Updated August 14, 2023
Washington name change forms are available to adults residing in the state who wish to legally change their name. Name change petitions must be filed in the district court in the county where the petitioner resides. Petitions are not required for a name change in order to legally change one’s name after marriage or divorce.
Name Change After Marriage
One of the most common reasons for a name change is taking that of a spouse after marriage. You have the right to take your spouse’s name or, if you prefer, to hyphenate your last name. Although it seems counter-intuitive, sign the marriage license with your old name since you are still legally known by that name until the license is approved. Once the marriage is official, sign all documentation with your new name, including the marriage certificate. This certificate will act as proof of your legal name change.
To obtain copies of a marriage certificate issued within the last five months, visit the auditor’s office for the county where the license was obtained. For a marriage that occurred more than five months ago, you can order them online from the Vital Records office of the state Department of Health. The fee is $25.
Name Change After Divorce
Changing a name after a divorce is a straightforward process. Simply state a desire to revert to a maiden name in the marital settlement agreement and before the divorce decree is finalized. The court will include this change in the divorce decree, and the clerk will issue a divorce certificate.
To obtain copies of a divorce certificate issued within the last five months, visit the superior court clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized. For a divorce certificate pertaining to a divorce that occurred more than five months ago, order online from the Vital Records Office. As with a marriage certificate, the fee is $25.
How to Change Your Name (5 steps)
- Download Petition
- Gather Documentation
- Inform Authorities, if Necessary
- File Petition
- Judge’s Approval
1. Download Petition
There are no standardized name change forms for the State of Washington, so petitioners must access their county’s district court website, or go in person, to obtain the proper forms.[1] Select your county from the list of Washington counties. Locate the ‘district court’ section and click on the link for their official website. Each county’s district court website will provide the appropriate name change forms.
Download the appropriate Adult Name Change Petition Form and complete all fields except for the signature field. It is not mandatory for the Petition to be signed in front of a notary public. However, it’s important to note that by signing this form, you are doing so under penalty of perjury, and perjury is a class B felony.
2. Gather Documentation
Proof of identity is required when filing a name change petition. Bring a copy of your driver’s license or passport. It’s a good idea to also have a certified copy of your birth certificate before submitting your petition to the court clerk, because the judge assigned to your case may require it.[2]
There may be additional documentation required. Check your county’s district court website to ensure you are prepared before visiting the courthouse.
3. Inform Authorities, if Necessary
If you are currently incarcerated, or on probation or parole, you must submit a copy of your Adult Change of Name Petition Form to the Department of Corrections.[3] Even after informing the department, a judge can deny your petition if it will interfere with the penal system, unless you can show that it is for religious reasons, or because of marriage or divorce.
If you are required to register as a sex offender, you must submit a copy of your application to the office of the sheriff for your county of residence.[4] Similar restrictions and exceptions apply as those described in the previous paragraph.
4. File Petition
Visit your county’s district court and file your petition with the court clerk. They will review it to make sure all the appropriate information has been provided and demand the filing fee. State law gives counties the ability to set their own fees, and the amount and accepted manner of payment is typically posted on the court system’s website.[5] King County, for example, charges a total of $301.50, which includes a filing fee, administrative costs, and the recording cost.
If you want to apply for a fee waiver, file the following forms along with your petition:
5. Judge’s Approval
More often than not, the petitioner will not be required to appear before a judge. A judge will be assigned to your case and will review the petition in their private chambers. If they are satisfied with the reasoning behind your proposed name change, they will sign an Order for Name Change. This will be sent to you, even as early as the same day you file your petition, and can be used to update your name with various government agencies and on important identification documents.
Once the name change has been approved, you will need to send certified copies of all the completed paperwork to:
Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709
If you fall into either of the categories described in Step 3, you will also need to provide a copy of the name change order after it is approved.
Driver’s License
One of the first things you should do after legally changing your name is update your driver’s license. Washington’s Department of Licensing does not allow name changes to be made online; you will be required to visit the DMV in person.
Find your nearest WA DOL office and present proof of your name change (marriage license, court order, divorce decree). You will be asked to pay the $20 replacement fee before you are issued a new driver’s license.[6]
Voter Registration
Updating your new name on your voter registration can be accomplished online, by mail, or in person. (In order to complete the process online, you will need a Washington driver’s license or ID.) If you’d like to update your registration information online, visit the online voter registration page and follow the prompts.
To update your information by mail or in person, download and complete the Voter Registration Form. Hand-deliver or mail this form to your county’s elections office.