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Washington birth certificates

Update your name
YesAfter your legal name change
Gender markerThe sex or gender field (M, F, or X) printed on an ID document or stored in an agency's record.
YesM, F, or X with your own signed form

If you were born in Washington, you can change the sex on your birth certificate to M, F, or X with a notarized one-page form. No court order, doctor's letter, or surgery. The change itself is free; each new certified copy is $25.

Main cost
Free
Apply
By mail or in person
Typical wait
about 2 weeks

Draft from official sources, September 24, 2026. Not yet checked by a person. How we verify

This applies only if you were born here. Birth certificates follow your birth state, not where you live now. Choose your birth state

On this page
  1. How it works
  2. Steps
  3. Costs and fee waivers
  4. Forms
  5. Requirements
  6. Minors
  7. After you finish
  8. Tips
  9. Laws and other guides
  10. Sources

How it works

The Department of Health (DOH), Center for Health Statistics, changes sex designations under WAC 246-490-075. Adults (and emancipated minors) sign the request in front of a notary; DOH does not accept, or need, a court order or physician letter. For minors, a parent or guardian applies and a licensed health care or mental health provider signs. The new record does not show that a change was made.

You can change your name on the certificate in the same request if you include a certified copy of your court-ordered name change. This guide only covers people born in Washington. If you were born in another state or country, follow that place's rules.

Steps

  1. Fill out the request form[1][2]

    Adults use DOH 422-143; parents of minors use DOH 422-144 and have the child's licensed health care or mental health provider sign it. Add DOH 422-182 if you want a new certificate mailed to you.

  2. Sign in front of a notary (adults)[2][4]

    Do not sign until you are with the notary. The signature is under penalty of perjury.

  3. Attach your name change order if your name changed[2][3]

    If your current legal name differs from the certificate, include a certified copy of the court order (photocopies are not accepted and it is not returned). You can have the new name put on the certificate in the same request.

  4. Mail it or bring it to an appointment[1]

    Mail to Center for Health Statistics, Department of Health, PO Box 47814, Olympia, WA 98504-7814, with a check or money order for $25 per certificate ordered. Or book an in-person appointment (no walk-ins). Questions: SexDesignationChange@doh.wa.gov or 360-236-4300.

    Cost
    Free change the sex designation on the record; $25 certified copy of the new birth certificate (each)

  5. Receive your new certificate[1]

    DOH says it processes sex designation changes in about three business days; allow up to two weeks for mail.

    Time
    about 2 weeks

Costs and fee waivers

No fee waiver is available for this step.[2]

No fee waiver is listed, but the change itself is free; only certificate copies cost money.

WhatCostNotes
Change the sex designation on the record[1][2]Free
Certified copy of the new birth certificate (each)[1][2]$25If you send in a certified copy issued less than one year ago, DOH exchanges it at no charge.

More detail

Forms4 forms: DOH 422-143, DOH 422-144, DOH 422-182, DOH 422-126

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

DOH 422-143Request to Change Sex Designation on a Birth Certificate for an AdultSometimes required: Adults 18+ and emancipated minors (include proof of emancipation).

Adults 18+ and emancipated minors (include proof of emancipation). A guardian of an adult includes proof of guardianship.

How to fill it out

  • Your name as it appears on the birth certificate, then your full current legal name if different.
  • If your current legal name is different, you must attach a certified court order. Check "Amend name on birth certificate? Yes" if you want the new name on the certificate.
  • Check the current sex designation and the one you want (Male, Female, or X).
  • Sign in front of a notary. Many banks and UPS stores notarize for a small fee or free.

Open DOH 422-143[2]

DOH 422-144Request to Change Sex Designation on a Birth Certificate for a MinorSometimes required: Minors under 18. Completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian, signed by a licensed…

Minors under 18. Completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian, signed by a licensed health care or mental health care provider, with a copy of the parent's photo ID.

Open DOH 422-144[1][4]

DOH 422-182Birth Certificate Order FormOptional

The change does not automatically send you a new certificate. Include this form and $25 per copy to receive one.

Open DOH 422-182Official Spanish version[1][2]

DOH 422-126Court Order Legal Name Change RequestOptional

Only to update your name without a sex designation change. Send with a certified copy of the court order (it will not be returned).

Open DOH 422-126Official Spanish version[3]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, timeline
Where you live
You must have been born in Washington. Where you live now does not matter.[1][2][4]
Age
Adults 18 and older and emancipated minors use DOH 422-143. Minors use DOH 422-144, filed by a parent or guardian.
How long it takes

About three business days to process, plus up to two weeks for mail.

MinorsA parent or legal guardian applies with DOH 422-144 and a copy of their photo ID.

A parent or legal guardian applies with DOH 422-144 and a copy of their photo ID. The child's licensed health care or mental health care provider must sign, attesting that the change is consistent with the child's identity. Separately, parents can change a Washington-born child's first and middle name once without a court order using the Affidavit for Correction if all listed parents sign.

[1][4][5]
After you finishUse the new certificate for state records.

Use the new certificate for state records. DOH itself warns that it is unsure whether federal agencies such as the passport office will accept amended certificates; as of September 2026 the passport and Social Security sex fields cannot be changed regardless. Keep your court order with the certificate so you can link your old and new names.

Tips1 tip from people who have done this
  • Nothing on the new record shows that a change was made, which can make it harder to connect to documents in your old name. Keep certified copies of your name change order.
Laws and other guides1 law, 1 other guide

Laws and rules

  • WAC 246-490-075: Changing sex designation (M, F, or X) on a birth certificate; adults by notarized self-attestation, minors with provider statement

Other trusted guides

Sources

5 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. Sex designation change on a birth certificateWashington State Department of Health, Official page. accessed
    “A Washington State birth certificate has three options for sex designation, M, F, and X.”
  2. DOH 422-143, Request to Change Sex Designation on a Birth Certificate for an Adult (July 2022)Washington State Department of Health, Form. accessed
    “There is no fee to amend the record.”
  3. Court-ordered name changeWashington State Department of Health, Official page. accessed
  4. WAC 246-490-075Washington State Legislature, Regulation. accessed
  5. Name change guide (minor name changes through the birth certificate)Northwest Justice Project, WashingtonLawHelp.org, Organization. accessed