Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Colorado (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Colorado is $299, which includes a $239 court filing fee, and $60 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $239 · Processing time: ~4 weeks
Estimated costs by reason
Totals include Social Security (free), driver’s license, and adult passport selections—matching the calculator defaults.
| Reason | Estimated total cost | Timeline | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Marriage | $203 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $203 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $442 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $492 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $442 | ~10 weeks | Sealed |
Which state are you in?
Why are you changing your name?
Which documents do you need to update?
How to Change Your Name in Colorado
Colorado District Court filing fees for name changes run $185-$225 depending on the county. Denver County is around $221 while many mountain counties run closer to $185. Marriage-based name changes in Colorado use your marriage certificate directly - no court order needed, significantly reducing cost and time for newlyweds.
Colorado does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes - a significant advantage over higher-cost states. You file your petition in the District Court of the county where you live. Colorado courts have robust self-help resources, and the Colorado Judicial Branch website has downloadable name change packet forms for each type of petition.
Colorado has a specific consideration for name changes involving gender identity: Colorado law allows gender marker changes on state-issued IDs with self-certification and a simple court petition, with no medical documentation required. The name change and gender marker change can be handled simultaneously in a single court filing.
The Colorado DMV charges $28.60 for a name change on your Colorado driver's license or ID. Visit any Colorado DMV office with your court order or marriage certificate, current Colorado license, and proof of SSA update. Colorado also offers online scheduling for DMV appointments at most locations.
Colorado divorce decrees routinely include name restoration clauses. Colorado courts have standardized forms that include checkboxes for name restoration, making it easy to include during the divorce process.
Key Colorado links: Colorado Judicial Branch self-help (coloradojudicial.gov/self-help), Colorado DMV (dmv.colorado.gov), Colorado Legal Services (coloradolegalservices.org) for free legal assistance and fee waiver guidance.
Colorado name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $239 |
| Certified copies (3 × $20 each) | $60 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $13 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 200% federal poverty level |
Common reasons in Colorado
Name Change Guides for Colorado
FAQ: Colorado name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Colorado?
- Court filing fees in Colorado start around $239 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $20 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Colorado?
- Many Colorado court petitions finish in about 4 weeks, but crowded dockets, publication, or fingerprinting can add time. After-marriage updates using a certificate are often faster because they skip the petition.
- Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper in Colorado?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Colorado do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Colorado?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Colorado if you meet the court’s income guidelines (At or below 200% federal poverty level). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Colorado?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Colorado residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Colorado?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Colorado marriage certificate, you typically update Social Security first, then your driver’s license, then banks and payroll. Hyphenated or new invented names may still require a court petition—check local court rules.
Voter Registration After Your Name Change
After legally changing your name in Colorado, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Colorado offers online voter registration paths for many voters, though some counties still require mail or an in-person visit for certain updates. If your registration still shows an old name close to an election, you may face additional checks at the polling place. See the full 50-state voter registration guide for deadlines, typical documents, and official Vote.gov links.
Related: SAVE Act & name change overview