Understanding Colorado Name Change Laws
Colorado allows adults and minors to change their legal names through a court process. The state's name change procedure is outlined in Colorado Revised Statutes Section 13-15-101 through 13-15-104. Unlike some states that have simplified procedures, Colorado requires a formal petition filed with the district court in the county where you live.
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A name change in Colorado is a civil matter, meaning it involves private rights rather than criminal issues. The court does not focus on why you want to change your name—the reasons are your own business. Whether you want to change your name for personal, cultural, professional, or any other reason, the legal process remains the same. Colorado courts have consistently held that people have a common law right to change their names, and the judicial process is the official way to establish this change.
The process typically takes between four to eight weeks from start to finish, though this can vary depending on your county's court schedule and whether any complications arise. Some counties are faster than others. The state does not maintain a centralized database of name changes, so each county district court handles its own records.
If you are changing your name for safety reasons—such as fleeing domestic violence or harassment—Colorado courts may grant the change with certain protections, though you should discuss this with the court clerk or an attorney. The court can order that certain information be sealed or protected from public view in sensitive cases.
Takeaway: Colorado name changes require a court petition filed in your county's district court. The process is civil, non-judgmental about your reasons, and typically concludes within four to eight weeks.
Steps in the Colorado Name Change Process
The Colorado name change process involves several distinct steps that you will need to follow in order. First, you must locate the district court in the county where you currently live. If you recently moved to Colorado, you should file in the county where you now reside. Next, you will need to obtain the petition form from the court. Most Colorado district courts provide this form on their websites or at the courthouse clerk's office.
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The petition form asks for basic information: your current legal name, your proposed new name, your date of birth, your residence address, and the reasons for the name change (though you are not required to provide detailed reasons). You will also need to state whether you have any criminal convictions, and whether you are seeking the name change to defraud anyone or evade legal obligations.
After completing the petition, you must file it with the district court clerk. You will need to pay a filing fee, which typically ranges from $150 to $300 depending on the county. Some courts may reduce or waive this fee if you demonstrate financial hardship. When you file, the clerk will give you a case number and tell you when your hearing is scheduled.
Next, you must publish notice of your name change in a newspaper in your county. Colorado law requires that you publish notice at least once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation. This notifies the public and creditors of your intention to change your name. The newspaper will provide an affidavit of publication after this is complete, which you must bring to your court hearing.
Finally, you attend your hearing before a judge. The hearing is usually brief and straightforward. You tell the judge your current name, your proposed new name, why you want to change it, and you present your affidavit of publication. If everything is in order and the judge finds no reason to deny the change, the judge will sign an order granting your name change. You receive a certified copy of this order, which serves as your official proof of the name change.
Takeaway: The process involves obtaining and completing a petition form, paying a court filing fee, publishing notice in a newspaper for two weeks, and attending a brief court hearing where the judge issues an order if approved.
Costs and Fees Associated with Name Changes
Understanding the financial costs of a Colorado name change helps you prepare properly. The largest expense is the court filing fee, which is the fee you pay to the district court clerk when you file your petition. This fee varies by county but generally falls between $150 and $300. Some counties charge on the lower end of this range, while others charge closer to the higher end. You should contact your specific county's district court clerk to learn the exact fee for your location.
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The second significant cost is newspaper publication. Colorado requires you to publish notice of your name change in a newspaper of general circulation in your county at least once per week for two consecutive weeks. This typically costs between $50 and $150 total, depending on the newspaper's rates and the length of the notice. Larger metropolitan newspapers may charge more than smaller local papers. When you contact newspapers, they will quote you a price. This is a required expense, not optional, so factor it into your budget.
Additional expenses may include obtaining certified copies of your name change order. The court will provide you with one certified copy when your case concludes, but you may need multiple copies for different purposes—changing your Social Security card, driver's license, passport, bank accounts, employment records, and other documents. Each additional certified copy typically costs $5 to $20 per copy depending on the county.
If you have limited financial resources, you may request a fee waiver from the court. Colorado courts can waive or reduce filing fees for people who cannot afford them. To request this, you typically fill out an affidavit of indigency or poverty, which explains your financial situation. The judge will consider this request. However, fee waivers usually only apply to court filing fees, not newspaper publication costs, since that is a private expense.
Some people consult with an attorney during this process, which would add additional costs. An attorney is not required for a straightforward name change, but some people choose to hire one anyway. If you do use an attorney, expect to pay between $300 and $800 for their services, depending on the attorney's rates and your area.
Takeaway: Expect to spend $200 to $450 total for court fees and newspaper publication. Additional costs include certified copies of your order and optional attorney fees. Fee waivers are available for people with financial hardship.
Name Change Requirements and Restrictions
Colorado law places certain restrictions on name changes. You cannot change your name for fraudulent purposes—that is, you cannot change your name to escape criminal liability, evade debts, or commit fraud. The petition form asks you to affirm that you are not changing your name for these illegal reasons. If a court discovers that you lied about this, your name change could be reversed and you could face perjury charges.
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You cannot change your name to a name that is already your legal name, obviously. You also cannot change your name to a number or to something that contains only numbers, though you can include numbers within a name that also contains letters. Colorado courts have generally held that a name should be pronounceable and should not consist solely of symbols or numbers that would make identification impossible.
If you have outstanding child support obligations, unpaid taxes, or other financial judgments against you, you can still change your name legally. However, the name change does not eliminate these obligations. Creditors and government agencies can still pursue you under your new name. This is why the law requires newspaper publication—to put creditors on notice that someone's identity has changed.
If you have a criminal record, you can still change your name. Colorado does not automatically prohibit name changes for people with criminal convictions. However, the court may deny your petition if it determines that changing your name would impede criminal investigation or prosecution. This is rare and would only occur if you have an active criminal case or are wanted for a crime. In most cases, people with past criminal convictions are able to change their names.
If you are changing your name as a minor, your parents or guardians must consent to the change and must file the petition on your behalf. If both parents do not consent, the court may still grant the change if it finds that doing so is in the child's best interest. An attorney can help you make this argument if parental conflict exists.
Takeaway: You cannot change your name for fraud or illegal purposes. Most other restrictions are minimal, and name changes are generally approved as long as requirements are met and the newspaper notice is published.
Updating Your Records After Your Name Change
After the judge grants your name change and you receive your certified order, you must update your records with various government and private institutions. This is essential because your legal name change only affects the court record