolina should plan on an in-person or mail application.

  • Voter registration

    After SCDMV has your new name, update your voter registration online, by mail, fax or email, or at your county office, at least 30 days before an election.

  • Social Security first?

    Yes. SCDMV says to change your name with Social Security at least 48 hours before your visit, because it verifies your name with SSA.

Soft watercolor wash: South Carolina State House, Columbia
SCDMV

Fees (SCDMV)

ItemFee
New license or ID showing your new name (duplicate or modified)$10
Your first REAL ID (treated as a renewal)$25

From SCDMV's name-change and fee pages. Confirm before you go.

REAL ID

REAL ID

Since May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID or another TSA-accepted ID, such as a passport, for domestic flights. A South Carolina REAL ID has a star; a standard card says "Not for Federal Identification." For a REAL ID you need proof of all legal name changes.

Soft watercolor wash: Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River
Step 1 · Certified copies

Where to order your marriage certificate

In South Carolina you get your marriage license from a county probate court, and that court sells certified copies. The state Department of Public Health (DPH) has marriage records from July 1950 to December 2025 only; for later marriages it says to contact the probate court that issued the license. SCDMV accepts a signed, government-issued marriage license.

WhereCertified copy fee (as published)How to order
Greenville County Probate Court$5.50 per certified copy (1971–present)Through the probate court
Richland County Probate Court$8 per copySearch and order online; mailed after payment is verified
Charleston County Probate Court$5.00 per copy (card, plus a transaction fee)Online only; processed the next business day and mailed
Horry County Probate Court$5.00 per certified copyThrough the probate court
Other SC countiesSet by each probate court. Confirm with your county.Search "[county] probate court marriage license copy"
SC Department of Public Health (July 1950 – Dec 2025 only)$12 by mail (includes one copy; about 4 weeks); online $17 + $12.85 vendor fee; $3 each additionalBy mail or online through VitalChek; in-person requests currently unavailable
Married in another stateOrder certified copies from the office that issued your certificate in that state.See that state's vital records office

Fees as published by the Greenville, Richland, Charleston and Horry County probate courts and SC DPH, checked Oct 21, 2026. See Sources.

Official forms

The South Carolina forms, straight from the source

Every link goes to the agency's own page or PDF; we never host copies. Where we couldn't confirm a downloadable form, the row says to ask the agency. Your guide explains which form fits your situation. Links checked Oct 23, 2026.

ForFormOfficial link
Social SecuritySS-5: Application for a Social Security Card (PDF)ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
Social SecuritySSA online: Apply for a Social Security Cardsecure.ssa.gov/ossnap/public/
Driver's license or ID (SCDMV)SCDMV: Change my address or namedmv.sc.gov/driver-services/drivers-licen…
PassportDS-5504: Application for a U.S. Passport for Eligible Individuals: correction, name change to a passport issued 1 year ago or less, and limited passport replacement (PDF)eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds5504_pdf.PDF
PassportDS-82: U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals (PDF)eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds82_pdf.PDF
PassportDS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport (PDF)eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11_pdf.PDF
Vehicle titleSCDMV Title and/or Registration Application (Form 400, PDF)dmv.sc.gov/sites/scdmv/files/media/Forms…
Voter registrationSouth Carolina Online Voter Registrationvrems.scvotes.sc.gov/ovr/start
How we checked

Checked against the agency itself

The South Carolina guide's verification log lists 16 state facts: 16 confirmed on the official page. Sources checked October 21, 2026.

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The South Carolina Edition

Your whole South Carolina name change, one clear path

$27

14-day refund, no questions asked · One-time payment, no subscription

Changing your name with Social Security is free. You can apply directly with the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You don't need to buy this guide, or anything else, to do it.

Private by design · We never ask for your Social Security number, birth date or ID numbers

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