Charleston County, SC
How to Change Your Name in Charleston County
File your adult name change petition with the Family Court, Charleston County. The filing fee is $150. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full South Carolina checklist
The court step is one of many — the free state guide maps SSA, DMV, passport and the records that come after.
Court Information
- Court
- Family Court, Charleston County
- Filing fee
- $150
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- A person who has been a resident of South Carolina for at least six months may petition, in writing, a family court judge in the appropriate circuit (S.C. Code §15-49-10(A)).
- Court address
- Charleston County Judicial Center, 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, Charleston, SC 29401
- Court phone
- (843) 958-5000
- Jurisdiction
- Family Court
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Charleston County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- by mail or in person
Getting Certified Copies
Confirm with the clerk — not recorded in our data
You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and your banks — order more than one.
Step-by-Step Process
- Gather documents: certified birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of residency in Charleston County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Family Court, Charleston County clerk or its website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee, complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition by mail or in person with the Family Court, Charleston County
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — ask the clerk how to request them.
- Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records
Check what you are missing before you file
The free readiness score checks documents, forms, fees and privacy across four dimensions — and links the gaps to the same South Carolina guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Family Court, Charleston County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Charleston County, South Carolina?
The court filing fee is $150. A fee waiver is available for petitioners who qualify by income; file the waiver request together with your petition. Certified copies may cost extra; ask the clerk for the current copy fee.
Where and how do I file a name change in Charleston County?
File with the Family Court, Charleston County. Venue rule: A person who has been a resident of South Carolina for at least six months may petition, in writing, a family court judge in the appropriate circuit (S.C. Code §15-49-10(A)). Accepted filing methods: by mail or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Charleston County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Family Court, Charleston County clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Charleston County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Family Court, Charleston County clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Charleston County?
Our directory does not record the certified-copy procedure for the Family Court, Charleston County. Ask the Family Court, Charleston County clerk how many copies are included and how to request extras.