South Carolina Name Change Checklist After Marriage

Follow this sequence in South Carolina:

• 1. Certified marriage certificate: order copies from the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), Vital Records Section, Columbia, SC.
• 2. Social Security (SS-5): free, and always first.
• 3. Wait 24–48 hours for the SSA record to sync.
• 4. South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV): update your license ($10–$25 (varies; confirm with the agency)).
• 5. Passport: DS-82, DS-11, or DS-5504.
• 6. Voter registration & everyone else: bank, employer, insurers.

• Certified marriage certificate (or divorce decree/family court order)
• Completed SCDMV Form 4057 (Application for Name and/or Address Change)
• Completed SCDMV Form 447-NC (Application for Beginner's Permit, Driver's License, or ID Card)
• Proof of Social Security Administration name update (must update with SSA at least 48 hours before visiting SCDMV)
• Current driver's license/ID and proof of residency (for REAL ID)

Good to know for South Carolina: State fee $12 standard (4 weeks) or $17 expedited (5-7 business days) via VitalChek, plus VitalChek service charge (~$12.85); $3 for additional copies. Covers marriages July 1950-December 2023; earlier/later records require the county Probate Court. In-person office pickup temporarily unavailable as of 6/19/2025.

• Certified marriage certificate (3 copies): $30–$90
• Social Security card (Form SS-5): Free
• Driver's license update (South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV)): $10–$25 (varies; confirm with the agency)
• Passport (only if you update it): Free–$165
• Voter registration: Free

Most people spend roughly $40–$280 in South Carolina: on the low end if you skip the passport, on the high end with a full passport renewal and extra certificate copies.