Name Changes

Adult Name Changes

If you are at least 18 years old or legally considered an adult, you may obtain a petition here WAdult Name Changes Adult Name Changes Adult Name Changes or from the clerk at the District Court office. If you are the victim of domestic violence and have a reasonable fear for your safety, you may file your petition with the Wahkiakum 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 $73 or complete the financial statement form requesting a fee waiver; 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, court staff will accompany you, with the Order Changing Name, to the Wahkiakum County Auditor to be recorded as a public record. You will pay the $204.50 recording directly to the Auditor's office. You will receive two certified copies of the Order. There is a $5.00 certified copy fee for any additional certified Orders. 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, inform the Internal Revenue Service, update immigration, update the name on your passport, 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 Version Options Name Changes Headline.

Minor Name Changes

You may obtain a petition here Minor Name Changes Minor Name Changes or from the Wahkiakum County District Court's office. In many cases, you can avoid filing a petition with the court and instead ask the Department of Health to amend you child's birth certificate.  

When filing a petition with the court, you must present:

1.  A piece of government-issued identification which contains your photograph and signature;
2.  Payment of $73 or complete the financial statement form requesting a fee waiver; and
3.  A Minor Name Change Petition.

After you file your petition, you will receive a date and time for your hearing, at 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, court staff will accompany you, with the Order Changing Name, to the Wahkiakum County Auditor to be recorded as a public record. You will pay the $204.50 recording directly to the Auditor's office. You will receive two certified copies of the Order. There is a $5.00 certified copy fee for any additional certified Orders.  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 immigration, change your child's name on his or her passport, or to 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 minors click here Version Options Name Changes Headline.