Adult Name Change in Washington: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Washington District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Washington is filed in the District Court (in the county where you live), costs about $50–$300 (typical $250, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 2–6 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.
Your personalized plan
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
What it costs
Under RCW 4.24.130 the court collects both a civil filing fee and the mandatory county auditor recording fee (about $203.50); totals commonly run $250–$300 (e.g., King County $98 application + $203.50 recording; Clark ~$296.50; Snohomish $58.50 + $203.50). Confirm the exact amount with your county District Court clerk.
District Court in the county where you live (Superior Court for sealed/confidential name changes)
Step by step
- 1
Complete your county District Court's Petition for Name Change (Individual) — Washington has no single statewide form, so use the packet your county District Court provides.
- 2
File the petition with the District Court in the county where you live and pay the filing fee plus the county recording fee, or file the Motion and Declaration for Waiver of Fees and Surcharges if you cannot afford them.
- 3
Attend a short hearing before the District Court judge, who reviews and signs the order (no newspaper publication and no background check are required).
- 4
Obtain the signed Order Changing Name and order certified copies from the clerk.
- 5
Use the certified order to update Social Security, the Department of Licensing (in person), your US passport, voter registration, and your accounts.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • There is no statewide standardized District Court name-change form; each county District Court supplies its own petition and instructions.
- • A sealed/confidential name change is available for safety reasons — domestic violence, stalking, harassment, coercive control, gender identity, or asylum/refugee/special-immigrant-juvenile status — and is filed in Superior Court, which automatically seals the file under RCW 4.24.130(5).
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Washington license, then your passport and accounts.
Adult petition name change in nearby states
Adult (Court) Name Change in Washington: FAQ
How much does a adult (court) name change cost in Washington?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Washington?
How long does it take in Washington?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Washington?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- kingcounty.gov/en/court/district-court/courts-jails-legal-system/name-changes
- www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.static&staticID=13
- dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/update-driver-license-information/change-your-name-or-address-your-driver-license
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.