How to Change Your Name Legally in Seattle, Washington
Seattle is in King County, Washington. Seattle residents who would like to legally change their names must petition the King County District Court. Individuals can petition to have their first, last and/or middle names changed. The name change process involves paying court and administrative costs, filling a Petition for Name Change, completing an Order for Name Change and attending a hearing before a judge.
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Things You'll Need
- Petition for Name Change form
- Order for Name Change form
- Photo identification
Instructions
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Obtain a Petition for Name Change form and an Order for Name Change form. Both forms are available online at the King County District Court Name Change Overview website (see Resources).
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Fill out the Petition for Name Change form. In the spaces provided, list your current full name and your proposed full name. Check the boxes given to indicate whether you are: a resident of King County, a registered sex offender and/or currently incarcerated in a Washington state prison. In section 4 of the petition, answer whether you have previously changed your name. Next, in section 5, briefly write why you are applying to change your name. Lastly, sign and date the form and provide your current address and the city where you signed the petition.
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Complete the Order for Name Change form. Include your name and address at the top of the form. Choose the division and courthouse where you plan to file your petition in King County from the drop-down menu. Write your current legal name under "In re the Petition of:." In the body of the order, legibly write your current legal name and your proposed name. Do not date or sign the order; the judge will do that. Do not complete the certification section; the clerk will do that.
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Go to the courthouse that you listed on the Order. Go to the clerk's office for the Civil District Court. Tell one of the clerks that you would like to file a Petition for Name Change. The clerk will assign a number to your case, which she will write on both your Petition and Order.
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Pay $150 (as of March 2011) to the clerk. This fee covers filing, recording and other costs associated with legally changing your name. You may pay by cash, check or money order.
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Ask the clerk when your name change petition will be presented to a judge. Attend that hearing and be prepared to answer any questions that the judge might ask regarding your reasons for changing your name. Give the Judge the Order for Name Change for him to sign.
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Tips & Warnings
Women who get married in Seattle generally do not have to file a petition to change their name if they are assuming their husband's last name. They will just need to show a copy of their marriage certificate to agencies such as a driver's license office or the Social Security Administration.
References
Resources
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