CO
Carrie Orozco
Jan 29, 2026
It was not my choice to use this bank, but my husband has been a SouthState client for years and wanted to use them for his small business, which I assist with as an authorized user. We were recently married, and I legally changed my last name with the Social Security Administration.
Yesterday, I visited both SouthState and Chase to update my name on my accounts. I brought official documentation from the SSA confirming my new legal name, along with an apostilled, notarized, and attested true copy of our marriage license. The branch manager at SouthState turned me away without reviewing any documents or introducing herself, stating she required my updated DMV license.
I then went directly to Chase. They were friendly, professional, asked if it was okay for someone else to observe the interaction, reviewed my documentation, and immediately processed my legal name change.
Today, I went to the SCDMV to update my license. The DMV was not issuing plastic licenses on site, but returned my old license attached to an official Temporary Driving Certificate with a scanable barcode showing images of my new license (front and back), my new photo, and updated last name. This document is valid for driving, voting, and photo identification until the permanent license arrives.
I went out of my way to return to SouthState with this documentation. The same manager barely glanced at it before refusing again, stating in a condescending tone, “I told you yesterday we need the actual license,” without explanation or apology. She also had another unidentified person in her office during this interaction, and I was neither introduced to them nor asked whether it was acceptable for them to listen in.
At this point, my marriage and legal name change have been processed with the Social Security Administration, SCDMV, the State of South Carolina, and Charleston County. I have successfully updated my name with Chase (bank accounts, credit cards, retirement accounts), Alliant Credit Union (savings account), auto insurance, and other institutions. With my current documentation, I can vote, buy alcohol, present identification to law enforcement, and conduct every other aspect of my financial life under my legal name — but SouthState will not simply update my last name on my debit card.
If this account were solely in my name, I would have closed it on the spot. I will not return to this branch.
