Adult Name Change in Colorado: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Colorado County Court and District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in Colorado is filed in the County Court or District Court (Civil), costs about $98, and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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What it costs

Filing fee

$98

Statewide statutory fee: $98 in County Court (§13-32-101) or $268 in District Court (§13-15-101). Waivable with Form JDF 205; the waiver does not cover the separate CBI ($16.50) and FBI ($18) fingerprint fees or the newspaper publication cost

Court

County Court or District Court (Civil)

County Court or District Court in the county where you live

Timeline

6–12 weeks

Step by step

1
Complete Form JDF 433 (Petition for Change of Name - Adult) and sign it in front of a court clerk or notary; follow the instructions in JDF 432 (Guide to Adult Name Changes).
2
Obtain fingerprint-based criminal history checks from BOTH the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the FBI, taken within 90 days before filing, and attach the results as Exhibit A to the petition.
3
File the petition with the County Court or District Court clerk in the county where you live and pay the filing fee ($98 county / $268 district), or file Form JDF 205 to request a fee waiver.
4
If the court grants an Order for Publication (JDF 426), publish the Public Notice (JDF 427) at least three times within 21 days, then file proof of publication.
5
Obtain the signed Final Decree for Change of Name (JDF 448), order certified copies, and use them to update Social Security, the Colorado DMV, your US passport, and your accounts.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

Form	Code	Official link
Instructions for Filing a Change of Name - Adult (Guide to Adult Name Changes)	JDF 432	Open ↗
Petition for Change of Name - Adult	JDF 433	Open ↗
Order for Publication for Change of Name	JDF 426	Open ↗
Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name (Minor/Adult)	JDF 427	Open ↗
Final Decree for Change of Name	JDF 448	Open ↗
Motion to Waive Fees (fee waiver)	JDF 205	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Required — After the court enters the Order for Publication (JDF 426), publish the Public Notice (JDF 427) at least three times within 21 days in a newspaper. Publication can be waived for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, or domestic abuse, or where the change conforms to the petitioner's gender identity.

Background check: Fingerprint/background check required

Good to know in Colorado:

• An adult name change may be filed in either County Court ($98) or District Court ($268); most self-represented petitioners file in County Court for the lower fee. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk.
• Colorado requires fingerprint-based criminal history checks from BOTH the CBI and the FBI, conducted within 90 days before filing and attached to the petition.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Colorado license, then your passport and accounts.

Who to notify →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Adult petition name change in nearby states

Wisconsin →Minnesota →Maryland →South Carolina →

Adult (Court) Name Change in Colorado: FAQ

How much does a adult (court) name change cost in Colorado?

About $98, filed in the County Court or District Court (Civil). Statewide statutory fee: $98 in County Court (§13-32-101) or $268 in District Court (§13-15-101). Waivable with Form JDF 205; the waiver does not cover the separate CBI ($16.50) and FBI ($18) fingerprint fees or the newspaper publication cost.

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Colorado?

Yes. After the court enters the Order for Publication (JDF 426), publish the Public Notice (JDF 427) at least three times within 21 days in a newspaper. Publication can be waived for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, or domestic abuse, or where the change conforms to the petitioner's gender identity.

How long does it take in Colorado?

Typically 6–12 weeks from filing to a signed order, then Social Security (7–10 business days), the DMV, and your passport (4–6 weeks).

What do I do after the judge signs my order in Colorado?

Order certified copies, then update Social Security first, the DMV next, then your passport, banks, and employer. Our Who-To-Notify Checklist builds the full ordered list.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.