Just married in South Carolina? Congratulations. A Palmetto State name change is quick and inexpensive, but the clock is tight: you have only 10 days to update your license. Here is exactly how to do it, in order, with what it costs and how long it takes.
South Carolina Name Change: Quick Answers
How fast do I have to update my license?
Just 10 days, the shortest deadline in the country. Line up your Social Security and DMV steps back to back.
Do I need my new Social Security card first?
Yes. You must update Social Security at least 48 hours before your SCDMV visit; the DMV verifies your name and number against Social Security.
Can I just walk into the DMV?
Often not. Many SCDMV branches are appointment-only now, so book at dmv.sc.gov before you go, especially with a 10-day clock.
Do I need a court order to take my spouse’s last name?
No. Your marriage license works, and it can be used once to change your middle name, last name, or both.
Step 1: Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage Certificate
In South Carolina your certified marriage license comes from the Probate Court in the county where you got your license (the state health department can also issue one). Order 2 or 3 certified copies. They are inexpensive, about $5 to $8 by county, listed further down this page.
Step 2: Update Social Security First
Social Security is free and the same in every state: complete form SS-5, show your certified marriage certificate, and your new card arrives in about 2 to 3 weeks. Do this first, and remember South Carolina’s rule that your Social Security update must be done at least 48 hours before the DMV. Details: ssa.gov.
South Carolina has 17 Social Security field offices. Find the one nearest you:
| City | Address | ZIP | Phone | Mon-Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken | 151 Corporate Pkwy | 29803 | (866) 275-8271 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Anderson | 4 Civic Ctr Blvd Ext | 29625 | (877) 505-4549 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Beaufort | 646 Robert Smalls Pkwy | 29906 | (866) 254-3316 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Bennettsville | 1028 Cheraw St | 29512 | (888) 810-7617 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Charleston | 1463 Tobias Gadson Blvd | 29407 | (866) 495-0111 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Clinton | 292 Professional Park Rd | 29325 | (866) 526-9854 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Columbia | 1835 Assembly St | 29201 | (866) 964-7594 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Florence | 181 Dozier Blvd | 29501 | (888) 385-1173 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Georgetown | 413 King St | 29440 | (866) 593-1584 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Greenville | 319 Pelham Rd | 29615 | (877) 274-5423 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Greenwood | 115 Enterprise Court | 29649 | (866) 739-4803 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Myrtle Beach | 611 Burroughs And Chapin Blvd | 29577 | (888) 577-6601 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Orangeburg | 1379 Sims St | 29115 | (866) 716-8602 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Rock Hill | 499 Lakeshore Pkwy | 29730 | (877) 626-9589 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Spartanburg | 145 N Church St | 29306 | (866) 701-6620 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Sumter | 240 N Bultman Dr | 29150 | (877) 445-0840 | 9 AM-4 PM |
| Walterboro | 502 Robertson Blvd | 29488 | (866) 708-2810 | 9 AM-4 PM |
Step 3: Change Your SC Driver’s License
The clock is tight, so plan ahead. Here is your checklist:
- Update Social Security at least 48 hours before your visit (the DMV verifies against Social Security).
- Complete SCDMV Forms 4057 and 447-NC.
- Bring your certified marriage license.
- Book an appointment at dmv.sc.gov, since many branches are appointment-only.
- Pay $10 ($25 if you also get your first REAL ID), all within 10 days of your name change.
Step 4: Your Vehicle Records
Good news for South Carolina car owners: when the SCDMV processes your name change, your vehicle records update on their own.
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vehicle record + registration | Update automatically, with new cards mailed to you. No form and no fee. |
| New paper title (optional) | Only if you want a reissued paper title in your new name: use Form 400 with acceptable ID; $15. |
Which Names Can You Take in South Carolina?
Your marriage license can be used once per marriage to change your middle name, your last name, or both, so taking your spouse’s surname, hyphenating, or moving your maiden name to the middle position are all covered without a court. It cannot change your first name, and a first-name change or any later change needs a court order. The order matters: update Social Security first, wait 48 hours, then bring the license to the DMV.
South Carolina State Taxes
South Carolina has a state income tax, and the Department of Revenue has its own step (it does not just follow Social Security). In MyDORWAY, go to More, then Manage Names & Addresses, select your name under Legal, choose Change this name, and upload your marriage license. No MyDORWAY account? File Form SC8822I. Then give your employer an updated SC W-4.
South Carolina Marriage Certificate Offices by County
Order certified copies from the county Probate Court that issued your license. The statewide base fee is $5; some counties add a small processing or research fee:
| County | Certified copy fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $5.50 | +$1.50 online |
| Richland | $8 | online only |
| Charleston | $5 | online only |
| Horry | $5 | +$10 research for pre-1994 |
| Spartanburg | $5 | in-person cash only |
| Lexington | $5 | |
| Berkeley | $5 | |
| Dorchester | $11.50 |
Licensed Professional? Update With LLR
Most South Carolina professions, from nursing to real estate, are licensed by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR).
- Submit a written name-change request with a copy of your marriage certificate to your board.
- Or upload it online through Manage My License (Document Submission).
What a South Carolina Name Change Costs and How Long It Takes
The honest math for a standard married name change in South Carolina:
| Step | South Carolina cost |
|---|---|
| Social Security card (SS-5) | Free |
| Certified marriage certificate copies | $5 to $8 each, by county |
| Driver’s license | $10 ($25 for a first REAL ID) |
| Vehicle records | $0 (automatic; $15 only for a new paper title) |
Core out-of-pocket runs about $15 to $35 – South Carolina is one of the cheaper states.
Time: your new Social Security card takes about 2 to 3 weeks, and it must be updated at least 48 hours before the DMV. Then visit the DMV within the 10-day window (book the appointment early).
Other South Carolina Licenses to Update
A few state-issued credentials need your new name too:
| Credential | What to do |
|---|---|
| Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP) | Request a replacement from SLED: online in the SLED Services Portal, or mail Form R-02 with your name-change document. A replacement keeps your existing 5-year dates, and your old permit stays valid until the new one arrives. |
| Notary public | File the Secretary of State’s Change in Status form ($10, signed before another notary) within 45 days, then enroll with your county Clerk of Court and get a new seal. |
| Hunting and fishing | Update your name in your South Carolina DNR (SCDNR) license account. |
Update Your Voter Registration
Update your name at scVOTES.gov once your SC license or ID shows your new name, or mail a change form to your county board. The deadline is 30 days before an election.
Changing your name is one of the happiest kinds of paperwork there is. Take it one step at a time, in the order above, and you will be signing your new South Carolina name before you know it.