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NameRight provides procedural guidance, not legal advice.
Verify requirements with official courts and agencies. Full legal disclaimer
In Washington State, you file a name change petition in the District Court of the county where you live (Superior Court in some circumstances). Washington supports M, F, and X gender markers on both birth certificates and driver licenses without medical proof.
Where you file
Varies by county
Estimated court fee
$203.50-$308.50 (varies by county/court)
Typical timeline
2-6
Residency rule
Must be a resident of Washington (file in your county of residence)
Publication for general filings
Required in most cases
Fee waiver available
Available (Name Change Motion for Waiver of Fees)
Gender marker options
M / F / X
Request — Request to Change Sex Designation on a Birth Certificate for an Adult form (DOH 422-143)(PDF)
View form Source: Archived copyRequest — Request to Change Sex Designation on a Birth Certificate for a Minor form (DOH 422-144)(PDF)
View form Source: Archived copyNEW! — NEW! Dept. of Licensing FAQ for Name Changes and Gender Marker Changes
View form Source: Official sourceMotion — Motion By Parent To Intervene In Child's Name Change Action
View form Source: Official sourceConsent — Consent of Natural Parent to Change of Name of Minor Child
View form Source: Official sourceRequest — Request to Change Sex Designation on a Birth Certficate for an Adult
View form Source: Official sourceRequest — Request to Change Sex Designation on a Birth Certificate for a Minor
View form Source: Official sourceLinks open on the publisher’s site. “Official source” means a court or agency published it, and “Archived copy” means an Internet Archive snapshot of a page that has moved. A third-party resource is not a court document and listing it is not an endorsement. Confirm every form with the Washington court before you file.
The filing fee is $203.50-$308.50 (varies by county/court). Confirm the current amount with the court clerk before filing.
Fee waiver available: Yes — Name Change Motion for Waiver of Fees
Fees vary by county and change over time — confirm with the clerk before filing.
Newspaper publication may be required; check for waivers.
Record sealing may be available after name change. <https://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.static&staticID=27> Washington does not require newspaper publication for name change. Courts must seal name change records in cases involving gender identity or personal safety upon request or by operation of law for gender identity cases.
Gender marker options: M / F / X. Confirm current procedures with each agency.
Agency by agency
Gender marker rules differ by agency — driver license / ID, birth certificate, passport (federal), and SSA (federal) can each have different options and proof rules. Confirm the options for each record you plan to update.
Self-attestation: Yes
Medical proof required: Verify with the relevant agency
Confirm current procedures with each agency before filing.
After receiving your court order, update your records in the following order to avoid conflicts between agencies.
Washington has 39 counties. Name changes usually go to District Court, but some circumstances require Superior Court. Confirm with your local court.
Free guides explain the general process. Complete helps apply the process to your situation.
No. Washington State does not require medical proof for gender marker changes on birth certificates or driver licenses. The DOH explicitly does not accept court orders or physician letters for adult birth certificate changes.
Yes. Washington supports M, F, and X on both driver licenses/IDs and birth certificates.
Usually District Court, but some circumstances require Superior Court. Check with your local court or refer to RCW 4.24.130 for guidance.
No. If you are only changing the gender designation on your driver license, there is no fee. If you are also changing your name or address, additional fees may apply.
Every claim on this page points back to an official source. Here is what each source supports and when it was last checked — verify details with the source before filing.
Get a personalized filing path based on your situation.
NameRight is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We provide self-help information, document preparation tools, and public court process guidance based on publicly available information. Court procedures and eligibility rules can change, and your situation may require advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Full legal disclaimer