HOW DO I GET MY NAME CHANGED?
If you are at least 18 years old, you may obtain a petition here or from the clerk at District Court 2. If you are the victim of domestic violence and have a reasonable fear for your safety, you may file your petition with the Grays Harbor County Superior Court and ask to have it sealed.

When filing, you must present:

     1.  A piece of government-issued identification which contains your photograph and signature;
     2.  Payment of $282; and
     3.  An Adult Name Change Petition.

After you file your petition, you will receive a date and time for your hearing, which you must attend.  If the judge grants your petition, the Court will transmit the Order Changing Name to the Grays Harbor County Auditor to be recorded as a public record. The fee for recording the Order is included in your filing fee as well as one certified copy of the Order Changing Name. Each additional certified copy is $5.00.  You will likely need additional certified copies to amend your birth certificate, update the Social Security Administration, change your name on your driver's license, update your name for purposes of your military service, inform the Internal Revenue Service, update your tribal membership, or inform the sheriff of your county of residence if you are required to register as a sex offender.

For more information about name changes for adults click here.


HOW DO I GET MY CHILD'S NAME CHANGED?
You may obtain a petition here or from the clerk at District Court 2.

When filing, you must present:

     1.  A piece of government-issued identification which contains your photograph and signature;
     2.  Payment of $282; and
     3.  A Minor Name Change Petition.

Unlike an adult name change, Washington law requires that a minor’s name change will promote the minor’s best interest. Also, both living birth parents must consent to changing the minor’s name (with some limited exceptions).  The information sheet provided with the petition has additional information about the steps to take if one parent does not consent to the child's name change.

After you file your petition, you will receive a date and time for your hearing, which both living birth parents and your child (if ten years old or older) must attend (with some exceptions).  If the judge grants your petition, the Court will transmit the Order Changing Name to the Grays Harbor County Auditor to be recorded as a public record. The fee for recording the Order is included in your filing fee.  You will also receive one certified copy of the Order Changing Name without additional cost. Each additional certified copy of the order costs $5.00.  You will likely need additional certified copies to amend your child's birth certificate, update the Social Security Administration, change your name on your child's driver's license, inform the Internal Revenue Service, update your child's tribal membership, or inform the sheriff of your child's county of residence if required to register as a sex offender.

For more information about name changes for children click here.