What you need to do to change your name on your Washington license

To change the name on your Washington driver's license, you must first have a legal name change order from a Washington court, then submit that order to the Department of Licensing (DOL) along with your current license and a completed process. Washington does not let you change your name directly through the DOL — the court order comes first, and the license change follows.

The process has two separate steps: getting the court order (which takes weeks and involves filing fees), and then updating your license at the DOL (which usually takes a few days once you submit everything). You cannot skip the court step or use other documents like a marriage certificate alone to change your license name, even though a marriage certificate can be used to get a court order faster in some cases.

Key Takeaways

  • You must obtain a legal name change order from a Washington Superior Court before the DOL will change your license name.
  • Marriage, divorce, or adoption automatically creates grounds for a name change, but you still need the court to issue a formal order.
  • File your name change petition in the Superior Court of the county where you live, and expect the process to take two to six weeks.
  • Once you have the court order, bring it to a DOL office or license service office with your current license and a completed process form to update your name.
  • Court filing fees vary by county but typically range from $200 to $300; the DOL does not charge a separate fee to change your name on the license itself.

Getting a legal name change order from Washington Superior Court

The first step is filing a petition for name change in the Superior Court of the county where you live. You can file the petition yourself without a lawyer, though some people hire an attorney to handle the paperwork. The petition must state your current name, the name you want, and the reason for the change (marriage, divorce, adoption, or personal preference).

After you file, the court will set a hearing date, usually four to six weeks out. You must publish a notice of your name change petition in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks — this is a legal requirement, not optional. The court clerk can tell you which newspapers may have access to in your county. You will also need to serve the petition on the prosecuting attorney's office in your county, though they rarely object to straightforward name changes.

At the hearing, you appear before a judge, who will ask why you want to change your name. If there are no objections and the judge approves, you receive a signed order. This order is the document you bring to the DOL. Keep multiple certified copies — the court will provide them for a small fee, and you may need them for other purposes (bank accounts, Social Security, employment records).

Name changes due to marriage or divorce

If you are changing your name because of marriage or divorce, you can use your marriage certificate or divorce decree to speed up the court process. Some Washington counties allow you to file a simplified petition when you have one of these documents, which can shorten the timeline to two to three weeks instead of four to six.

Even with a marriage certificate or divorce decree, you still must go through the court — the DOL will not accept the certificate or decree alone as proof of a legal name change. The court order is what makes the change official in Washington's eyes. Once you have the court order, you can use it to update not only your driver's license but also your Social Security record, passport, bank accounts, and employment records.

What to bring to the DOL to update your license

Once you have your court order, visit any DOL office or a license service office (some are run by county auditors or private vendors). Bring your current driver's license, the certified copy of your court order, and a completed process form. The form is called the Driver License or Instruction Permit process, and you can fill it out online before you go or at the office.

You do not need to retake the written or driving test to change your name — the DOL treats this as a correction, not a new license. Your license number, expiration date, and all other information stay the same; only your name changes. The new license is usually ready within a few days, though you can request a temporary paper license to use while you wait.

Bring your Social Security number and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement). If your address has changed since your last license, you will need to update that at the same time. There is no fee to change your name on the license itself, though you will pay the standard renewal or replacement fee if your license is expiring soon or if you want a new card with your updated name printed on it.

Timeline and costs

The entire process — from filing the court petition to holding your updated license — typically takes four to eight weeks. The court portion takes two to six weeks depending on the county and how quickly the newspaper publishes your notice. The DOL portion takes a few days to a week once you submit your paperwork.

Court filing fees vary by county. Most Washington counties charge between $200 and $300 to file a name change petition. You will also pay for newspaper publication, which usually costs $50 to $150 depending on the newspaper and how many words are in your notice. Certified copies of your court order cost a few dollars each from the court clerk. The DOL does not charge a fee specifically for the name change, but if you need a new license card, you may pay a replacement fee (typically $20 to $35).

What happens if you change your name outside of Washington

If you obtained a legal name change in another state or country, you can still update your Washington license. Bring your out-of-state court order (or the equivalent legal document from another country) to the DOL along with your current Washington license and the process form. The DOL will accept name change orders from other states as long as they are certified copies from the court that issued them.

If your name change was very recent or the court order is not yet certified, contact the DOL before you visit to ask what documents they will accept. Some offices may ask for additional proof that the order is valid, such as a certified translation if the document is in another language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on my license if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. Washington does not require citizenship to change your name on a driver's license. You must still obtain a legal name change order from a Washington Superior Court, and you must follow the same process as any other resident. Bring your court order and current license to the DOL along with your proof of legal presence in Washington (such as a valid visa or work permit).

What if I want to change my name but do not have a court order yet?

You cannot update your license without the court order. Start by filing a petition in Superior Court in your county. If cost is a concern, some counties have legal aid organizations that help with name change petitions at no cost or reduced cost. Contact your county bar association or local legal aid office for referrals.

Do I need to change my name on my license if I got married?

No, it is not required. Washington allows you to keep your current name on your license even after marriage or divorce. However, if you want to change it, you must go through the court process — a marriage certificate alone is not enough for the DOL, even though it can help speed up the court petition.

Can I use a different name on my license than on my Social Security card?

Technically yes, but it can cause problems. The DOL and Social Security Administration do not automatically sync, so you could have different names on each document. However, many employers, banks, and government agencies expect your name to match across documents. If you change your license name, it is a good idea to update your Social Security record too, which you can do at your local Social Security office with your court order.

What if the court denies my name change petition?

Court denials are rare for straightforward name changes. If a judge denies your petition, they will explain their reason at the hearing. You can file a new petition later if your circumstances change, or you can ask an attorney whether you have grounds to appeal. Contact your county bar association for a referral to an attorney who handles name change cases.