Any person over 18 years of age in Washington State can change their name, as long as it is not for the purpose of fraud (such as avoiding creditors or to escape legal obligations such as child support). http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/documents/1488013400EN.pdf?stateabbrev=/WA/ It is a simple process, and there are three ways to do it in Washington State: through marriage and divorce proceedings, by common law and by petitioning a court for a name change. Special provisions are in place to change a child’s name, as it is more difficult than changing an adult’s.http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/documents/1488013400EN.pdf?stateabbrev=/WA/ This page provides information on how to change your name in Washington State.

Name changes in Washington State are filed in District Court, in the county of residence. The District Court issues the required forms, generally a Petition for Name Change and an Order for Name Change. Name change fees depend on the county and potentially on the number of people named on the petition. The county District Court will determine the exact fees.http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/index.cfm When changing a child’s name, each parent has an equal right to have the child have his or her last name, but in a dispute the deciding factor is in the child’s best interest. Factors the court consider are the child’s preference, length of time the child has had a given name, effect the change of name will have with each parent, and degree of community respect associated with the present or proposed name.http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/documents/1488013400EN.pdf?stateabbrev=/WA/

Use of the husband’s last name via marriage is a matter of custom, but if you wish to use your new husband’s name sign all documents (except the marriage license) using his last name.http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/documents/1488013400EN.pdf?stateabbrev=/WA/

Upon dissolution of marriage, a woman who wants to return to her name can include the name change request in the petition for dissolution of marriage. The request will be granted by the court in the decree of dissolution.http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/documents/1488013400EN.pdf?stateabbrev=/WA/

Common law name change results from using the new name consistently and exclusively for all purposes. It is legal because a person has a common law right to use any name they choose in Washington. No legal proceedings or attorney fees are required.http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/documents/1488013400EN.pdf?stateabbrev=/WA/

This method can be a disadvantage because many governmental institutions require documentation proving that a valid name change has been made, but since it has not gone to court you will need some other document to satisfy this condition. Most offices will accept an affidavit of name change – a written statement explaining why you have changed your name and that it was not done for fraudulent purposes. The affidavit must be sworn and signed before a notary public and sent to the appropriate office. http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/documents/1488013400EN.pdf?stateabbrev=/WA/

Changing your name by court order is more expensive, but you could need a court-ordered name change because some offices will not accept an affidavit as proof of a name change. To get a court-ordered name change, you need to:

1. File a petition, along with the filing fee, at your District Court. You also need to complete an Order for Name Change for the judge to sign. Photo identification may be required. The petition must state your current name, the new name requested and reasons for the change. A case number will be assigned when you file, to help the court keep track of cases.

2. Schedule a court date – in some district courts an appearance can be made on the same day. Each court has a different schedule and procedure for hearing these petitions.

3. Name change requests are usually routinely granted. The order you have prepared in advance with the petition granting the name change will be signed by the judge or court commissioner.

4. The order should be filed in the clerk’s office, and certified copies can be obtained for $5 each. Send copies to all institutions or people requiring documentation of the change, and retain a copy for your own files.

5. Record your order - depending on the county, your recording fee could be collected with your filing fee. In counties that do not record your order, you will have to record it with the county auditor since District Court records are only kept for 10 years. Call the district court clerk about the procedure.

6. If you were born in Washington State and want to change you birth certificate, send certified copies of all paperwork to: Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507-9709. http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/documents/1488013400EN.pdf?stateabbrev=/WA/

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Please contact a law professional before using the information presented here.