How to Change Your Last Name Legally in Washington

Changing a last name in Washington is a multi-step process.

In Washington, legal name changes are filed in a local county District Court by completing a Petition for Name Change and an Order for Name Change. Each court maintains the necessary forms for completing a name change and fees also vary according to the county and number of persons named on the Petition. The Department of Health should be notified if you were born in Washington and plan to change your birth certificate once the name change is approved by a judge.

Instructions

1. Obtain a Petition for Name Change and an Order for Name Change from your local county court. In King County, for example--where Seattle and Bellevue are located--the Petition is a single page and requests information regarding the name change. Fill in your current name, intended new name and answer questions about citizenship, residency, criminal background and the reason for your name change request.

2. Sign the Petition at the bottom to declare that the name change is not being requested for fraudulent purposes, such as to avoid paying child support or a debt.

3. Obtain and complete the top of the Order for Name Change where it requests the Petitioner's name and address. Submit the Petition and Order to the county clerk for filing with the court. A photo ID may be required.

4. Pay the fees to the court for completing the name change. In King County, these include a filing fee, administrative cost and a recording fee. Additional fees apply for more than one certified copy of the change.

5. Wait for the name change case to be presented to a District judge for approval. Most courts in King County have daily hearings to review name change requests and the Petitioner is not required to appear. After it is approved, the change is recorded with the county auditor, which takes between six and eight weeks. Once the name change is recorded, you will receive an official copy with the recording number. Some other county courts do require Petitioners to appear before the judge in person.

6. Changing your last name upon marriage does not require these legal steps. Sign the marriage license with your former name after the ceremony, then sign all documents at the time of your marriage using your new last name if you plan to assume your husband's name, according to Washington Law Help.

7. Notify all appropriate entities of your name change once it is legal. Written notification may be required for a new driver's license, car registration and financial documents. Other notifications may include banks, insurance companies, employers and your children's schools.

References

• Washington Courts: Name Changes
• Washington Law Help: Name Change
• King County: Name Change Overview

Resources

• Washington Bar Association: Marriage Name Change