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.
To see how Washington's license fee compares with every other state, use our name change fee table.
Instructions verified August 2026 against official Washington government sites. How we verify
Book your DMV appointment (required)What 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
Sources
We checked the details on this page against the official sources below in August 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything you are about to act on at the agency's own page. The legal citations were last re-read against their sources in October 2026. How we verify.
- State agencyWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics: certified copies
- State agencyWashington State Department of Licensing (DOL): name change on a license or ID
- The lawRCW 46.20.205Notify the department within 10 days of a change of name of record.
- State agencyWashington official voter registration page
- The lawRCW 29A.08.140Applications must be received 8 days before the election; in person at the county auditor until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- FederalSocial Security Administration: change your name
- FederalSocial Security Administration: Form SS-5
- FederalU.S. Department of State: change or correct a passport
NameWright is not a government agency and this is not legal advice. We prepare your paperwork; you file it.
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