Complete Guide to Name Changes-Part I

Written by Shannara Quissell

There are many reasons to get a name change through the court – a fresh start, maybe you’re getting rid of family ties that may be harmful, to align with your correct gender identity, or just simply because you’ve now chosen a new name you like! You can change all or part of your name, and there is no limit to the amount of times you can change your name. You’re also not required to have a middle name at all if you don’t want one. In Colorado, there is a pretty straightforward way to get a legal name change, but it comes with a lot of steps and paperwork.

First, fingerprint-based background checks need to be completed for every name change. The court just needs to see if there are any felony convictions on your record. (If there is however, that’s no necessarily a hard no – stay tuned for a blog post on felony name changes!) There are two places you need to get reports from: CBI (state level) and FBI (federal level).

Next, the appropriate paperwork needs to be filled out and submitted with the background checks to the court. For most name changes, you’ll need to publish your name change in a local newspaper for three consecutive publication. Once the court sees that you’ve filed all the correct paperwork and you’ve completed publication, they’re ready to grant your name change.

Some courts will have a court hearing (especially if you’re a minor, or you’re filing on behalf of a minor), and other courts will just review them on their own. If you have a hearing, don’t stress! The judge will just ask you simple questions, like double checking your new name’s spelling, verifying you are who you say you are, and confirm your reason for changing your name. There are really only two reasons the court doesn’t want to hear – to commit fraud, or to avoid a criminal or civil lawsuit. So saying, “Because I chose this name and I like it” is perfectly fine!

Once the court grants your name change, you’ll need to purchase certified copies from the court clerk’s office. You’ll use the certified copies to begin the next steps of updating your information everywhere. Start with Social Security first, first, first. Then, you can go everywhere else, like the DMV, passport, and birth certificate if you’re changing that. We recommend keeping a spreadsheet handy to keep track of everywhere you need to change your information.

It should take about 2-3 months on average to complete. However, this is only an estimate and depends on how quickly your background checks are done, how busy the court is, and other relevant factors. If you don’t know where to start, or want assistance making sure everything is done quickly and properly, give us a call!

In our following posts, we’ll go a little more in depth. If you’re transgender, nonbinary, or need a name that fits your correct gender identity, we’ve got you covered. Also, if you’ve got a complicated family situation like you’re on board for your kid’s name change but the other parent isn’t, or there may be safety concerns, we’re standing by. Lastly, if you’ve got a felony on your record, we may be able to help – just let us know!