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Minor Child 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

A minor child 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

Same statutory fee as an adult petition: $98 in County Court or $268 in District Court; waivable with Form JDF 205

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. 1

    Complete Form JDF 421 (Petition for Change of Name of Minor Child) following the instructions in JDF 420, filing in the county where the child lives.

  2. 2

    Notify the non-custodial parent using Form JDF 422 (Notice to Non-Custodial Parent), or file the parent's signed Form JDF 423 (Consent) — if the parent cannot be located, use JDF 424/JDF 425 to give notice by publication.

  3. 3

    If the minor is 14 or older, obtain fingerprint-based CBI and FBI criminal history checks no more than 90 days old and attach them to the petition.

  4. 4

    File the petition, pay the filing fee ($98 county / $268 district) or request a waiver with JDF 205, and publish the Public Notice (JDF 427) if the court orders it.

  5. 5

    Attend the hearing (both parents are generally expected to appear), obtain the signed Final Decree for Change of Name (JDF 448), and update the child's Social Security record, school records, and passport.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Change of Name of Minor ChildJDF 421Open ↗
Notice to Non-Custodial ParentJDF 422Open ↗
Consent of Non-Custodial ParentJDF 423Open ↗
Final Decree for Change of NameJDF 448Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required — If the court orders publication (JDF 426), the Public Notice (JDF 427) must be published at least three times within 21 days; publication may be waived in abuse or gender-identity cases.
Background check: Background check sometimes required
Good to know in Colorado:
  • • Both parents must generally be notified; the non-custodial parent must consent (JDF 423) or be served notice (JDF 422), and if they cannot be located you may give notice by publication (JDF 424/JDF 425).
  • • A fingerprint-based CBI and FBI background check is required only if the minor is 14 years of age or older.

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 →

Minor child name change in nearby states

Wisconsin →Minnesota →Maryland →South Carolina →

Minor Child Name Change in Colorado: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Colorado?
About $98, filed in the County Court or District Court (Civil). Same statutory fee as an adult petition: $98 in County Court or $268 in District Court; waivable with Form JDF 205.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Colorado?
Yes. If the court orders publication (JDF 426), the Public Notice (JDF 427) must be published at least three times within 21 days; publication may be waived in abuse or gender-identity cases.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Colorado?
Both parents generally must be notified. If the other parent objects or can't be found, the court decides based on the child's best interest. Both parents must generally be notified; the non-custodial parent must consent (JDF 423) or be served notice (JDF 422), and if they cannot be located you may give notice by publication (JDF 424/JDF 425).
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.