Updated March 02, 2024
Colorado name change forms can be used to request a legal change of name. The petitioner, or the person filing the request, must be above the age of 18. If the name change request is being made for reasons other than marriage or divorce, the petitioner must also submit a criminal background check.
Name Change After Marriage
If changing your last name to your spouse’s last name, you will be able to specify the new name when filling out your marriage license. Obtain a certified copy of the marriage license by making a request to the county clerk in the county where it was issued.
Use this document to update your social security card with the Social Security Administration and your driver’s license/ID card with the DMV within 30 days of changing your name.
Name Change After Divorce
You can elect to revert to your former name when filling out your divorce paperwork, including the marital settlement agreement. After your divorce has been finalized, you will receive the decree reflecting your updated name.
Obtain a certified copy of the divorce decree from the county district court where it was issued and provide it to the SSA and the DMV to update your personal identification. This must take place within 30 days of changing your name.
How to Change Your Name (10 steps)
- Background Check
- Petition for Change of Name
- Order for Publication for Change of Name
- Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name
- Final Decree for Change of Name
- Make Copies of Your Filings
- File Petition with the Court
- Prepare for Hearing
- Publish Name Change
- Decree for Change of Name
1. Background Check
It will be necessary for you to have your background checked by both the CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) and the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). Go to a local law enforcement agency to have your fingerprints taken, then mail or hand-deliver your completed fingerprint cards to both the FBI and the CBI. Included with your FBI fingerprint card should be a completed Applicant Information Form.
- FBI – Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, Attn: SCU, Mod. D-2, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306
- Fee – $18
- CBI– 690 Kipling, Denver, Colorado 80215
- Fee – $16.50
The processing time for an FBI background check can be upwards of 13 weeks. Your CBI background check should take no longer than four weeks. Each background check must be dated within 90 days of the submission of your change of name request.
2. Petition for Change of Name
The next step is to download the Petition for Change of Name (Adult) or, if you are over 70, download the Petition for Change of Name (70 Years of Age or Older). Fill in all sections of the form except for the signature fields. Attach both background check forms to the petition. Any other criminal disposition records should be included. After completing the petition, sign the document before a notary public or court clerk.
3. Order for Publication for Change of Name
Fill out all sections of the Order for Publication for Change of Name form with the exception of the signature field. If your change of name request is approved by the court, a judge or magistrate will sign the document.
4. Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name
Download and complete the Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name. This document will be submitted to a newspaper in order to publicize your change of name request.
5. Final Decree for Change of Name
Next, download the Final Decree for Change of Name or, if you are over 70, download the Final Decree for Change of Name to Obtain Identity-Related Documents. Fill in the caption portion of the form only. The remaining spaces of the form will be completed by a judge or magistrate.
7. File Petition with the Court
Submit your filings to a Colorado court located within your county of residence. You will be required to pay the $100 filing fee upon submission of your documents.[1]
If you cannot afford the filing fees, you can apply for an exemption.[2] Complete either Notice of Fee Waiver (JDF 209) and proof you receive benefits or Motion to File Without Payment of Filing Fee (JDF 205) as well as Order on the Request to Waive Fees (JDF 206) and bank statements or pay stubs.
The court will review your request to waive the filing fee and decide whether or not the fee must be paid.
9. Publish Name Change
After your Order for Publication has been filed, you will be required to publish your completed Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name in a local newspaper. The notice must be published at least three times within 21 days of the date that your Order for Publication for Change of Name was filed. This is not required for petitioners over the age of 70.
You may be exempt from the publishing requirement if any of the following situations apply:[3]
- You are a victim of domestic violence[4]
- You are the victim of child abuse[5]
- You are a victim of domestic abuse[6]
Publication is also not required if the petitioner is changing their name to match their gender identity.
10. Decree for Change of Name
If you are under the age of 70, provide the court with proof of publication unless you qualify for an exemption. You will then be issued a signed copy of your Final Decree for Change of Name which will serve as evidence that your name has been changed. Use the decree to update your social security card and driver’s license.
If you are over the age of 70, ask the court to provide you with a certified copy of your Final Decree for Change of Name to Obtain Identity-Related Documents.
Driver’s License
Before you can change the name on your driver’s license, you must contact the Social Security Administration to obtain a new social security card. Submit the Application for a Social Security Card by mail or in person to a Social Security Administration office. Along with the application, provide the following documents:
- Proof of legal name change (e.g., court order, marriage license)
- Proof of identity (e.g., U.S. passport, U.S. driver’s license)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport)
All of the above documents must be originals or certified copies.
After updating the SSA, wait 24 hours and visit a Colorado DMV. Bring your legal name change documents, confirmation from the SSA that your name has changed, proof of identity, proof of address, your social security number, and payment for the $27 fee.
All documents must be originals or certified copies. Your new driver’s license will be delivered to you within 30 days.
Voter Registration
Updating the name on your voter registration can be accomplished by submitting a new Colorado Voter Registration Form to the Colorado State Department of Elections. Enter your former name in section (8) of the form to notify the agency of your change of name.
If you have a Colorado driver’s license or ID card issued by the DMV, you can update your voter information online.
Sources
1. Colorado Judicial Branch – Name Change Filing Fees
2. Colorado Judicial Branch – File Without Payment
3. § 13-15-102
4. § 18-6-800.3(1)
5. § 18-6-401
6. § 13-14-101(2)