Washington

Washington is a non-strict voter ID state.

The signature on your ballot declaration or provisional ballot must match your voter registration record. If it does not, you must provide photo ID to vote at a voting center.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

All registered Washington voters will automatically receive a mail-in ballot before each election.

A copy of your ID is not required when you vote by mail in Washington.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

You must file a formal request with your county’s District Court, which will provide a Petition for Name Change and an Order for Name Change for you to complete in order to change your name.

If the court approves your name change, you will receive a court order that can be used to update the name on your ID documents.

Submit a request to the Washington State Department of Health to correct your birth certificate.

To change the name on your Washington birth certificate, you will need to provide:

• certified copy of name-change court order

AND ONE of the following:

• Completed Request Form (PDF)
• Letter with required information from current birth certificate
• Photocopy or certified copy of current birth certificate (PDF)
• Payment of applicable fee(s)

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

You must update your name with the Social Security Administration and request a new Social Security card before you can change your name on a Washington-issued ID.

To update your Washington driver license or state ID card, make an appointment and visit a driver licensing office. You will need to provide:

• new Social Security card with your updated name
• certified copy of your name-change court order
• payment of applicable fee(s)

Submit a request to the Washington State Department of Health to correct your birth certificate.

Washington allows residents to mark M, F, or X on their birth certificate.

To apply for a corrected Washington birth certificate, you will need to provide:

• notarized Sex Designation Change request form (PDF)
• certified copy of name-change court order (if applicable)
• order from/payment for a certified copy (if applicable)

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born

Complete a Change of Gender Designation Request Form (available here).

You may either:

• Visit a driver licensing office location. You need to bring your completed request form and current state-issued ID.

OR

• Mail your completed request form to Department of Licensing (address listed on request form). After the form is processed, the DOL will send you a letter with steps to get a new driver license or state ID.