{"id":372042,"date":"2017-03-24T11:33:03","date_gmt":"2017-03-24T16:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/how-to-change-your-name-in-colorado.html"},"modified":"2023-06-12T11:04:24","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T16:04:24","slug":"how-to-change-your-name-in-colorado","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/how-to-change-your-name-in-colorado.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Change Your Name in Colorado"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How to Change Your Name in Colorado<\/h1>\n
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\n By Vaishali Gaur, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

We’re given our names at birth, and they’re scattered throughout every part of our lives. People know and refer to us by our names. We sign legal documents in our name. Government offices issue birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and Social Security cards in our name. Banks and businesses provide bank accounts, credit cards, and loans in our name. People even sue us in our name. So, as you might imagine, when it’s time to change your name<\/a>, there’s some work to do.<\/p>\r\n

How to make an adult name change in Colorado mostly depends on your situation. We’ll cover the most frequent adult name changes here, including how to:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Identify the right process for you<\/li>\r\n
  2. Figure out the paperwork that needs to be filed<\/li>\r\n
  3. Use your new name after it’s changed<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    So whether you’re getting married in Denver, divorced in Aspen, or making a statement in Boulder, read on to find out how to change your name in Colorado.<\/p>\r\n

    1. Identify and Follow the Correct Colorado Legal Name Change Process<\/h2>\r\n

    Colorado law allows you to change your name in many different circumstances. As you might imagine, the most common name change process happens after marriage or divorce. However, there is also a general name change petition anyone can use to change their legal name. <\/p>\r\n

    Marriage<\/h3>\r\n

    Marriage is the most common time and reason for name changes. Couples take one spouse’s name, hyphenate or combine their names, or otherwise modify their names. A marriage name change is an old tradition, and the law recognizes this reality.<\/p>\r\n

    A Colorado marriage license<\/a> serves as proof of a marital name change. Fill out the marriage license and certificate in your existing pre-marriage name. Colorado gives you the option to sign the certificate in your new name once the marriage is finalized. Once the ceremony is performed, your marriage license can be used to update other documents.<\/p>\r\n

    Divorce<\/h3>\r\n

    Many separating or divorcing spouses want to shed their marital name. But there are other considerations that can cloud the question. Parents may wish to keep the same last name as their children. Or you might decide to stick with your name, only to regret that decision down the road.<\/p>\r\n

    The Centennial State allows a divorcing party to change their name back after divorce<\/a> or separation. You can request this as part of a normal divorce filing, and a court will generally grant this request. You can also restore your previous name after the divorce is final<\/a> too, so there’s no rush if you’re still uncertain.<\/p>\r\n

    Petition for Change of Name<\/h3>\r\n

    You can also file a petition for a change of name<\/a> in court if you’re changing your name as part of a gender transition, you want a fresh start, or for any alternate reason other than marriage and divorce. This is a more extensive process.<\/p>\r\n

    Petitioning for a name change generally involves:<\/p>\r\n