Trans Resource Navigator

Washington

ID documents
Protective
Care
Protective
Shield lawA state law that protects patients and providers of gender-affirming care from investigations, subpoenas, or extradition attempts by states that ban that care.
Yes, protects care

Washington is one of the most protective states for trans people.

More about Washington

There is no newspaper publication for name changes, and a name change related to gender identity can be filed in Superior Court and sealed automatically. Driver's licenses and birth certificates offer M, F, or X on your own signed statement, with no doctor's letter or court order. Apple Health (Medicaid) and state-regulated insurance must cover medically necessary gender-affirming care, and a shield law (chapter 7.115 RCW, HB 1469) protects patients and providers from other states' actions. Federal documents (passport, Social Security) are the exception: their sex fields are currently frozen nationwide.

This state’s pages are drafts written from official sources and not yet checked by a person. What this means

Your documents, in order

Most people go in this order, because each office checks the one before it. On every document, updating your name and changing your gender marker are separate questions with separate answers.

  1. Legal name changeState court
    Name
    YesNo newspaper notice, court hearing required
  2. Social SecurityFederal, same in every state
    Name
    YesAfter your legal name change
    Gender marker
    NoCannot be changed right now
  3. Driver's license / state IDWashington DMV
    Name
    YesAfter your legal name change
    Gender marker
    YesM, F, or X with your own signed form
  4. US passportFederal, same in every state
    Name
    YesAfter your legal name change
    Gender marker
    NoCannot be changed right now
  5. Birth certificateOnly if born in Washington
    Name
    YesAfter your legal name change
    Gender marker
    YesM, F, or X with your own signed form

Born somewhere other than Washington? Your birth certificate follows the state where you were born. Choose your birth state

Gender-affirming care

Adults
Allowed
Under 18
Allowed
Gender-affirming care is legal and protected for adults and minors in Washington.Find clinics, health centers, telehealth, and ways to pay

Local help

Statewide organizations

  • QLaw Foundation, 2SLGBTQIA+ Legal Clinic[6]

    Free 30-minute phone consultations with volunteer attorneys on civil legal issues, including name and gender marker changes. Appointments on the 1st Friday and 3rd Monday of each month; request help through the online form or call 206-483-2725 ext. 102.

    • Free
    206-483-2725

  • Gender Justice League[7]

    Seattle-based trans advocacy group running free ID document clinics with volunteer caseworkers, financial help with document fees, and downloadable Washington name and gender marker guides for adults and youth. 206-659-5519.

    • Free
    206-659-5519

  • Ingersoll Gender Center[8]

    Organization by and for trans and gender-nonconforming people; free peer support groups, resource navigation, and a trans-friendly health care provider directory. 911 E Pike St, Suite 221, Seattle; 206-849-7859.

    • Free
    206-849-7859911 E Pike St, Suite 221, Seattle, WA 98122

  • Trans Lifeline[9]

    Peer-support hotline run by and for trans people, 877-565-8860.

    • Free
    877-565-8860
Sources for this page (9)

Sources

9 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.

  1. RCW 4.24.130, Action for change of name, feesWashington State Legislature, Law. accessed
    “Upon granting the name change, the superior court shall seal the file to protect the person's privacy.”
  2. Change your gender designationWashington State Department of Licensing, Official page. accessed
  3. WAC 246-490-075, Changing sex designation on a birth certificateWashington State Legislature, Regulation. accessed
  4. Chapter 7.115 RCW, Protected health care servicesWashington State Legislature, Law. accessed
  5. HB 1469 (2023), access to reproductive health care services and gender-affirming treatment (ch. 193, Laws of 2023)Washington State Legislature, Law. accessed
  6. 2SLGBTQIA+ Legal ClinicQLaw Foundation, Organization. accessed
    “free 30-minute phone consultations with volunteer attorneys”
  7. Legal clinicsGender Justice League, Organization. accessed
  8. Ingersoll Gender CenterOrganization. accessed
  9. Trans LifelineOrganization. accessed