How to Change Your Legal Name in Washington State
- 1). Acquire Petition for Name Change and Order for Name Change forms. The form may be available on your county's website, or you can call the courthouse and have them faxed or mailed to you. You can also stop by to pick the forms up.
- 2). Fill out the forms. You will need to include your old name and your new name, and you must affirm that you are not changing your name to avoid creditors or to defraud anyone. You will also need to state that you are not currently required to register as a sex offender or under parole. You will also need to give your reason for petitioning to change your name.
- 3). Turn the papers in to your district court along with the filing fee. At this time they will give you a court date, which is when you will come before a judge to plead your case.
- 4). Remember your court date. Although it's unlikely any action will be taken against you, technically you are summoned, and it is an offense to not show up.
- 5). When you arrive at the court wait until your name is called. You will then come forward, raise your right hand and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. After you are sworn in the judge will go over your form and make sure that everything is correct.
- 6). Take the order to the recording office once the judge approves and signs the court order. You will pay yet another fee. The court will generally will mail you a copy of the record a few days later, but you will leave with the order in your hand, which is all you need to start telling organizations that you have changed your name.
- 7). Remember to change your name on your driver's license, passport, insurance policies, online accounts, bank accounts and credit cards. You should inform the Internal Revenue Service and all doctors, dentists and schools.
