Restoring Your Name After Divorce in South Carolina: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against South Carolina Family Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
In South Carolina, you restore your former or maiden name after divorce through the divorce decree — request it in the divorce and the decree is your legal proof. There is usually no extra court fee. Then update Social Security first, then the DMV, then your passport. No newspaper notice is required.
Your personalized plan
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
What it costs
Restoring a former name through the divorce decree is free; no separate name-change petition or SLED background check is required
Family Court in the county where you have lived for at least six months
Step by step
- 1
Ask the Family Court to restore your former (maiden or prior) name inside your divorce complaint or at the final hearing — there is no extra charge and no SLED background check when restoration is handled through the divorce.
- 2
After the decree is signed, get a certified copy of the final divorce decree from the Clerk of Court showing your restored name.
- 3
Use the certified decree to update Social Security first (Form SS-5), then the SC DMV in person, then your passport and accounts.
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 ↗ |
- • You do not need a full separate name-change petition to return to a former name after divorce — the Family Court handles it in the divorce case, and the SLED and registry screenings required for a standalone petition do not apply.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your South Carolina license, then your passport and accounts.
Divorce name change in nearby states
Restoring Your Name After Divorce in South Carolina: FAQ
Can I restore my maiden name without paying again in South Carolina?
What if I forgot to ask for my former name in the divorce in South Carolina?
Do I need to publish a notice to restore my name after divorce in South Carolina?
What's the first ID to update after a divorce name change in South Carolina?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court
- www.sccourts.org/resources/general-public/self-help-resources
- dmv.sc.gov/Driver-Services/Drivers-License/Address-or-Name-Change
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.