Can my stepchild keep their current last name after adoption in Washington?

Yes, you can ask for your stepchild to keep their current last name when you adopt in Washington. The Superior Court in your county handles the adoption, and the clerk there can confirm exactly how the name is written into your paperwork and the final decree.

Your name choices. Families generally think about a few options:

• Keeping the current last name
• Taking the stepparent's last name
• Combining the two names
• Changing a first or middle name

Which of these the court will accept, and how each is requested, is something to confirm with the Superior Court clerk in your county or with an attorney. This page does not cover those details.

Why families keep the current name. These are personal reasons, and none is required:

• An older child may strongly identify with their name.
• The child may ask to keep it.
• You may want to honor the other parent's side of the family.
• It can avoid confusion with school records and friends.
• The child may prefer to decide about a change later.

Your child's voice. Washington sets the age of child consent at 14 (RCW § 26.33.160). If your stepchild is 14 or older, their consent is part of the adoption, so talking with them about the name early is a good idea. Many parents find the name conversation easier when the child feels heard. For a younger child, you can still explain the choice in simple terms.

How the name fits into the process.

• The adoption is filed in the Superior Court of your county. The county where you live is the usual place to start, and the clerk can confirm the venue for your situation.
• Washington has no minimum residency period before you file (RCW 26.33.030).
• Stepparent adoptions in Washington typically take about 3-6 months.
• Court filing fees typically run $200-$500, and the total cost is typically under $1,000 when you prepare the paperwork yourself. Attorney representation is typically $3,000-$5,000+.
• After the adoption, the Washington State Department of Health Center for Health Statistics handles birth records. Ask them what they need to reflect the name listed in your decree.

When to get individual guidance. If the other parent is involved, is contesting the adoption, or may disagree about the name, how that plays out depends on your facts. Ask the Superior Court clerk or an attorney about your specific situation.

How we help. StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, including the name you want your child to have after the adoption. We then prepare the complete court document package for your county, and you file it yourself without an attorney. The price is $349 for the first child and $99 for each additional child. Your court-ready documents are delivered within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and we offer a 100% court acceptance guarantee. We have helped 1104 Washington families, and more than 34,000 families nationally since 2001.