The information contained here is intended to address the most frequently asked questions. It is not comprehensive and should not be construed as legal advice. Those in need of legal advice should consult an attorney.

Applications for Name Changes may be filed in the county where you reside. The process consists of completing a Petition for Name Change and an Order for Name Change. The original Petition is filed with the clerk in any district court division located within the county of your residence. Photo ID may be required.

Name Change fees vary depending upon the number of persons named on the Petition. The King County District Court fee for name changes is $110 (effective 1/1/2008) which includes the $53 filing fee, a $10 administrative cost, a $42 recording cost per named individual and one certified copy. Additional certified copies are $5 per copy.

Once the Petition has been completed, the case will be presented to a judge for approval and signature.

If you were born in Washington State and wish to change your birth certificate, you must send certified copies of all the paperwork to:

Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709

The Court will record your Name Change with the King County Recorder's Office. Only the Order needs to be recorded. Recording takes 6 to 8 weeks and a copy with the Recorder's Number will be returned to you.

For the schedule of when name changes are heard in the King County District Court divisions, click here.

To download copies of the Petition and Order for Individual Name Change, please click on one of the links below:

If you wish to install a copy of the Acrobat PDF reader, you can download a free plug-in by clicking here.

All forms are being redeveloped as smart Adobe PDF forms, allowing you to fill in the blanks or select a court division from a drop down menu. All check boxes can be checked by either clicking on the box or hitting the space bar key. These forms allow you to tab to each field.

Name Change Procedures
Name Change Order (Individual) (4.56KB RTF File)
Name Change Order (Individual)-Adobe Acrobat Fill In Form Posted 9/12/2001
Petition for Name Change (Individual)-Adobe Acrobat Fill In Form Posted 9/12/2001
Order for Family Name Change - Adobe Acrobat Fill In Form posted 9/12/2001
Order for Minor Child Name Change - Adobe Acrobat Fill In Form posted 9/12/2001
Petition for Family Name Change - Adobe Acrobat Fill In Form posted 9/12/2001
Petition for Minor Child Name Change - Adobe Acrobat Fill In Form posted 9/12/2001