Side by side
Compare Oregon, Washington, and Utah
The big picture: The three states take very different paths. Oregon and Washington let you change state records with a form. Utah asks a judge to weigh evidence. This table shows the differences at a glance. Each state's page has the details and sources.
Last checked against official sources: .
| Topic | Oregon | Washington | Utah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court for a name change | Circuit court in your county Source: Oregon court forms packet, July 2026 | Any district court (public) or any superior court (sealed, for gender-related changes) Source: RCW 4.24.130 | District court in your county, after 1 year living there Source: Utah Code 42-1-1 |
| Court for a sex or gender change | Any circuit court. You swear you have had treatment appropriate for you. Source: ORS chapter 33 | Optional court order that confirms your gender Source: WashingtonLawHelp gender order guide Not official | District court. Clear and convincing evidence of six things. Source: Utah Code 26B-8-111 |
| Court filing fee | $124 Source: Oregon court fee schedule, 2026 | Varies. Sealed cases usually about $260. Source: WashingtonLawHelp name change guide Not official | $375 Source: Utah Courts fees |
| Fee waiver | Yes, and applying is free | Yes. District court must waive fees on a hardship statement. | Yes |
| Hearing | Only if the court asks | Yes, for every name change | Yes |
| Who can see the case | Sex change cases, including name and sex together, are confidential. Name-only cases are public. Source: 2026 Oregon Laws ch. 52 | Sealed superior court cases: no public access. District court: public. | Sex change papers are private. Case history and hearings are public. Source: Utah Courts name and sex change page |
| Birth certificate, if born there | Notarized form, no court. M, F, or X. Source: Oregon Vital Records, gender identity page | Form, no court. Court orders are not accepted for the sex designation. M, F, or X. Source: Washington Department of Health | Court order required |
| Driver license or ID | Choose M, F, or X in person Source: Oregon DMV | Choose M, F, or X, in person or by mail Source: Washington DOL | Not confirmed Not confirmed |
| Under 18 | Parent or guardian files. Notice to parents for name changes. | Parent or guardian files. Some courts ask for the child's consent at 13 or older. | No sex change before 15 years and 6 months. Takes effect at 16. |
Federal records work the same way in every state. Passports and Social Security in 2026.
Sources for this page
We read each of these on the date shown. See every source and what each label means.
- Name and Sex Change Packet (Adult), Oregon Judicial Department (Forms dated July 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
- RCW 4.24.130: Change of name, Washington State Legislature (Official copy certified July 12, 2024). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Utah Code title 42, chapter 1: Change of Name (42-1-1 to 42-1-3), Utah State Legislature (42-1-1 as amended by 2025 chapters 291 and 299). Checked November 3, 2026.
- ORS chapter 33 (2025 edition): sections 33.410, 33.420, 33.460, Oregon State Legislature (2025 edition). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Get a court order that confirms your gender change, WashingtonLawHelp.org (Northwest Justice Project) (Reviewed July 18, 2025). Checked November 3, 2026. Not official
- Utah Code 26B-8-111: Birth certificate name or sex designation change, Utah State Legislature (Effective May 7, 2025). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Circuit Court Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026, Oregon Judicial Department (Effective January 1, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Name Change Guide, WashingtonLawHelp.org (Northwest Justice Project) (Reviewed May 8, 2025). Checked November 3, 2026. Not official
- Fees, Utah State Courts (Fees effective May 6, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Oregon Laws 2026, chapter 52 (House Bill 4088), Oregon State Legislature (Effective March 31, 2026; sections 11 and 12 operative July 1, 2026). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Petition for Name or Sex Change (Gender Marker Change), Utah State Courts (Live page). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Change Birth Record to Support Gender Identity, Oregon Health Authority, Vital Records (Live page; form OHA 2673 rev. 03/26). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Sex designation change on a birth certificate, Washington State Department of Health (Live page). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Change Your Gender Designation, Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (Live page). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Change your gender designation, Washington State Department of Licensing (Live page). Checked November 3, 2026.