Washington allows people to legally change their name and has established a process to follow. Many people legally change after marriage or divorce or as part of a gender transition. Others simply want a new name because they dislike their old one. Call The Law Office of Amanda J. Cook if you need assistance with any of the steps below or if you have a family law question.
Fill Out a Petition for Name Change
You need court permission to change your name, so go to the district court for the county where you live. The court might have a name change form you can fill out. The form will request that you provide:
- Your proposed new name.
- The reason for changing your name.
- A declaration you are not changing your name for a fraudulent reason.
If a minor wants to change their name, then you file the petition with the Superior Court. Minors typically need consent from both parents, otherwise the court will hold a hearing.
Note: If you are changing your name as part of a divorce, you can make that request in your divorce papers. The judge will approve the name change when you receive your divorce decree.
File Your Petition with the Court Clerk
You will need to pay a filing fee. Call ahead to ask how much and acceptable methods of payment. Typically, the fee should not be much more than $100. If you cannot afford the fee, then ask about a fee waiver.
Attend Your Court Hearing
You typically need to attend a hearing before a judge. The judge will likely want to confirm you are not changing your name to avoid the police or perpetrate a fraud. For example, you can’t change your name to pretend to be a celebrity.
If the judge agrees to your proposed change, they will sign an Order for Name Change.
Get Certified Copies of the Order
Once the judge signs off on the change, Congratulations! Now you need to update important governmental records, and you’ll need certified copies of the judicial order. You can get them from the clerk of court.
Update Your Records
This is a critical step. You’ll want updated records to reflect your new name. Most people will use certified copies to update:
- Driver’s license
- Social Security card
- Passport
- Bank accounts
- Insurance policies
- Gym membership
- Professional licenses
Remember to notify your children’s school of your name change, too. They sometimes want to see ID when you pick up a child or volunteer to act as a chaperone on field trips, and you don’t want any confusion.
Call The Law Office of Amanda J. Cook to Discuss Name Changes
The steps listed above probably do not appear too confusing, but many people still have questions. Reach out to the Law Office of Amanda J. Cook to discuss a name change or a family law issue, such as divorce. We can help if another parent objects to a name change or there are questions about why you wish to change your name.