Changing A Name
SDCL § 21-37-2 — six months in the county, notice published for four successive weeks, and a hearing in circuit court
A person who has been a bona fide resident of a county for six months before filing may petition its circuit court, stating the reason and the name asked for.
Published notice. The petitioner publishes notice of the hearing once a week for four successive weeks in a legal newspaper of the county. For a minor, any parent not a party is served as with a summons.
At the hearing, on proof of notice and of proper and reasonable cause, the court orders the change.
A name change at marriage or divorce follows a simpler path. A particular petition is a question for a licensed South Dakota attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- SDCL § 21-37-2 — Residence required for change of name of person; Proceedings
- SDCL § 21-37-3 — Petition for change of name of person; Contents
- SDCL § 21-37-4 — Notice of hearing on change of name of person
- SDCL § 21-37-5 — Hearing and order changing name of person
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Dakota attorney.