Marriage Name Change in South Carolina

Agency: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). Deadline: Within 10 days of the name change, per South Carolina law.

South Carolina law requires you to notify SCDMV of a name change within 10 days. A name change requires presenting proof of the legal name change — such as a certified marriage certificate — with your other required identification documents at an SCDMV branch.

Bring these documents:

• Updated Social Security card (reflecting your new name)
• Certified marriage certificate (proof of legal name change)
• Current South Carolina driver license or ID card
• Proof of your current physical address (dated within nine months)
• Proof of identity, citizenship, and date of birth

Open the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) →

The one order that matters is Social Security first, then your driver license — state offices verify your new name against SSA records. Your U.S. passport can be updated whenever it suits you; it is not required before your license.

Update Social Security first, then your South Carolina driver license — South Carolina agencies verify your new name against Social Security records, so going the other way causes rejections and wasted trips. Your U.S. passport is a separate, independent update: you do not need a new passport to get your license, and you can renew it whenever it suits your travel plans. Banks, employer, insurance, and the rest come after your license.