Washington
Change your name and gender marker in Washington
The big picture: Washington splits this into two jobs. Your name changes in court, and you can keep that case sealed if the change relates to your gender identity or expression. Your gender marker on a Washington license or Washington birth certificate changes with a form, no court needed.
Last checked against official sources: .
Why it matters
- The sealed option means no public access to your name change filing, hearing, or order. Source: RCW 4.24.130
- For a Washington birth certificate, the state will not accept a court order or a doctor's letter for a sex designation change. You use its form instead. Source: Washington Department of Health
Change your name in court
You pick one of two courts. Source: RCW 4.24.130
| Option | Public name change | Sealed name change |
|---|---|---|
| Court | Any district court in Washington | Any superior court in Washington |
| Who can use it | Anyone | People whose name change relates to gender expression or identity. Also people with certain safety or immigration reasons. |
| Who can see it | The public | No public access to the filing, the hearing, or the order. The file opens only for you, your guardian or representative, or by court order for good cause. |
| Not available to | Some people under Department of Corrections supervision face extra steps | People under Department of Corrections jurisdiction, or people required to register as a sex offender |
Court steps
Washington's free legal aid guide has the forms and instructions for both options. WashingtonLawHelp: name change guide and forms (outside site). Source: WashingtonLawHelp name change guide Not official
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Step 1 Choose public or sealed
If your name change relates to your gender identity or expression, you can file in superior court and the case will be sealed. Source: RCW 4.24.130
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Step 2 Fill out the forms
Use the forms and step-by-step instructions in the WashingtonLawHelp name change guide. You do not need to put a notice in the newspaper. Source: WashingtonLawHelp name change guide Not official
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Step 3 File and pay, or ask for a fee waiver
File at the court you chose. Fees vary by court. If you cannot pay, ask the court to waive the fees. Washington Courts forms, including GR 34 fee waiver forms (official site).
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Step 4 Go to the hearing
Every name change in Washington has a hearing in front of a judge. The court gives you the date. Source: WashingtonLawHelp name change guide Not official
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Step 5 Get certified copies of the order
Certified copies cost about $5 each. The guide suggests getting 7 or more. Source: WashingtonLawHelp name change guide Not official
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Step 6 Update your records
Take a certified copy to Social Security and the Department of Licensing, then everyone else. If your order is sealed, the guide explains a special process for your license. Source: WashingtonLawHelp name change guide Not official Use the after-court checklist.
What it costs
- Sealed name change in superior court: usually about $260. Source: WashingtonLawHelp name change guide Not official
- Public name change in district court: varies by county. One district court lists $287.50. Source: Kitsap County District Court Not confirmed
- Can't pay? In district court, the law says the court "shall waive all fees" if you sign a statement that you cannot pay because of financial hardship. In any court, you can ask with the GR 34 fee waiver forms. Source: RCW 4.24.130 Source: Washington Courts forms
- Birth certificate: no fee to change the sex designation; $25 per certified copy. Source: Washington Department of Health
- License: free if you only change the gender designation. Source: Washington DOL
Change your gender marker
In Washington, you do not need a court order to change the gender marker on a Washington license or a Washington birth certificate. Source: WashingtonLawHelp gender order guide Not official
Washington birth certificate
This is for people born in Washington. Source: Washington Department of Health
- Choose M, F, or X. X means a gender that is not exclusively male or female.
- Adults and emancipated minors use Form DOH 422-143, adults (PDF) (official site). Sign it in front of a notary.
- A court order or a doctor's letter is not accepted for the sex designation. Use the form.
- If your legal name is different from your birth certificate, add a certified court order and Form DOH 422-126, name change on a birth certificate (PDF) (official site).
- No fee to make the change. New certified copies are $25 per certified copy.
- Send by mail or bring it in person by appointment. The department reported processing in about 3 business days, plus up to 2 weeks for mail.
Driver license or ID
- Choose M, F, or X. Source: Washington DOL
- In person: make an appointment, bring your current card, and say which marker you want.
- By mail: send the Change of Gender Designation Request form (520043). The department then mails you a letter about getting your new card.
- There is no online option for the gender change itself.
A court order that confirms your gender
This is optional. You might want one if another state's birth certificate office or another agency asks for a court order. Washington does not need it for a Washington license or birth certificate. WashingtonLawHelp: court order that confirms your gender (outside site). Source: WashingtonLawHelp gender order guide Not official
Changes for someone under 18
- Name: a parent or guardian can ask for a child's name change. The law allows a sealed superior court case when the reason relates to the child's gender expression or identity. Source: RCW 4.24.130
- Parents must get notice. Some courts also ask for the child's consent at age 13 or older. Source: WashingtonLawHelp name change guide Not official
- Birth certificate: use Form DOH 422-144, minors (PDF) (official site). A parent or guardian and a licensed provider sign it. Source: Washington Department of Health
Good questions
Do I have to file in the county where I live?
No. The law lets you file a public name change in any district court in the state. A sealed name change can go to any superior court in the state. Source: RCW 4.24.130
Who can see a sealed name change?
No one in the public. The file opens only if a judge orders it for good cause, or if you, your guardian, or your representative ask. Source: RCW 4.24.130
Does Washington change the gender marker on a birth certificate from another state?
No. Only the state where you were born can change your birth certificate. A Washington court order confirming your gender may help if that state asks for one. Find your birth state's office with CDC: find your birth state's vital records office (official site).
Get help in Washington
- CLEAR, the free legal aid referral line. Source: Washington Courts forms 1-888-201-1014
- WashingtonLawHelp: name change guide and forms (outside site)
- Many counties have a courthouse facilitator who can help with paperwork but cannot give legal advice. Ask your court. Source: Washington Courts forms
- More free and low-cost help
Sources for this page
We read each of these on the date shown. See every source and what each label means.
- RCW 4.24.130: Change of name, Washington State Legislature (Official copy certified July 12, 2024). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Sex designation change on a birth certificate, Washington State Department of Health (Live page). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Name Change Guide, WashingtonLawHelp.org (Northwest Justice Project) (Reviewed May 8, 2025). Checked November 3, 2026. Not official
- Washington Courts forms, Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (Live site). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Kitsap County District Court name change materials, Kitsap County District Court (Undated). Checked November 3, 2026. Not confirmed
- Change your gender designation, Washington State Department of Licensing (Live page). 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
- Sex Designation Change Request, adult (DOH 422-143), Washington State Department of Health (Linked from the DOH page). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Legal Name Change Request (DOH 422-126), Washington State Department of Health (Linked from the DOH site). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Sex Designation Change Request, minor (DOH 422-144), Washington State Department of Health (Linked from the DOH page). Checked November 3, 2026.
- Where to Write for Vital Records, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics (Last reviewed August 15, 2022). Checked November 3, 2026.