If you want to change your name in Washington State, the process you follow will depend on if you’re doing it because of marriage, divorce or personal preference.
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Updated on: September 17, 2024 · 8 min read
There are many reasons you might want to change your name—all of them deeply personal. No matter which big life change you’re navigating, whether it’s marriage, divorce, or changing your name to match your gender identity, we have the steps you can follow to proceed through the process with ease.
The procedure to change your name after getting married is simpler than the standard name change process.
You’ll use your marriage certificate as your legal name change document when notifying other agencies of your new name. Using this process, you can only change your name to your partner’s name or a hyphenation of both of your names.
Changing your name when getting divorced follows a similar process to when you get married. During the divorce process, you must state that you’d like to revert to a previous name or your maiden name. You can state your preference to change your name at any point up to the finalization of the divorce decree. Your name should be included in your divorce decree.
Your divorce decree will act as your legal name change document. You can show this to the SSA to get your name back.
If you don’t request to change your name as part of the divorce decree, you will need to follow the name change procedure below.
An important note: This process only works when changing back to a name you previously had. You cannot change to an entirely new name using this process. You’d need to follow the name change process to do that.
If you’re changing your name for any reason other than recently getting married or divorced, you’ll follow the process of requesting a name change via court order. To change your name in Washington, you must be a resident of the state.
If the district court determines that you’re applying for a name change for fraudulent reasons, your name change petition may be denied.
The first step in changing your name in Washington is to fill out the Petition for Change of Name. This form will then be submitted to the superior court in the county where you live.
The form requires you to fill in your name, the name you wish to change to, and the reason for the change.
In some counties, you can find the necessary forms online, fill them out digitally, and submit them digitally. In other counties, you may need to submit the forms in person. The fee varies by county but will cost approximately $260.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask for the fee to be waived. The Fee Waiver request will be submitted along with your petition.
If you are changing your name for safety reasons, you may request a sealed name change. This can provide an additional level of protection and anonymity.
When you submit your petition for name change, the court clerk will help you identify the specific next steps for your case. They may also have you fill out a case cover sheet and type sheet.
The next step in your name change process is to attend a court hearing. All name change petitions require a court hearing in Washington.
The court clerk will assign a case number and tell you how to schedule your court hearing at the time you submit your paperwork. In some courts, you can attend court virtually. In others, you must appear for an in-person appointment. The hearing should be quick and easy.
Typically, the court process follows this procedure:
Once the judge is satisfied with your answers and paperwork, they will provide a ruling on your petition. In general, name change petitions in Washington are approved unless the judge believes you are trying to change your name for fraudulent reasons.
Once the judge grants your name change, you’ll want to get certified copies of the Name Change Order. You can get these copies at the courthouse right after your hearing.
The certified copies of your Name Change Order will be used as your legal name change document. You may want up to five copies so you can change your name with the various agencies and companies. Certified copies cost $5 each.
Your final step in the name change process is to update your name with government agencies. It’s best to start by updating your name with the Social Security Administration and on your government IDs, such as your driver’s license and passport.
If you are changing the name of a minor in the state of Washington, you must be the child’s parent or legal guardian. The process is much simpler if both parents agree to the child’s name change.
The process for changing a minor’s name when both parents agree is similar to the adult name change process, though the parents or guardian will submit the written request for the minor.
If both parents agree, you may also be able to change a child’s name through a birth certificate amendment. This process can be less expensive than getting a court order and allows you to change the child’s first or middle name. You can only use this process once.
If the parents disagree, the court can help decide what’s best for the child. The judge will assess how the name change will affect the child while evaluating their relationship with both parents and any other relevant factors.
Similar to the process for adults, the process for changing a minor’s name depends heavily on the county where you live and apply for the name change.
Once you have received your name change Washington state, you’ll want to update your name in many different places. It’s recommended that you first change your name with the SSA and on your government IDs, such as an enhanced driver license or state ID.
Once that’s completed, there are many other places you may want to change your name. These include:
In Washington, the cost to file for a name change will depend upon the county where you live and are applying for a name change. In general, it costs approximately $260 to request a name change. An additional cost is the $5 per certified copy. You’ll need at least five copies.
If you can’t afford the filing fee, you can request a fee waiver. Note that, if you hire an attorney or use an online service provider, this will be an additional cost.
Yes. You cannot change your name to avoid debt or for other fraudulent purposes. As well, if you’re changing the name of a minor, you need the agreement of both parents or intervention from a judge.
The length of the name change process will depend upon the county in which you file. Some counties have longer waiting times for scheduling a hearing date. You can expect the process to take anywhere from a few weeks to months.
Yes, you can get a sealed name change.
A sealed name change allows the court record to remain private and confidential. If you change your name confidentially, you will need to go through special steps to prove your identity each time you need a copy of your court order.
A sealed name change is available to:
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