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Legal name change in Washington

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Change your legal name
Yes
Publication requirementA rule in some states that a name-change petition be printed in a newspaper before it is granted. Many states waive it for trans petitioners or for safety.
Not required
Court hearing
Required
Sealed recordA court file that is kept confidential and not available to the public.
Possible

Washington adults can change their name by court order with no newspaper publication. If your name change is related to your gender identity, you can file in Superior Court and the court seals the record automatically; you just check a box, no proof needed. Either way, you attend a short hearing (sometimes by video).

Main cost
$98, can be waived
Apply
Online, by mail, or in person

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

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

How it works

Washington has two kinds of court-ordered name change under RCW 4.24.130:

  • Public (non-sealed) name change in District Court. Anyone can use it. It is usually the cheapest option, but the order is a public record and is normally recorded with the county auditor/recorder.
  • Sealed name change in Superior Court. Available if your request is related to gender expression or identity (or to domestic violence, stalking, harassment, or coercive control; asylum or refugee status; or emancipation). Saying the change is related to your gender identity is enough; you do not have to prove anything. When the name change is granted, the court seals the file, and there is no public access to the filing, hearing, or order even if the petition is denied.

Since 2023 you may file in any Washington court, not only in the county where you live. Neither kind requires publication in a newspaper. Both require a short hearing. A sealed order is more private, but it adds steps later: you prove your identity each time you buy more certified copies, and the Department of Licensing uses a special, slower process to update your license.

Steps

  1. Choose sealed (Superior Court) or public (District Court)[2][1][4][5]

    • Sealed, if your name change is related to your gender identity or expression and you want the record private. File in any Superior Court. Costs more (King County: $290) but can be waived.
    • Public, if privacy is not a concern, or if you must register as a sex offender or are under DOC supervision. File in any District Court. King County: $98 plus a $203.50 recording fee.

    Think about the trade-off: with a sealed order, the DOL uses a special identity-management process (an interview, and a longer wait for your card), and getting more certified copies later means proving your identity to the clerk.

  2. Fill out your petition[3][2][4]

    Sealed: ask the Superior Court clerk whether the county has local forms or needs extras (cover sheet, confidential information sheet, notice of hearing). If not, use NJP License 410 (petition), 411 (findings), and 412 (order).

    Public: use the District Court's own forms. Do not use the NJP sealed forms in District Court.

  3. Ask for a fee waiver if you cannot pay[1][2]

    Optional

    By statute, if you (or a qualified legal aid provider) file an affidavit that you cannot pay because of financial hardship, the court must waive all fees, and must also order the county auditor to waive the recording fee. If the clerk says you do not qualify, say you would like a judge to decide; only a judge can deny a waiver.

  4. File with the clerk and get a hearing date[2][4][5]

    Bring photo ID. Pay the filing fee or hand in your fee waiver. Paying in cash usually gets the earliest hearing; in King County District Court, card or check payments mean a hearing 30 to 90 days out. Some clerks schedule the hearing for you; others tell you how to schedule it. King County District Court also accepts filing online through its e-filing portal or by mail.

    Cost
    $98 district Court filing fee, public name change (King County); $203.50 county recording fee for a public name change order (King County); $290 superior Court filing fee, sealed name change (King County)

  5. Attend the short hearing[2][4]

    The judge asks whether your petition is true and whether you are changing your name to commit fraud or avoid debts. Some courts allow video attendance; ask the clerk. Sealed hearings should be private; public hearings are usually held with other name-change petitioners in the room. Bring your ID and the proposed order.

  6. Buy certified copies before you leave[2][4]

    Buy 7 to 10 certified copies of the signed order at the clerk's office right after the hearing (usually about $5 each). For a sealed order it is harder to get more later, because you must prove your identity each time.

    Cost
    $5 certified copy of the order (each)

  7. Update your other documents, Social Security first[2][6]

    1. Social Security first (free). The name changes; the sex field currently cannot.
    2. Department of Licensing driver's license or ID (see the driver's license guide). With a sealed order, email the DOL Identity Management Team first; do not email the order itself.
    3. Birth certificate (see the birth certificate guide).
    4. Passport, bank, employer, insurance, voter registration, school records, titles and deeds.

Costs and fee waivers

Can’t afford it? You may not have to pay.[1][2][4]

If you (or a qualified legal service provider) state in an affidavit that you cannot pay because of financial hardship, RCW 4.24.130 says the court shall waive all fees, including the recording fee. People receiving public benefits or with low income generally qualify; the judge decides.

File the fee waiver motion and declaration with your petition. If the clerk says you do not qualify, ask for a judge to decide.

Motion and Declaration for Waiver of Civil Fees and Surcharges

WhatCostNotes
District Court filing fee, public name change (King County)[4][1]$98Can be waivedVaries by courtIncludes one certified copy. The county recording fee is separate ($203.50 in King County, paid to the Recorder's Office by check, money order, or cashier's check). A granted fee waiver covers both.
County recording fee for a public name change order (King County)[4]$203.50Can be waivedVaries by county
Superior Court filing fee, sealed name change (King County)[5][2]$290Can be waivedVaries by countyOther counties' Superior Court civil filing fees differ; Northwest Justice Project says they are usually around $260. Call the clerk to confirm.
Certified copy of the order (each)[4][2]$5Can be waivedVaries by court

Free help

Legal clinics, organizations, and funds that help with this.

  • QLaw Foundation, 2SLGBTQIA+ Legal Clinic[7]

    Free 30-minute phone consultations with volunteer attorneys, including name and gender marker changes (1st Friday and 3rd Monday monthly). Volunteers advise but do not represent you in court. 206-483-2725 ext. 102.

    • Free
    206-483-2725

  • Gender Justice League, ID document legal clinics[8]

    Free in-person clinics where volunteer caseworkers, attorneys, and social workers help with name changes and license, passport, birth certificate, and Social Security paperwork. Financial assistance for document fees is available by application. Next clinic dates are announced on the site and newsletter.

    • Free
    206-659-5519

  • WashingtonLawHelp.org (Northwest Justice Project), Name Change Guide[2]

    Free statewide self-help guides and forms for sealed name changes and gender change court orders, written by Northwest Justice Project.

    • Free

  • Lavender Rights Project[9]

    Seattle-based Black trans-led organization working on housing, policy, and movement lawyering. Its legal services page currently refers people to other providers, including a sliding-scale attorney who handles gender marker change orders. 206-639-7955.

    • Free
    206-639-7955

  • Genderbands grants[10]

    Small grants for transition costs including name change fees; 18 and older.

    • Free
    • Unverified

More detail

Forms5 forms: NJP License 410, NJP License 411, NJP License 412, KCDC name change petition

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

NJP License 410Petition for Sealed Name Change (Superior Court)Sometimes required: For a sealed name change in Superior Court, if the county does not have its own local…

For a sealed name change in Superior Court, if the county does not have its own local form. Ask the clerk first.

How to fill it out

  • Item 1: check "Me" and "age 18 or older", or the minor-child option.
  • Items 2: your current full legal name exactly as on your ID, then the new full name. The order copies it exactly.
  • Item 3: check whether you are a Washington resident. If not, explain why you are filing here.
  • Item 4 (reasons to seal): check "Yes, this is related to gender expression or identity as defined in RCW 49.60.040." You do not need to explain or attach any proof or medical letter.
  • Items 5 and 6: if you must register as a sex offender or are under DOC jurisdiction, stop; you must use District Court.
  • Items 7 to 10: previous name changes, creditors, fraud. Answer honestly; "No" on 8 and 9 is what the judge asks about at the hearing.
  • Sign under penalty of perjury. A minor 13 or older signs too.

Open NJP License 410[3]

NJP License 411Findings for Sealed Name Change (proposed)Sometimes required: Goes with NJP License 410. Fill in the caption and names; bring it to the hearing for the…

Goes with NJP License 410. Fill in the caption and names; bring it to the hearing for the judge to sign.

Open NJP License 411[3][2]

NJP License 412Order for Sealed Name Change (proposed)Sometimes required: Goes with NJP License 410. This is the order you will use everywhere afterwards, so buy…

Goes with NJP License 410. This is the order you will use everywhere afterwards, so buy several certified copies once it is signed.

Open NJP License 412[3][2]

KCDC name change petitionKing County District Court, Petition for Name Change (Individual) and Petition for Minor Child Name ChangeSometimes required: For a public (non-sealed) name change.

For a public (non-sealed) name change. Each District Court has its own forms; this is King County's. Get other counties' forms from that District Court's website or clerk.

Open KCDC name change petition[4][2]

Motion and Declaration for Waiver of Civil Fees and SurchargesOptional

Only if you cannot afford the fees. File it with your petition. The link is King County District Court's page; each court's clerk can give you its version.

Open the form[4][1]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, criminal record, newspaper notice, hearing, background check, privacy and sealing, timeline
Where you live
You may file in any Washington District Court (public) or Superior Court (sealed); you do not have to live in that county. The petition asks whether you are a Washington resident; non-residents must explain why they are filing in Washington.[1][2][3]
Age
18 or older, or an emancipated minor. A parent or guardian files for a minor; see Minors.
Criminal record
If you must register as a sex offender or are under Department of Corrections supervision (incarcerated, on probation, parole, or community custody), you cannot use the sealed process. You file a public petition in District Court and must give DOC (and, for registrants, the State Patrol) advance notice and a copy of the order. Failing to do so is a misdemeanor.
Newspaper publication
No.

Washington does not require newspaper publication for any adult name change. (Publication can come up only for a minor's name change when the other parent cannot be found.)

[2]
Court hearing
Yes.

All name change petitions require a short hearing you must attend, in person or by video depending on the court. In King County District Court, hearings are held at seven courthouse locations, mostly at 1:00 pm, and petitions filed by 11:00 am can sometimes be heard the same day.

[2][4]
Background check
No.

No fingerprints or background check. People under Department of Corrections jurisdiction or required to register as sex offenders have extra notice duties and must use District Court.

[1][2]
Privacy and sealed records
Available.

A petition filed in Superior Court for a reason related to gender expression or identity (RCW 49.60.040) is sealed when the name change is granted, and there is no public access to any record of the filing, hearing, or order, whether or not it is granted. The order is not sent to the county recorder. District Court (public) orders are not sealed automatically; you can ask the judge at the hearing, but it is not guaranteed.

Check the gender identity box in item 4 of the sealed petition (NJP License 410) and file in Superior Court.

[1][3][4][5]
How long it takes

Usually a few weeks to three months from filing to hearing (King County District Court sets hearings within 90 days). You leave the hearing with a signed order. Recording a public order with the county takes another 6 to 8 weeks, but you can use your certified copies right away.

MinorsA parent or guardian files. If both parents sign, or you are the only legal parent, the court will likely grant it.

A parent or guardian files. If both parents sign, or you are the only legal parent, the court will likely grant it. Otherwise the other parent generally must be served with the petition and notice of hearing; you can ask the court to skip notice for safety reasons, and a judge decides disputes based on the child's best interests. A child 13 or older signs the sealed petition, and some counties require consent from minors 13 and up. In King County District Court, children 14 to 17 must attend the hearing. Sealed petitions for a minor's gender-related name change go to Superior Court like adults'. For a child born in Washington, parents may instead change the first and middle name once on the birth certificate with the Department of Health's Affidavit for Correction, if all parents on the certificate sign.

[2][3][4]
After you finishStart with Social Security (bring a certified copy and photo ID; the name changes, the sex field currently cannot).

Start with Social Security (bring a certified copy and photo ID; the name changes, the sex field currently cannot). Then the Department of Licensing in person ($20 for a revised license; if you have a sealed order, contact dol-psdidentitymanagement@dol.wa.gov first). If you were born in Washington, send the Department of Health a certified copy with form DOH 422-126 ($25 for the new certificate). Then your passport (name changes are still processed; sex marker changes are not, as of September 2026), bank, employer, insurance, voter registration, school records, and any titles or deeds.

Tips3 tips from people who have done this
  • You do not need a name change to change the gender marker on your Washington license or birth certificate; each can be done alone.
  • Northwest Justice Project's free Name Change Guide on WashingtonLawHelp.org explains both processes step by step and includes the sealed forms.
  • A Washington court can also issue an order confirming a sex or gender change, but you do not need one for Washington documents. It can help if you were born in a state that requires a court order.
Laws and other guides1 law, 3 other guides

Laws and rules

  • RCW 4.24.130: Change of name; any court may hear it; sealed Superior Court petitions for gender identity and safety reasons; mandatory fee waiver on hardship affidavit

Other trusted guides

Sources

10 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. RCW 4.24.130, Action for change of name, fees (as amended 2023 c 34)Washington State Legislature, Law. accessed
    “Upon affidavit by the person seeking the name change or a qualified legal service provider that the person is unable to pay the fees due to financial hardship, the court shall waive all fees.”
  2. Name change guide (last review May 8, 2025)Northwest Justice Project, WashingtonLawHelp.org, Organization. accessed
    “Name changes don't have to be published in the newspaper in Washington.”
  3. NJP License 410, Petition for Sealed Name Change (rev. 03/2025)Northwest Justice Project, Form. accessed
    “Yes, this is related to gender expression or identity as defined in RCW 49.60.040.”
  4. Name changes, King County District CourtKing County, Court. accessed
    “$98 per application (only collected once for a family name change)”
  5. Superior Court Clerk frequently asked questionsKing County Department of Judicial Administration, Court. accessed
    “To change your name, you must file a Petition for Change of Name and pay the $290.00 filing fee.”
  6. Change your name or address on your driver licenseWashington State Department of Licensing, Official page. accessed
  7. 2SLGBTQIA+ Legal ClinicQLaw Foundation, Organization. accessed
  8. Legal clinicsGender Justice League, Organization. accessed
  9. GenderbandsOrganization. accessed