Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2002 Session > Title 15

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SECTION 15-49-10. Application for change of name.

(A) A person who desires to change his name may petition, in writing, a family court judge in the appropriate circuit, setting forth the reason for the change, his age, his place of residence and birth, and the name by which he desires to be known.

(B) A parent who desires to change the name of his minor child may petition, in writing, a family court judge in the appropriate circuit. The other parent, if there is not one then the child, must be named as a party in the action unless waived by the court. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child. The court shall grant the petition if it finds that it is in the best interest of the child.

SECTION 15-49-20. Petition requirements for name change; notification; costs.

(A) A person who petitions the court for a name change must attach to the petition or have provided directly to the court and made a part of the record:

(1) the results of a fingerprint and criminal background check conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division;

(2) a screening statement from the Department of Social Services that indicates whether the person is listed on the department's Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect. If the person is listed on the registry and the court grants the petition for a name change, the clerk of court must notify the department of the change so that the department can accurately reflect the change in the Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect;

(3) an affidavit signed by the petitioner which provides whether the petitioner is under a court order to pay child support or alimony;

(4) a screening statement from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division that indicates whether the person is listed on the division's sex offender registry. If the person is listed on the registry and the court grants the petition for a name change, the clerk of court must notify the division of the change so that the division can accurately reflect the change in the sex offender registry.

This subsection does not apply to a minor child where the parent is seeking a name change for the minor child pursuant to Section 15-49-10(B), to a person seeking to return to the person's maiden name or a former married name in an action for divorce, or to a person seeking to change his or her name as a result of the person's marriage.

(B) Prior to issuing an order for a name change, the court may conduct a hearing on the petition and may order the petitioner to be present.

(C) Following the hearing and upon considering the petition, the reason contained in the petition, and other documentation before the court, the judge must determine and grant or refuse the name change as the judge considers proper, having a due regard to the true interest of the petitioner and protection of the public.

(D) If a petitioner is found to have a criminal record as indicated by the background check and the court grants the petition for a name change, the clerk of court must notify the State Law Enforcement Division of the petitioner's new name. The division must make the appropriate changes to the petitioner's criminal record.

(E) If a petitioner is in custody of the Department of Corrections and the court grants the petition for a name change, the clerk of court must notify the department of the petitioner's new name. The department must make the appropriate changes to the petitioner's department record.

(F) All costs associated with the requirements of this section are the sole responsibility of the petitioner.

SECTION 15-49-30. Filing fee.

The filing fee provided in Section 8-21-310(11)(a) applies with respect to an action for change of name.

SECTION 15-49-40. Use of new name in legal proceedings; effect on pending proceedings.

The person so changing his name may thereafter sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded by his new name and no other. When an action shall be pending at the time of such change of name it shall not abate by the party's name being changed, but the record on motion shall be amended by expunging the old name and inserting the new name of the party.

SECTION 15-49-50. Effect of change on old obligations.

When a person changing his name is bound by obligation or otherwise, the effect of which obligation would extend to and impose any obligation on the heirs, executors or administrators of the person so having changed his name, such heirs, executors or administrators shall be and remain bound, to all intents and purposes, in the same manner and to the same extent as if the person had not changed his name.