Colorado Identity Documents

Overview

  • Name Change (Adult):  Yes. Publication not required. Hearing generally not required.  
  • Name Change (Minor):  Yes. Name changes for minors are automatically sealed as of July 1, 2026. 
  • Birth Certificate (Name): Yes. Requires court order.  
  • Birth Certificate (Gender Marker): Yes. For adults, can self-identify and request a M, F, or X marker without a court order or medical documentation. For minors, certification from a medical or mental health professional is required. 
  • State ID / Driver’s License (Name):  Yes. 
  • State ID / Driver’s License (Gender Marker): Yes.  M, F, and X gender markers available. Adults can self-identify. Minors require signature from parent or guardian and medical provider. 
  • Restrictions based on Criminal History: No. May require publication of name change petition.

Colorado Name Change Law & Steps (for Adults) 

To obtain a legal name change in Colorado, you must submit a petition to the court. These steps will guide you through the process of submitting the petition. 

 You can find your court in your county of residence here. It is recommended to check with your local court for any additional requirements, as some courts have their own local forms or guidelines. 

You may not change your name to something that would be improper or detrimental to the rights/interests of another person. A name change will not be granted for fraudulent purposes, to avoid criminal charges, or to commit criminal activity. A court may not, however, deny a name change simply because you are transgender. 

If you are under the age of 19 and are the subject of a case concerning child support, allocation of parental responsibilities, or parenting time, you will need to follow the process for filing as a minor and file in the county where that case is pending. 

Step 1: Complete Fingerprinting and Criminal History Check 

Fingerprinting is required in order to change your legal name in Colorado. You can schedule an appointment here with Colorado fingerprinting. 

You will also need to order a fingerprint based criminal history check, either from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

There will be fees associated with fingerprinting. You must start your name change case within 90 days of the criminal history report’s date.  

Step 2: Complete the Name Change Petition 

To start your case, you will need to complete the name change petition – Petition for Name Change – Adult (JDF 433). 

Don’t let the unfamiliar format of a court petition scare you. Make sure to review all your completed documents for correct spelling and formatting before filing. 

Before the petition can be filed, you will need to have it notarized. You can make an appointment with a notary public at your local bank, library, or county clerk’s office. You must bring proper identification (e.g. driver’s license) to your appointment. Do not sign the petition until you are with the notary. For more information about how to prepare for a notary appointment, click here.  

This step can be started while you are awaiting the completed background check. 

If you have been convicted of a felony, you should consult the guidelines prepared by the Colorado Courts for people with felonies seeking a name change. You will need to follow different procedures and file JDF 386: Petition for Name Change - prior felon. 

Additionally, if you are 70 years old or older, you should consult the guidelines prepared by the Colorado Courts for seniors seeking a name change. You will need to follow different procedures and file JDF 389: Petition for Name Change - 70 Years of Age or Older. 

Step 3: Waive Publication Requirement (optional) 

In some counties, there may be a publication requirement, which requires notice of your name change to be posted in a newspaper of general circulation in your county of residence. This requirement is to ensure that you are not changing your name for fraudulent purposes or to notify an unlocatable party of interest. 

Colorado allows those who are changing their name to align with their gender identity to be exempt from this publication requirement. You can indicate that you would like the Court to waive public notice on the petition under question 9.  

If you do not waive public notice, you will be required to publish notice of your name change at least three times within a 21-day period in a newspaper that circulates in your county and file proof of publication. 

Step 4: Gather Documents & File at the County Court 

You will need to gather and file the required documents listed below with the district or county court of your county of residence. You will need: 

If you are unable to afford the filing fee, you can request a fee waiver. Instructions and required forms on how to request a fee waiver are listed in the Guide to Name Change packet on page 5.  

Step 5: Attend the Hearing (if applicable) 

Once the proper paperwork is filed, the court may schedule a hearing, which you will be required to attend. Most counties do not require a hearing, but some do. You may wish to check with the court clerk in your county for appearance requirements or if additional documents are needed. 

During the hearing, the judge may ask you further questions about your requested name change. For more information on what a hearing is and how to prepare, click here. 

Step 6: Final Decree 

Once you have filed proof of publication or if the Court has waived public notice, you will be sent a signed Final Decree with the Court’s decision on your name change request. 

If the Court approves your request, you will be able to request a certified copy of the order from your court clerk. It is recommended that you ask for 5-7 copies of this order, as you will need certified copies to amend your identity documents. There is a fee for your certified copy and an additional fee per copy requested. Once you’ve received your certified copies, you may start updating documents and informing other relevant institutions. This includes important documents such as birth certificate, driver's license, social security card, and passport. 

If the Court does not approve your request, you may decide to appeal against the decision or seek legal counsel.

Colorado Name Change Law & Steps (for Minors) 

To obtain a legal name change as a minor , an adult (typically your parent or guardian) must submit a petition to the court on your behalf. A petition is a formal written application to a court requesting judicial action—in this case, your name change! These steps will guide you through the process.  

 You can find your county court in your county of residence here. It is recommended to check with your local court for any additional requirements, as some courts have their own local forms or guidelines. 

You may not change your name to something that would be improper or detrimental to the rights/interests of another person. 

If you are subject to another case, such as child support, allocation of parental responsibilities, or parenting time, this must be disclosed in the petition. If this is the case, you must file with the district court in the county with the child support or custody case. 

Step 1: Complete Fingerprinting and Criminal History Check 

Fingerprinting is required in order to change your legal name in Colorado. You can schedule an appointment here.  

You will also need to order a fingerprint based criminal history check, either from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

There will be fees associated with fingerprinting. You must start your name change case within 90 days of the criminal history report’s date. 

If you are under 14 years old, you do not need to undergo a criminal history check or fingerprinting.  

Step 2: Complete the Name Change Petition 

To start your case, you will need to complete the name change petition—Petition for Name Change – Minor Child (JDF 421). 

Don’t let the unfamiliar format of a court petition scare you. Make sure to review all your completed documents for correct spelling and formatting before filing. 

This step can be started while you are awaiting the completed background check, if applicable. 

Step 3: Waive Publication Requirement (optional) 

Beginning July 1, 2026, applicants under the age of 18 are not required to publish notice of their name change. The court proceedings will automatically be sealed and not available to the public. If you are filing before July 1, 2026, check with your local court if publication is required. 

Step 4: Gather Documents & File at the County Court 

You will need to gather and file the required documents listed below with the district or county court of your county of residence.  

If you are unable to afford the filing fee, you can request to file without payment through a fee waiver. Instructions and required forms on how to request a fee waiver are listed in the Guide to Name Change packet on page 5. 

Step 5: Parental Notification  

Notification of all known and legal parents is required to grant a minor name change. 

If both custodial parents consent to the name change, they will both sign the petition (under section 14). No additional forms are necessary, and you can proceed to the next step. 

If a known legal parent is not petitioning, they will need to be notified of your name change. If the non-petitioning parent consents to the name change, they will need to complete and file the JDF 423 – Consent of Non-Custodial Parent.  

If the non-petitioning parent does not consent with the name change, you will need to notify them of the name change with JDF 422 Notice to Non-Custodial Parent. You will need to mail this form by certified mail with return receipt to that parent. You will need to file the receipt and a copy of the form at least 14 days before the hearing as proof of notice. 

If you do not know where the non-petitioning parent is located, you will need to file JDF 424 Request to Publish Notice to Non-Custodial Parent of Change of Minor’s Name and Publication Order.This should be filed with the petition in Step 4. You will also need to file JDF 425 Notice to Non-Custodial Parent by Publication. 

If there is no additional custodial parent to notify, you can indicate so under section 12 of the petition.  

Step 6: Attend the Hearing  

Once the proper paperwork is filed, the court may schedule a hearing, which you and your petitioning guardian will be required to attend. Most counties require a hearing for name change cases involving minors. You may wish to check with the court clerk in your county for appearance requirements or if additional documents are needed. 

During the hearing, the judge may ask you and your guardian further questions about your requested name change. For more information on what a hearing is and how to prepare, click here. 

Judges may consider whether to grant a name change for a minor according to what is in the ‘best interests of the child’. They typically evaluate the best interest of the child by looking at a variety of factors, which may include the child’s preference (taking into consideration their age and experience), the length of time a child has used that name, the difficulties, harassment, or embarrassment a child may experience from the present or proposed name, and the motives or interests of the parent. 

Step 7: Final Decree 

After the hearing, you will be sent a signed Final Decree with the court’s decision on your name change request. 

If the court approves your request, you will be able to request a certified copy of the order from your court clerk. It is recommended that you ask for 5-7 copies of this order, as you will need certified copies to amend your identity documents. There is a fee for your certified copy and an additional fee per copy requested. Once you’ve received your certified copies, you may start updating documents and informing other relevant institutions. This includes important documents such as birth certificate, driver's license, social security card, and passport. 

If the court does not approve your request, you may decide to appeal against the decision or seek legal counsel.

Colorado Birth Certificate Policy & Procedures 

The Colorado Department of Public Health will issue an amended birth certificate upon receipt of a court order for name amendments and an application form for gender marker amendments. 

When Amending the Name and Gender Marker, or Name Only

To change your name on your birth certificate, you will need to submit to the State Vital Records office: 

When Amending the Name and Gender Marker, or Gender Marker Only

To change your gender marker on your birth certificate, you must submit: 

For adults, you are able to update your gender marker upon self-attestation. For minors, you will need a signature from a medical or mental health professional familiar with your transition. See Vital Statistics Rule 5 CCR 1006-1. 

Submitting the Required Documents & Next Steps

If you were born in Colorado, you may mail your requests to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment or make an appointment for an in-person visit. No walk-in services are available. It will take 45-60 business days to process the request. 

Mailing Address: 

Vital Records, Birth Unit 
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South 
Denver, Colorado 80246-1530 

If you are no longer a Colorado resident, but you have a birth certificate issued by the state of Colorado, you are still able to mail-in your request and amend your birth certificate as outlined above. The Vital Records Office will accept a certified copy of an order for name change signed by a court from your current state of residence. (You may need to contact an attorney for assistance obtaining this document in certain states). 

If you were not born in Colorado, you will need to follow the amendment instructions from the state’s vital records office. For more instructions, find the state that issued your birth certificate in A4TE’s ID Doc Center and skip to the section on birth certificates. 

For further information about amending records, you can contact the Colorado Vital Records Office.  

Colorado Driver's License Policy & Procedures 

In order to update the name on a Colorado ID, you must first change your name with the Social Security Administration. For more information on that process, visit the Social Security Record section of the ID Documents Center. 

To change your name on your license of state ID, you will need to make an in-person appointment with the DMV. You can schedule an appointment here. If you already have a Colorado ID and need to update your name, you should select the Driver License Renewal appointment option. 

Note: You will need to update your Colorado license of state ID within 30 days of receiving the certified court order for name change.  

You will need to bring the following to your DMV appointment: 

  • Your current driver’s license of identification card 
  • A certified court order of name change 
  • Proof of residency (a list of acceptable documents is available here) 
  • Proof of identity (a list of acceptable documents is available here) 
  • The renewal fee (varies depending on license type) 

When Updating the Name and Gender Marker, or Gender Marker Only 

To change your gender marker on your license of state ID, you will need to make an in-person appointment with the DMV. You can schedule an appointment here. If you already have a Colorado ID and need to update your name, you should select the Driver License Renewal appointment option. 

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles will issue an M, F, or X on a Colorado ID or driver's license. You will need to present an amended birth certificate with your preferred gender or fill out the DR2083 Change of Sex Designation Form. If you are a minor, you will need to have a health care provider familiar with your transition and a parent/guardian sign the DR2083 form. No disclosure of medical transition history is needed to update your gender marker. 

You will need to bring the following to your DMV appointment:  

  • Your current driver’s license of identification card 
  • DR2083 Change of Sex Designation Form 
  • Proof of residency (a list of acceptable documents is available here) 
  • Proof of identity (a list of acceptable documents is available here) 
  • The renewal fee (varies depending on license type) 
  • A certified court order of name change (if also updating your name) 

If you have additional questions, you may wish to contact your DMV at 303-205-5600.

Additional Resources

For even more information, please check out the A4TE Name Change Overview page as well as the additional state resources listed below. You can also reach out with questions via email at [email protected]. 

  • Colorado Courts —has compiled robust self-help instructions for adults and minors seeking name changes in Colorado. You can also find your county court here and contact your county clerk with questions or further assistance. 
  • Colorado Name Change Project—provides detailed instructions and assistance with gender marker and name changes in Colorado. They also have a name change form generator to guide you through the process. You can contact them with any additional questions through their website.  
  • Rocky Mountain Equality—works to provide advocacy, education, research, cultural events, and responsive programs and services for the LGBTQ community. If you are experiencing financial barriers to updating your identity documents, you can apply for their Vital Documents Assistance Program. Their office is located 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80301 

Colorado State Legislative Code Citations

Last updated April 2026.

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