How to Change Your Name in South Dakota

Instructions - howtochangeyourname.com/south-dakota.htm
Homepage - howtochangeyourname.com

Intsructions on how to change your name in South Dakota under statute 21-37 that allows a resident of the State to change their name after marriage, after divorce, and for personal reasons. The process starts with the filing of a petition to the county where you reside.

Name Change Petition. - The first step of the name change process is to complete a name change petition and civil cover sheet. This is the official form for applying for your new name.
Download South Dakota Name Change Packet. This will have all the forms and State instructions necessary to compete the name change.

Notary. - You must have all your petition notarized. This can be done by going to you branch bank where you reside.

Submit Forms. - You must submit the name change petition and the civil cover sheet to the county court clerk's office where you live. You must pay a filing fee and the clerk will direct you to complete a 'Notice of Name Change Hearing' that you will complete and it will contain your court hearing date.
List of Courts in South Dakota

Publication. - You must send the 'Notice of Name Change Hearing' to the newspaper that circulates in the county you have made petition. The public notice must run for at least 4 weeks and must appear once every 7 days.
List of South Dakota Newspapers
After successful publication you must receive an 'Affidavit of Publication' from the newspaper. This is the only certification that states you made a successful publication of your new name.
Hearing Date. - Attend your court hearing date with all the forms you have including the 'Name Change Decree' that the judge will sign and will act as your official certificate for changing your name at any public or private institution.