Minor Child Name Change in South Carolina: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against South Carolina Family Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in South Carolina is filed in the South Carolina Family Court, costs about $150, and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 8–16 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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What it costs

Filing fee

$150

Same $150 Family Court filing fee as an adult petition; a guardian ad litem fee may also apply

Court

South Carolina Family Court

Family Court in the county where you have lived for at least six months

Timeline

8–16 weeks

Step by step

1
File the Petition for Change of Name for the minor in the Family Court of the county where the child lives, along with the Family Court Coversheet (SCCA 467), and pay the $150 filing fee.
2
Give the child's other parent notice of the petition and obtain their consent, or show the Family Court why consent or service cannot be obtained.
3
The Family Court appoints a guardian ad litem to investigate and report whether the requested name change is in the best interest of the child.
4
Attend the hearing; the judge grants the petition only if it serves the child's best interest, not merely the parents' preference.
5
Obtain the signed order and use certified copies to update the child's Social Security record, school records, and passport.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

Form	Code	Official link
Family Court Coversheet	SCCA467	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Not required — No newspaper publication is required; notice to the child's other parent is required instead.

Background check: Background check sometimes required

Good to know in South Carolina:

• Both parents generally must receive notice, and the non-petitioning parent's consent is expected; if a parent cannot be located, ask the Family Court how to proceed.
• A guardian ad litem must be appointed for the child, and the court decides on the 'best interest of the child' standard under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-49-20.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your South Carolina license, then your passport and accounts.

Who to notify →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Minor child name change in nearby states

Minnesota →Alabama →Colorado →Louisiana →

Minor Child Name Change in South Carolina: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in South Carolina?

About $150, filed in the South Carolina Family Court. Same $150 Family Court filing fee as an adult petition; a guardian ad litem fee may also apply.

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in South Carolina?

No. South Carolina does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.

Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in South Carolina?

Both parents generally must be notified. If the other parent objects or can't be found, the court decides based on the child's best interest. Both parents generally must receive notice, and the non-petitioning parent's consent is expected; if a parent cannot be located, ask the Family Court how to proceed.

How long does it take in South Carolina?

Typically 8–16 weeks from filing to a signed order, then Social Security (7–10 business days), the DMV, and your passport (4–6 weeks).

What do I do after the judge signs my order in South Carolina?

Order certified copies, then update Social Security first, the DMV next, then your passport, banks, and employer. Our Who-To-Notify Checklist builds the full ordered list.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.