The Name Path
The Washington Edition · $27

Washington

Your name change after marriage in Washington, in the right order: Social Security, your driver's license or state ID, your passport, voter registration and everything after, with every fact checked against the official source.

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At a glance

Washington, in six lines

Straight from the Washington guide. Where we couldn't confirm something from an official source, the guide says to ask the agency, and so does this page.

  • Certified copies

    From the county auditor or recorder in the county that issued your license (about $3 a copy), or from the Department of Health ($25), which can take up to five months to receive the record. The Department of Health says most federal agencies don't accept the county auditor's copy, so ask before you rely on it.

  • DOL

    Washington law says to notify the Department of Licensing of a name change within 10 days. Update Social Security first, then make an appointment at a driver licensing office.

  • Deadline

    Yes. Washington law (RCW 46.20.205) says to notify the Department of Licensing of a name change within 10 days. King County notes that state law sets no deadline to take a new name after the wedding; RCW 46.20.205 counts the 10 days from when you change your name of record.

  • Social Security online

    Washington licenses and IDs qualify; Washington marriage records don't. Because Washington marriage records don't qualify for the online route, Washington couples married in Washington should plan on an in-person or mail application.

  • Voter registration

    Update your name online at VoteWA.gov (Clark County says this works once your license has your new name), or send a voter registration form to your county elections office, at least 8 days before an election (in person until 8 p.m. on Election Day).

  • Social Security first?

    DOL says to update your name with Social Security before your driver licensing appointment.

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DOL

Fees (Washington DOL)

ItemFee
Revised driver license before your next renewal (name, address, photo)$20
Revised enhanced driver license (EDL) before your next renewal$20
Upgrade a license to an EDL$7 per year left on your license ($7–$56)

From DOL's licensing fee list, which says additional fees may apply. Confirm before you go.

REAL ID

REAL ID

Since May 7, 2025, TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant card or another accepted ID, such as a U.S. passport, for domestic flights. Washington's standard license isn't REAL ID-compliant (marked "Federal Limits Apply" since July 2018). Washington's REAL ID option is the enhanced driver license or ID (EDL/EID), for U.S. citizens; it carries a U.S. flag marking instead of a star.

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Step 1 · Certified copies

Where to order your marriage certificate

Two places hold Washington marriage records. The county auditor or recorder that issued your license records your certificate after the officiant returns it (within 30 days of the ceremony) and sells certified copies. The Department of Health holds records from 1968 on, but it can take up to five months after the wedding to reach the state. DOH says you can use the county auditor's copy to add a spouse to insurance and, in most cases, to change your name on a driver license, but most federal agencies don't accept the county auditor's copy. Check with Social Security and the passport agency which copy they want, and order the DOH certificate if they need it.

WhereCertified copy fee (as published)How to order
King County Recorder's Office (Seattle)$3 per certified copyOrder after your certificate is recorded; copies aren't sent automatically
Pierce County Auditor (Tacoma)$3.00 per certified copyCash, money order, check or card
Snohomish County Auditor (Everett)$3.00 per copy; $1.00 postage and handling by mail (1–10 copies)Online, in person, by phone or by mail; only for licenses recorded in Snohomish County
Spokane County Auditor$3 per certified copy (the license fee includes one certified copy)By mail with a check, both names at application and the marriage date, or in person
Other WA countiesSet by each county auditor. Confirm with your county.Search "[county] auditor marriage certificate copy"
Washington State Department of HealthFrom $25 per copy; other fees may apply by ordering or shipping methodOnline, by phone or by mail; records from 1968; may take up to five months to arrive from the county
Married in another stateOrder certified copies from the office that issued your certificate in that state (often a state vital records office or county clerk).

Fees as published by the King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane county offices and the Washington State Department of Health, checked Oct 21, 2026. See Sources.

Official forms

The Washington forms, straight from the source

Every link goes to the agency's own page or PDF; we never host copies. Where we couldn't confirm a downloadable form, the row says to ask the agency. Your guide explains which form fits your situation. Links checked Oct 23, 2026.

ForFormOfficial link
Social SecuritySS-5: Application for a Social Security Card (PDF)ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
Social SecuritySSA online: Apply for a Social Security Cardsecure.ssa.gov/ossnap/public/
Driver's license or ID (DOL)Washington DOL: Change your namedol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/u…
PassportDS-5504: Application for a U.S. Passport for Eligible Individuals: correction, name change to a passport issued 1 year ago or less, and limited passport replacement (PDF)eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds5504_pdf.PDF
PassportDS-82: U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals (PDF)eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds82_pdf.PDF
PassportDS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport (PDF)eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11_pdf.PDF
Vehicle titleWA DOL Vehicle Title Application (420-001)dol.wa.gov/forms/view
Voter registrationWashington Secretary of State: Register or updatesos.wa.gov/elections/voters/voter-regist…
How we checked

Checked against the agency itself

The Washington guide's verification log lists 18 state facts: 17 confirmed on the official page, and 1 we couldn't confirm, which the guide marks "ask the agency". Sources checked October 21, 2026.

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The Washington Edition

Your whole Washington name change, one clear path

$27

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Changing your name with Social Security is free. You can apply directly with the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You don't need to buy this guide, or anything else, to do it.

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