How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Washington

The winning sequence in Washington is: certified marriage certificate → Social Security (free, first) → wait 24–48 hours → Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) → passport → notify everyone. Each step verifies against the one before it, so order matters.

Order 3–5 certified copies from the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics. Photocopies aren't accepted.

Good to know for Washington: 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.

File the free SS-5 with Social Security first, wait 24–48 hours, then update your license at the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) (typically about $20 (confirm with the agency)). Bring:

• 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

Mind the clock: Washington asks you to update your license within 10 days of your legal name change, so don't park this step for later. The law: RCW 46.20.205.

Update your passport, then your Washington voter registration (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.), and finally your bank, employer, and insurers.