Richland County, SC
How to Change Your Name in Richland County
File your adult name change petition with the Family Court, Richland 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, Richland 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
- 1701 Main St, 1st Floor West Wing, Columbia, SC 29201
- Court phone
- 803-576-3320
- Jurisdiction
- Family Court
- Official forms
- www.richlandcountysc.gov/Courts-Safety/Family-Court ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Richland County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- 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 Richland County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Family Court, Richland 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 in person with the Family Court, Richland 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, Richland County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Richland 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 Richland County?
File with the Family Court, Richland 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: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Richland County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Family Court, Richland County clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Richland County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Family Court, Richland County clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Richland County?
Our directory does not record the certified-copy procedure for the Family Court, Richland County. Ask the Family Court, Richland County clerk how many copies are included and how to request extras.