Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Washington (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Washington is $329, which includes a $314 court filing fee, and $15 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $314 · Processing time: ~4 weeks
Estimated costs by reason
Totals include Social Security (free), driver’s license, and adult passport selections—matching the calculator defaults.
| Reason | Estimated total cost | Timeline | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Marriage | $165 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $165 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $479 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $529 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $479 | ~10 weeks | Sealed |
Which state are you in?
Why are you changing your name?
Which documents do you need to update?
How to Change Your Name in Washington
Washington Superior Court filing fees for name changes run $200-$240 depending on the county. King County (Seattle) is approximately $240 while Spokane County and Pierce County (Tacoma) are similar. After-marriage name changes in Washington use your marriage certificate directly - no court petition required - which is the most affordable path for newlyweds.
Washington does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, simplifying the process. You file your petition in the Superior Court of the county where you reside. Washington courts have well-developed self-help resources through the Washington Courts website and LawHelp Washington, with name change packet guides available in multiple languages reflecting the state's diverse population.
Washington is one of the more progressive states for gender identity name changes. Washington allows gender marker changes on state IDs with a self-certification form and no medical documentation required. Washington also allows non-binary (X) gender markers on driver's licenses and state IDs. Name change and gender marker change can be combined in a single Superior Court filing.
The Washington DOL (Department of Licensing) charges $25 for a corrected Washington driver's license with a name change. Visit any Washington DOL driver licensing office with your court order or marriage certificate, current Washington license, and proof of SSA update. Washington DOL allows online appointment scheduling at most locations, which is strongly recommended to minimize wait times.
Washington divorce decrees routinely include name restoration clauses. Washington Superior Courts are receptive to this request, and including name restoration in your original divorce decree is standard practice that avoids a separate petition.
Key Washington links: Washington Courts (courts.wa.gov), Washington DOL (dol.wa.gov), LawHelp Washington (lawhelp.org/wa) and Northwest Justice Project (nwjustice.org) for free legal assistance.
Washington name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $314 |
| Certified copies (3 × $5 each) | $15 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $20 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 125% federal poverty level |
Common reasons in Washington
Name Change Guides for Washington
FAQ: Washington name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Washington?
- Court filing fees in Washington start around $314 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $5 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Washington?
- Many Washington court petitions finish in about 4 weeks, but crowded dockets, publication, or fingerprinting can add time. After-marriage updates using a certificate are often faster because they skip the petition.
- Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper in Washington?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Washington do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Washington?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Washington if you meet the court’s income guidelines (At or below 125% federal poverty level). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Washington?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Washington residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Washington?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Washington marriage certificate, you typically update Social Security first, then your driver’s license, then banks and payroll. Hyphenated or new invented names may still require a court petition—check local court rules.
Voter Registration After Your Name Change
After legally changing your name in Washington, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Washington offers online voter registration paths for many voters, though some counties still require mail or an in-person visit for certain updates. If your registration still shows an old name close to an election, you may face additional checks at the polling place. See the full 50-state voter registration guide for deadlines, typical documents, and official Vote.gov links.
Related: SAVE Act & name change overview