Change your name in Washington
The exact steps, documents, and official Washington links to change your name after marriage or divorce, in the correct order.
DMV / license agency
Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)License update fee
$20 (fee for a new license/ID card with updated name; REAL ID upgrades may cost more)
Marriage certificate
Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health StatisticsVoter deadline
Online and mail voter registration updates must be received at least 8 days before Election Day. After that, updates can still be made in person at a county elections office through 8:00 p.m. on Election Day itself.
Instructions verified August 2026 against official Washington government sites. How we verify
Book a DMV appointmentWhat Washington asks you to bring
Documents for the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)
- Certified copy of marriage certificate (county-auditor copy if recently married, or state DOH copy)
- Updated Social Security card / confirmation that SSA records reflect new name
- Current Washington driver's license or ID card
- Proof of Washington residency (for REAL ID compliant credentials)
- Payment for the $20 name-change fee
Online or in person
Washington does not accept the license name change online. A visit to Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) is required.
REAL ID in Washington
Must first update your name with the Social Security Administration and wait for it to reflect in SSA records before DOL can process the name change; notify DOL within 10 days per RCW 46.20.205. In-person visit required (appointment recommended); a new photo is taken.
Ordering your Washington marriage certificate
Fee starts at $25 per certified copy. Order online/phone via VitalChek (3-7 business days) or by mail to DOH Center for Health Statistics (6-8 weeks). Marriages within the last ~5 months may not yet be in the state system; get a county-certified copy from the county auditor where the license was obtained instead.
Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health StatisticsUpdating your Washington voter registration
Washington lets you update your registration online. Online and mail voter registration updates must be received at least 8 days before Election Day. After that, updates can still be made in person at a county elections office through 8:00 p.m. on Election Day itself.
Update your registrationWashington step-by-step guides
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