Legal Name Change — King County
Mulvaney Law Offices, PLLC
"No man is above the law and no man below it." — Theodore Roosevelt
Name changes do not require appearance by a lawyer. You can file the Petition for Name Change electronically by creating an account, attend the hearing, and get the Order yourself. Christopher can review your Petition before you file it.
- Step 1 — File in person, online (eFiling portal), or by mail: submit the completed Petition (Individual or Minor), photo ID, proof of WA residency if your ID does not show it, and a certified copy of the birth certificate for minor children
- Filing fee: $98 per application (includes 1 certified copy of the order) — payable to King County District Court
- Recording fee: $203.50 for an individual petition | $204.50 for the first person on a family petition + $203.50 for each additional person — payable to King County Recorder's Office; bring this payment to your hearing
- Additional certified copies: $5.00 each — purchase several at the hearing; agencies will not return them
- Hearing scheduling: within 90 days if you pay by cash or approved King County voucher; after 30 days (but no more than 90 days) for all other payment methods
- Bellevue Courthouse hearings: Mondays and Fridays at 1:00 p.m. — petitions must be filed by 11:00 a.m. the same day
- Step 2 — Attend your court hearing with photo ID; minors age 14–17 must attend; both parents must consent (in person or notarized written consent) for minor name changes
- Step 3 — The Court provides a certified copy of the order after the hearing and records the name change with the King County Recorder's Office; recording takes 6 to 8 weeks
- District Court: standard unsealed name changes — public record; Superior Court: sealed name changes for emancipated minors, asylum/refugee status, gender identity (RCW 49.60.040), or reasonable fear of domestic violence
- Divorce linkage: if actively undergoing a divorce, request the name change within the divorce petition in Superior Court — no separate filing required
- Fee waiver available: complete a Motion and Declaration for Waiver of Civil Fees and Surcharges if you cannot pay the filing or recording fee
After receiving your Name Change Order — update documents in this order: (1) Social Security Card first — Form SS-5 from SSA.gov, submit with court order (2) WA Driver's License / State ID — visit DOL with court order and new SSA card ($37.75) (3) U.S. Passport — apply with appropriate form and court order (4) WA Birth Certificate — mail certified copy of order + DOH forms + $25 fee to Dept. of Health Then notify: IRS; Voter Registration; Employer payroll; Professional licensing boards; Banks and credit card companies; Credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion); Insurance providers; Utilities; Schools; Medical providers; Subscriptions.
Reference Links
- Name Change Procedures & Cost — King County (PDF)
- E-Filing Portal Account Instructions (PDF)
- King County District Court — Name Change Official Website
- Petition for Name Change — Individual / Adult (PDF)
- Petition for Name Change — Minor Child (PDF)
- Name Change Information — Snohomish County (PDF)
- Petition for Change of Name — Adult, Snohomish County (PDF)
- What to Do After You Receive Your Name Change Order (PDF)
- Name Change Website Contents (PDF)
Related Pages
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