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

Verified against South Dakota Circuit Court (Unified Judicial System) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in South Dakota is filed in the South Dakota Circuit Court (Civil), costs about $70, and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–12 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

$70

Similar statewide clerk filing fee as an adult petition (reported at about $70); confirm the exact amount with your county clerk of courts.

Court

South Dakota Circuit Court (Civil)

Circuit Court in the county where you have resided for at least six months

Timeline

6–12 weeks

Step by step

1
Complete Form UJS-030 (Verified Petition for Name Change of a Minor) and review the UJS-029A checklist; file with the clerk of courts in the county where the child resides.
2
Provide notice to and, where possible, obtain the consent of the child's other parent — use Form UJS-033 (Consent for Uncontested Change of Name of a Minor Child) or serve notice on a non-consenting parent (Form UJS-032A).
3
The court sets a hearing (Form UJS-031); publish the notice once a week for four successive weeks in a legal newspaper as required by SDCL 21-37-4.
4
Attend the hearing, where the judge decides based on the child's best interest, and obtain the signed Form UJS-034 (Order for Name Change of Minor Child).
5
Use certified copies of the order 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
Checklist — Uncontested Name Change of a Minor Child	UJS-029A	Open ↗
Verified Petition for Name Change of a Minor	UJS-030	Open ↗
Notice of Hearing for Name Change of Minor Child	UJS-031	Open ↗
Consent for Uncontested Change of Name of Minor Child	UJS-033	Open ↗
Order for Name Change of Minor Child	UJS-034	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Required — Notice of the hearing must be published once a week for four successive weeks in a legal newspaper in the county, per SDCL 21-37-4.

Background check: No background check

Good to know in South Dakota:

• Both parents generally must be given notice; a non-consenting parent must be served, and if a parent cannot be located, ask the court about alternative service.
• The court decides a minor's name change based on the child's best interest, not solely the parents' preference.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

Delaware →North Dakota →Rhode Island →Alaska →

Minor Child Name Change in South Dakota: FAQ

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

About $70, filed in the South Dakota Circuit Court (Civil). Similar statewide clerk filing fee as an adult petition (reported at about $70); confirm the exact amount with your county clerk of courts..

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

Yes. Notice of the hearing must be published once a week for four successive weeks in a legal newspaper in the county, per SDCL 21-37-4.

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

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 be given notice; a non-consenting parent must be served, and if a parent cannot be located, ask the court about alternative service.

How long does it take in South Dakota?

Typically 6–12 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 Dakota?

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.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.