Name Change

A person desiring to change their name may file an action in the District Court of their residence. Petitions are available in the District Court Administration Office and below.

Filing Fees: Filing fees are due at the time of filing and are non-refundable.

  • $296.50 Individual Adult
  • $298.50 Family or Minor

*See Court Payments & Fees page for more fee information.

Fee Waivers: Pursuant to GR 34, a fee waiver is available upon request. If your fee waiver is granted, all filing, administrative, and recording fees will be waived. Fee waivers do not cover additional name change orders. Any additional copies will be $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.

Sealed Name Changes: Any person requesting that their name change be sealed needs to file their petition in the Clerk's Office. For questions, please contact Superior Court at (564) 397-2292.

Copy of a Name Change Order: One certified copy of your signed name change order will be provided after your hearing. Any additional copies will be $5.00 each. 

If you are trying to obtain a copy of a previous name change order, please visit the Clark County Auditor’s recording website. 

Before Filing your Name Change Petition: All documents must be filled out completely and legibly. Please read the statements on the petition carefully, as you will be signing this document and swearing to it under penalty of perjury. 

Minor Name Change or a Family Name Change with a Minor: If one of the legal or natural parents is not a petitioner for the name change, that parent must complete the Consent of Natural Parent form. This form must be notarized and filed prior to the hearing. If you cannot obtain consent of the other parent, you must have them personally served with a copy of the petition and hearing notice, and file proof of service. They must be served at least five court days prior to the hearing.

If you do not know the whereabouts of the other parent, you may ask the court to authorize service by publication under RCW 12.04.100. The Motion and Declaration to Publish Notice is available in the District Court Administration Office. 

If you have a pending parenting plan, dissolution or paternity action that involves a minor, your name change request should be addressed in that action. 

What to Expect at your Hearing and After: You must be present at the hearing. At the hearing, a District Court judge will consider the petition and make a ruling. One certified copy of your signed name change order will be provided after your hearing. If you do not pick-up the order by the end of the day, the order will be mailed to you. 

Registered Sex Offenders and/or an Offender Under the Jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections: If you or the minor are a registered sex offender, you must submit a copy of the petition to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol at least five court days before the hearing. If you or the minor are a registered sex offender and an order changing name has been granted, a copy of the order shall be submitted to those agencies within 3 business days of the entry of the order. You must fill out a return of service form and file it with the court. The return of service form may be obtained in District Court. 

An offender under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections who applies to change their name shall submit a copy of the petition to the Department of Corrections not fewer than five days before the entry of an order granting the name change. If an order for name change has been granted, a copy of the order shall be submitted to the Department of Corrections within 5 days of the entry of the order.

Petitions must be filed in person. If you need accommodations, please contact District Court at (564) 397-2424.

If you are trying to obtain a copy of a previous name change order, please visit the Clark County Auditor's Recording site.