Small Claims Action
Please review our Small Claims Brochure in English or Espanol.
If, after reviewing our brochure, you would like to file a Small Claims Action with Benton County District Court, please email District.Court@co.benton.wa.us with your Name and Mailing Address, and request our Small Claims Packet.
Name Changes
Any person wanting to change their name for any reason, except to defraud others, may petition for a Name Change. A current, valid Washington state drivers license or ID card must be presented to confirm identity.
Forms are available both on the District Court website and the District Court Administrative Offices.
Filing fees are due at the time of filing and are non-refundable. The fee is $291.50 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 ay also be waived.
Any person requesting their name change be sealed must file their petition in Superior Court. For questions, please contact Superior Court.
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 contact the Benton County Auditor’s recording office.
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 the whereabouts of the other parent is unknown, you may ask the court to authorize service by publication under RCW 12.04.100.
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.
You must be present at the hearing. At the hearing, a District Court judge will review and consider the petition and make a ruling.
One certified copy of your signed Name Change Order will be provided after your hearing.
Registered Sex Offenders and/or an Offender Under the Jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections:
If you or the minor is a registered sex offender, you must submit a copy of the petition to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol at least five court days before the hearing. After you have submitted a copy of the petition to these agencies, you must fill out the 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 petitions to change their name shall submit a copy of the petition to the Department of Corrections at least five days before the entry of an order granting the name change.
