A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 15-49-10, RELATING TO PETITIONS FOR NAME CHANGES SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT ANY PERSON MAY PETITION FOR A SURNAME CHANGE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A SPOUSE, IF ANY, HAS PETITIONED FOR THE SAME SURNAME CHANGE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 15-49-30, RELATING TO FILING FEE FOR A PETITION FOR A NAME CHANGE, SO AS TO WAIVE THE FILING FEE FOR THE FIRST PETITION FOR A SURNAME CHANGE FILED BY ANY SPOUSE WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE ISSUANCE OF A MARRIAGE LICENSE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Section 15-49-10 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   (C) Any person, regardless of sex, gender, or marital status, who desires to change his or her surname may petition the family court pursuant to subsection (A) notwithstanding the filing, or absence of a filing, of a petition for the same surname change by his or her spouse, if any.

SECTION 2.   Section 15-49-30 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   Section 15-49-30.   (A) The filing fee provided in Section 8-21-310(C)(1) applies with respect to an action for change of name.

   (B) Notwithstanding subsection (A), the filing fee is waived for the first petition for a surname change filed by any spouse within one year of the issuance of a marriage license.

SECTION 3.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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