A Complete Guide to Legal Name Change in Colorado
Navigating the laws regarding name changes in any state can be rather tricky. After all, there are so many clauses and rules, it can be difficult to wrap you head around them. This guide will help you successfully complete a name change in Colorado through marriage, divorce, or court order.
Getting a Colorado Marriage License
Apply for Marriage License
The first step is to fill out an application for a marriage license issued by your county clerk's office. Because Colorado does not have a residency requirement for marriage license applications, you may apply for a marriage license at any county court clerk's office in the state. Both you and your partner must fill out separate applications.
This application must include your name, sex, address, social security number, the date and place of birth of each party getting married, and proof of date of birth—either by a birth certificate, a driver's license, or other comparable evidence.
If either party (or even both parties) was previously married, the party's married name and the date, place, and court in which the marriage was dissolved or declared invalid, or the date and place of death of the former spouse, must be included.
If either party (or both parties) has previously been a partner in a civil union, they must list the name of the other partner in the civil union, or the date, place, and court in which the civil union was dissolved or declared invalid, or the date and place of death of the former partner in the civil union.
Finally, you must include the name and address of the parents or guardian of each party and whether the parties are related to each other; if so, list their relationship. The state of Colorado prohibits marriage between an ancestor and a descendant or between a brother and a sister, whether the relationship is by the half or the whole blood. Additionally, it's prohibited between an uncle and a niece, or between an aunt and a nephew by half or whole blood, except as to marriages permitted by the established customs of aboriginal cultures.
After turning in both you and your partner's applications, you will then be prescribed the forms for the marriage license, the marriage certificate, and the consent to marriage.
Obtaining a Marriage License and Fees
While the application forms for the marriage license are free, obtaining the license itself is not. After at least one party turns in the marriage application forms to the county clerk, you must pay a fee of $7 for the marriage license itself, an additional fee of $20 that will go to the Colorado domestic abuse program fund, and another additional amount established pursuant to section 25-2-121, C.R.S.—to be credited to the vital statistics records cash fund pursuant to section 25-2-121, C.R.S.
In total, the county clerk shall only issue you and your partner with a license to marry and a marriage certificate form upon being furnished $30. Cash is universally accepted. Some offices accept check. If paying by credit card, there may be an extra surcharge to cover the transaction.
Keep in mind that simply filling out a marriage license does not officially or legally mean that you are married in the eyes of Colorado law. It simply grants you permission to marry your partner within the state of Colorado, meaning that you cannot take this license and hold the ceremony in another state.
After earning the marriage license, you and your partner have 35 days to solemnize your marriage (that is, to hold the ceremony) before it is considered void and must then be returned to the county clerk as a cancellation.
When Can You Change Your Name?
When you first fill out your marriage license and certificate, you must sign them with your existing, pre-marriage name. Keep in mind that both the marriage license and the marriage certificate are on the same document.
To solemnize your marriage, you must either have your marriage certificate signed by a civil officiate such as a judge or magistrate, or a religious officiate such as a minister, pastor, reverend, priest, rabbi, or monk. You can also self-solemnize if both you and your partner sign the officiant's space with your pre-marriage names and write “self-solemnized” on your certificate. No witnesses are required for self-solemnization. You can find visual examples of how to fill out your certificate.
After this, you must return your marriage license and marriage certificate document to your county clerk's office 63 days upon completing it. You may either turn it in through the mail or in-person. If you return this document after the 63 day period is up, you may have to pay late fees of no less than $20, with $5 in additional fees tacked on for each subsequent day you fail to return your marriage license and certificate to your county clerk's office. The maximum amount in late fee penalties for this failure is $50.
If you would like certified copies of this document for name change purposes (i.e. assuming your spouse's name), send a check made payable to the Manager of Finance with your document. Certified copies are $1.25 each. You may then change your last name to your spouse's with these copies.
You can use these copies as proof of your name change to governmental facilities, your employer, schools, and with your friends and family.
Laws Regarding Name Changes for Marriage
Whose Name is Taken in Marriage?
Many women prefer to take their husband's last name once they are married. This is definitely an option, but there are no laws requiring a woman do this.
In a heterosexual marriage, the woman may choose to keep her own last name, hyphenate her last name with her husband's in whatever order she chooses, choose to assume her husband's last name, or even come up with a new last name altogether.
If you want to assume your partner's last name (either through assuming it entirely or by hyphenating your last names), all you would have to do is use your marriage certificate as-is to effect a name change.
If you are still attached to your maiden name even after taking your partner's last name, you can simply replace your former middle name with your maiden name when going through the name change process. That way, you are still able to maintain your pre-married identity and your family history.
However, if you or your partner chooses to change your last (or even first) names altogether, changing your names on the certified copies of your marriage certificate alone will not suffice. To completely change your names, you must file a petition for a name change in court.
All the same laws apply if the husband wishes to change his name in marriage as well, either by assuming his wife's name or by changing his last name entirely in a court-sanctioned petition.
There are several ways you can change your name after marriage, so let's go into more detail on that…
Assuming Your Partner's Name
Whether you are assuming your partner's name or hyphenating it with your own, you don't actually have to document this on the marriage application, license, or certificate. A certified copy of your marriage certificate along is sufficient to enforce a name change request. In order to receive these copies, you must request them from the county clerk's office as you turn in the initial marriage license and marriage certificate document for their records.
Remember, you must make a payment of $1.25 for each certified copy you request. It's even better to save time by preordering a copy at the same time you apply for your marriage license so that it's automatically mailed to your after your marriage license has been successfully recorded.
Assuming a Different Name
If you or your partner (or the both of you) decide to change your name into something different altogether, then you must file a petition for a name change in court.
This process can be tedious, and will require you to:
- Fill out a petition.
- File it with your local court.
- Verify the petition by affidavit.
- Give your reasons for seeking a name change.
- Pay for and submit a criminal history check to the court and disclose any additional criminal dispositions.
- Publish notice of your petition in a local newspaper three times and file proof of publication with the court.
- Attend a court hearing where the court will consider your petition.
If satisfied, the court will then issue an order changing your name. Be sure to get certified copies of that order, so you can update your name on your birth certificate, at governmental facilities, work, school, and with loved ones.
Same-Sex Marriages
Colorado has no law prohibiting same-sex marriage (unless it was arranged prior to the proper dissolution of one of the partner's previous marriages). The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in 2014, and Colorado law must recognize all same-sex marriages—regardless of whether they were conducted in-state or outside of it—as valid and legal, so long as the couple can provide all their papers.
As such, the name change processes are also the same as those for heterosexual marriages.
Can I Change My Name Through Common Law Marriage?
Colorado law respects the common law rule that says you can change your name whenever you wish, as long as you're not trying to commit fraud.
Does this mean you can change your name through common law marriage? The answer is no. There is no common law marriage name change loophole.
The Social Security Administration, DMV, and other federal agencies will not recognize common law marriage as valid grounds for a legal name change in Colorado.
You'll either have to get married with a marriage license or file a name change petition in court. A certified copy of your later marriage certificate or court order will serve as proof of your name change event.
Divorce and Name Changes
Can You Go Back to Using Your Birth/Previous Married Name?
Yes, with conditions:
- Keeping your married name was not in the written separation agreement you and your former partner have worked on together.
- The court deems this agreement not unconscionable as to support, maintenance, and property.
- You receive a copy of the decree of dissolution of marriage.
If these conditions are met, you may choose to go back to using your birth name or to change your name entirely.
If you choose to change your name completely, you can file a petition for a name change in court and follow the same steps as you would in the Assuming a Different Name subsection for marriage.
Of course, you are not required to change your name after divorce. Many people choose to keep their married name after divorce due to personal, familial, and professional reasons.
How to Update Your Name in Colorado Records
Whether you have changed your name through marriage or divorce, the process to have your records legally altered is the same: show an authorizing document that permits a name change.
Report Your Name Change to the Social Security Administration (SSA)
You can either complete your social security card name change in person or through the mail.
If you go in person, you must bring:
- A completed Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5).
- Evidence of your age and identity (such as your old driver's license or birth certificate).
- Legal name change documents—like your marriage certificate, a court-ordered name change form, or a divorce decree.
- Proof of your U.S. citizenship or proof of immigration status.
Keep in mind that it takes at least 24 business hours for changes to be processed.
You will then receive your new Social Security card in the mail. Note that your Social Security Number (SSN) itself will not change.
Update Your Colorado Driver's License or ID
Simply bring these to your nearest Colorado DMV:
- Legal name change documents, like your marriage certificate, a court-ordered name change form, or a divorce decree.
- Confirmation from the SSA (which can include either an official letter from the SSA confirming your name change or your new Social Security card).
- Proof of your address (which can be represented through a utility bill, bank statement, or rent or mortgage document).
- $28 to update your driver's license. Additionally, if you or your partner has a commercial driver's license, then you must also pay $15.50 to update that.
- $11.50 to update an ID card if you are under 60 years old. If you want to update an ID card and you are 60 and older, then the update is free.
You must notify the Colorado DMV within 30 days of changing your name due to marriage, divorce, civil union, or court order.
Update Your Vehicle Title
Simply bring these to your county DMV:
- Legal name change documents like your marriage certificate, a court-ordered name change form, or a divorce decree.
- Proof of your identity (which can include your driver's license or ID card, a U.S. passport, or a foreign passport with a valid visa and I-94 form).
- Your vehicle's VIN number or your Colorado title number.
- A completed Duplicate Title Request and Receipt form (DR 2539A).
- $8.20 to update your vehicle title.
Update Your Vehicle Registration
Requirements to change your name on your vehicle registration differ depending on the county. Call your county DMV for information on what fees and taxes to expect, as well as accepted payment options.
Notify Other Important Facilities
This includes:
- Employers
- Schools
- Post Office (via change of address form)
- Department of Records or Vital Statistics
- Banks and Other Financial Institutions
- Telephone and Utility Companies
- State Taxing Authority
- Insurance Agencies
- Registrar of Voters
- Passport Office
- Public Assistance (Welfare) Office
- Veterans Administration
- Friends, colleagues, and family members
Be sure to update the name on your professional degrees and licenses, as well as notifying any pertinent medical or professional boards about your new name.
Keep in mind that if you have finalized a decree of dissolution of marriage, the clerk of the court shall give notice of the entry to the office of State Registrar of Vital Statistics in the Division of Administration of the Department of Public Health and Environment for you.
When You Cannot Change Your Name
If you are trying to change your name to avoid civil or criminal liability, in order to commit a crime, to mislead someone, or to something clearly offensive, racist, obscene, or even intimidating, courts can refuse to hold a hearing for you, regardless if you are supposedly doing it for marriage or not.
What if you got married and then find out your husband never got divorced from his first wife but he thought they were divorced? Now you're not together any more.
Do I need a divorce since we were never legally married to change my last name back to my maiden name. Really don't want to keep his last name anymore.
Hi Delores. You might want to consult in an attorney to determine if the validity of your marriage is contestable. Even though your husband thought his divorce was finalized, there could be circumstances where your second marriage might be deemed valid. You could also seek an annulment instead of a divorce and use the certificate of annulment to legally change your name.
Hi, My husband and I married almost 2 years ago, and I went through a paid name change website to send me all of my forms and help simplify/expedite the name change process.
I filled out my paperwork, and haven't yet gotten around to going to a SS office to turn it in and officially change my last name to his.
Is there any sort of expiration on these documents, since they were dated when I signed them? Do I need to fill them out again with a more recent date? Thanks!
It's possible the documents were replaced with a newer version.
If you have ability to redo your documents, it's worth filling them out again and applying a recent date.
We've been married for 10 years, this new years eve. My wife didn't change her last name at the time. But we have decided to make that change. Is there a time limit on how long we can wait before enforcing a change based on marriage?
No, your wife can move forward with her name change any time.
Hi,
I am getting married this summer in Colorado. I am hoping to change my middle name to my matrilineal surname, which does not appear on my ID. Can I change my middle name to the matrilineal name and my last name to my spouse's last name through marriage?
You cannot change your name to your matrilineal name through marriage, since it is not part of your existing legal name.
If I was married in Colorado and changed my name on the license but then never did any of the actual process are we married? Could I get into trouble? Quickly after getting married I realized I didn’t want his last name and I might not even want to be married
Yes, your marriage is valid whether or not you change your name.
No, name change is not required.
I legally changed my first name after getting married and my last name to my husbands last name during the same name change. How can I change our marriage certificate/license to reflect my new first name, and since I legally changed my last name to his last name will I have to use that last name on the new marriage certificate/license?
That's not possible in Colorado. Recorded marriage certificates are historical records that aren't meant to be changed, short of correcting errors.
I filed my second divorce just as COVID hit my area and requested that my name change. I was told that I could change it to any name I've previously used.
I have used an alias for years except for legal documents (as it didn't match my identification) and that was the name I asked to have once the divorce finalized.
My request was approved and I now have my Social Security card and Driver License showing it. Did I mess up? Do I still need to go through the Legal Name Change process?
No, your name has successfully changed.
Hi, my abusive ex and I were together for 15 years. He never married me even though I wanted to.
We had our son. I was coerced into giving my son his dad's name and it was insinuated he would marry me I'd receive last name after our child. Abuse escalated after child born.
I left ex in 2020 to protect our child. We went through child custody court. I have a mandatory protection orders and had years of abusive audio recordings and evidence. A CFI confirmed my claims. Anyway,
My son and I are close I want us both to have the same last name since I am also sole legal custodial parent. (Sole decision-maker) I know my abusive ex and his rich enabling family would fight me in court if I attempted to change my son's name to mine.
I live in women's shelter and don't have money from family. Can I just changed my last name to my ex's? My son said he'd love me to have this name. My reason is not to affiliate myself with my ex but just for my son. Especially since I gave my son his dad's last name because I thought I'd get it. He lied. Can his family sue me for changing my last name to my son's? It's not a super uncommon name. Thank you.
Yes, but you'll have to file a court petition for change of name.
No, not for changing your name.
Here is a question that is hard for some to understand. My wife is a doctor and all of her medical license, DEA and etc. are in her maiden name since that is when she obtained her degree. Now we are married and she has taken my name, but after looking at the change to medical license is almost impossible.
How can she keep my last name on drivers license and passport in Colorado? We lived in Virginia and they just needed to see medical license, ssn and marriage certificate to then issue her a REAL ID drivers license with my last name on it.
So if the state of Virginia can issue a REAL ID drivers license and the US Passport service can issue her a passport with my last name then why is this an issue in Colorado?
Hi Gregory. Where is your wife facing trouble getting a REAL ID in Colorado? Whatever difficulty she's facing with her medical license is unrelated to REAL ID.
I've successfully changed my name in Colorado. I’m wondering how to let other entities such as the Denver public school system. I submitted a change for my state issued insurance but never heard back. These two entities are keeping my old last name until I figure out how to accomplish this.
Hi Maggie. You'll need to contact the Denver public school system directly. Generally, you'll need to mail a photocopy of your marriage certificate (or other pertinent proof of name change document) to the requisite office attached to a form letter detailing your old and new name.
My wife and I got married 5.5 years ago in Montana. We are now residents in Colorado. I want to take her last name now. I didn’t write the new, different name on the marriage certificate. Do I have to petition for a name change or follow the instructions to change it to spouse’s last name? Thanks!
Hi Charlsey. You don't need to petition the court. You can change your name using your Montana marriage certificate as-is.
If my divorce decree grants my petition to revert to my maiden name, but I have not actually done so three years hence, is that a problem? Some people are telling my that the divorce decree WAS a legal name change that I asked for so not changing back (ie. getting a license, ss card etc in my maiden name) now is "fraud".
Other people are saying it was just permission to do it if I want to at any point and I don't have to if I don't want to. I may want to later but right now am waiting. I just don't want to get in trouble.
That's not a problem.
They don't know what they're talking about.
It's not fraud. The reverted name in your divorce decree gives you the "option" to change your name. Whether you pursue it is up to you. The divorce court doesn't care either way.
That's true.
Correct. Name change is optional no matter what's shown in your divorce decree.
There's no time limit. Do it when your ready, or never.
You won't.
I was recently married and would like to change my last name to my now husband name. I want to drop my first name and just keep my middle name as my first name and his last name. Would I need to go through the court?
Yes, you'd have to go to court. Marriage wouldn't help you here.
I am legally married in Colorado, however, I did not change my name on the marriage certificate. I sent in my application to SS to have my name changed, but since my husband's last name did not appear on my certificate, they denied the application. What would be the process for changing it on the marriage certificate?
Are you saying the Colorado county clerk and recorder left off your husband's name on the marriage certificate? If so, that's a major blunder. You'll have to contact them to get it corrected and reissued.
No, sorry. I should have worded that differently. I did not end up signing with my husband's last name. I signed with my maiden name.
Hi Mayra. You should have signed your maiden name. That's your only choice in Colorado as the marriage license application doesn't have a new name block? Unless they changed it recently? Did you notice such a field? If not, the SSA should have derived your new name from your husband's. It shouldn't have been rejected.
It feels like there's a missing piece to this story. Did they provide an explanation for the denial?
Hello. I was not given a middle name at birth but would like to make my now passed away grandmas middle name my own legally. I was just married in Colorado and live here and I have not started the paperwork to change my last name to my husbands.
Do I need to go through the process of petitioning to change my name to add my middle name legally before filling out the paperwork for my new last name or can i just add my intended middle name to the paperwork that I'm using to change my last name?
Hi Callie. You would have to pursue a court name change. You may either change your last name through marriage, then follow-up with a second court-petitioned name change to do your middle. Or skip the marriage name change and do both through court.
I want to take my to-be-husband's last name while keeping my own, but without hyphenating. So, using a fake name, it would look like this: Mary Jo Adams Jefferson, if "Mary Jo Adams" were my full name and "Jefferson" my to-be-husband's last name. Is that possible in Colorado? We are marrying in a state other than Colorado, but reside here and I will be changing my CO license, etc. here.
Hi Mary. Can you specify where your marriage will take place?
Hello,
I changed my full name by a court order but by the time I have received my new SSA card and scheduled an appointment with the local DMV the 30 days will have passed. I've contacted them but there are no earlier appointments available.
Do you happen to know what the penalties will be for not being able the renew my drivers license earlier?
Thank you!
There doesn't appear to be any. This isn't surprising. For many states, the rule is toothless and not enforced.
Hi There,
My husband-to-be legally has a Jr. to his name, and we're looking to use a new last name entirely. Is he able to drop his middle name and use his current last name as the middle and then use the new last name? Also, can he drop the Jr. to his name?
Thanks!
Hi Rachel. Technically, Jr isn't considered part of his legal last name. At least as far as the SSA is concerned. Changing to an entirely new last name requires a court order. A court order would fulfill all his preferences. Keep in mind, you'd both have to file separate petitions to match names.
Ok, thank you so much Valera!
My husband and I got married a few years back when he had his old last name from a previous step dad. He changed his name through the courts and I want my last name to be his new last name. What is the easiest way to get this done? Could we just get re-married and have a new marriage license showing his new last name?
Hi Claire. You'd have to pursue a court-petitioned name change. Same as your husband.
Hello
I recently found out that my legal name on my marriage license/certificate is incorrect as there is dash(-)in the middle of my name where there is no dash on my actual legal name. Could I correct my name? It will be greatly appreciated if you could let me know how to correct my name from abroad.
Yes, you can correct your Colorado marriage record.
You can mail your paperwork and evidence from abroad. The process is the same.
Hello, if I have Plead Guilty and charged to a Misprision of Felony, can I legally change my last time or hyphenate it after my fiancé and I are married?
Hi Heather. Yes, you can change your name.
My wife and I got married in NY, and she did not take my last name on the marriage license/certificate. We moved to Colorado. She wanted to start using my last name. She submitted the marriage license to SS, and SS issued a new card with my last name. She submitted the marriage license and SS card to DMV, and DMV issued her a new driver's license with my last name.
Has she "legally" changed her name, or just changed her name for SS and DMV purposes?
Yes, that is a legal name change.
I understand i can't change my name without being legally married. Could I petition the court to change it?
Of course.
My husband and I filed for common law marriage in 2014. How would I go about changing my last name to his? I've read the method is different.
Hi Susan. You can't change your name through common law marriage.
my husband was born in vail colorado but we got married and currently live in texas. his name was misspelled in his birth certificate and would like to correct it. could we do that without having to go to colorado ?
Hi Kimberly. You can correct your Colorado birth certificate by mail.
Married my partner in DC 2010, but marriage wasn’t recognized in Colorado until 5 years ago. I used my birth name on my marriage certificate, but want to take my husband’s last name. How would I go about it?
Hi Eric. Same as usual. By using a certified copy of your marriage certificate for the SSA, DMV, etc.
If I am going to be married in Colorado and would like to take my future husband’s last name but also add my maiden name as a middle name (thus giving me two middle names), can I do that via my marriage documents?
Hi Becki. I don't believe that's possible. At best you could drop your middle for your maiden.
When I got married in 2004, I did just that. I added my maiden name to my middle name (now I have two middle names and I did not add a hyphen anywhere in my name).
I just signed it that way on the marriage certificate after we were married. I then used the marriage certificate to change my name on everything else. I don't know if laws have changed since then.
Hi Balina. This period also predates the age of REAL ID.
I was able to switched my maiden last name to be a middle name (giving me 2 middle names) at the social security office with just my marriage license as of 2022
Hi Felix. How about the Colorado DMV? Were you able to complete the change on your driver's license or REAL ID as well?
If I keep my first name and take my husband-to-be last name, would I be able to add a middle name that is not my maiden name, just a new middle name to my marriage certificate without having to petition the court?
No, that's not allowed.
My wife and I were married in Sweden. The marriage certificate is in English and has the apostille seal. However I see that she cannot get her name changed on her driver's license in CO with a foreign marriage certificate? How would we go about changing her last name?
Hi Bob. Why do you say your wife can't change her name with a foreign certificate? Is that what the Colorado DMV said?
Yes. It says that on their website.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmv/change-your-name-your-credential
How would we go about changing her name?
Hi Bob. You're right. This appears to be a thing. I did some research on this and here's the recommendation.
Apply for a Colorado marriage license, self-solemnize it (act as your own officiant), then get it certified at the same time. So it's one in-office transaction. Use that U.S. marriage certificate along with the foreign marriage certificate to effect a name change with the Department of Revenue.
What is the quickest way to change my last name back to my maiden name? My divorce was final in 2008.
HI Wendy. If your divorce decree has a judge's order restoring your maiden name, get a certified copy of your divorce decree. Use that to change your name with various federal and state agencies.
If the divorce decree does not mention restoring the maiden name, how would I go about changing my last name to my maiden name?
Hi Christina. Contact the court and ask for an amendment to your divorce decree. If that doesn't work, you can pursue a court-petitioned name change.
In 2010, I submitted a request to a Colorado County Court to have my legal name changed to be *exactly* the name I have used my entire life. Only my US Passport had the first name from my birth certificate on it.
After the passage of the "Patriot Act" using my given name as firstInitial-fullMiddle name became problematic due to the arrogant white male paradigm. So I went to County Court in the county where I resided, and filed for a court order to change my name. Unfortunately, I was unaware that the final court order had to specifically state "first name = W Robert" for one particular Colorado state agency to recognize this change. (btw, my real name is not W Robert)
Can I now ask that County Court to further clarify my previous request for name change and give me an amended final order? Or must I redo the whole process in the County Court where I now reside?
I am *NOT* looking to change my name, I am looking to assure that the given name I've used my entire life is recognized as what might have been considered first initial-space-middle name.
The US State Department recognized that 2010 court order and my passport now reflects that. The Social Security card I received in the late 1960s was correct, showing my name that way. Now want it to be legally and completely recognized, and my high school diploma, college degrees, real estate deeds, motor vehicle titles, tax returns, financial accounts, voter registration, everything I can think of has that name I've always used.
Advice?
Hi Randy. Getting another court order would result in another documented name change, not a clarification. You can contact the court and request an amendment or letter of clarification.
Alternatively, consider completing a one and the same person affidavit where you specify your incorrect name and one true name. You'll have to swear to it and, of course, get it notarized.
You'll want to contact that one agency that's giving you resistance if that will be sufficient. If not, can they document why?
My husband has 2 last names do I have to take both of them?
Hi Kate. If you were to take his name, it would have to be both. Partials aren't permitted.
What is the process to change my wife's last name if we already got married but didn't put it on the Marriage License? We got married in Colorado, wondering if we can just get the Marriage License adjusted.
Same as it always is: using a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
You didn't because you couldn't. Colorado doesn't provide an opportunity specify a new name after marriage. That's why it doesn't appear on your certificate.
Unnecessary. Colorado is one of the majority of states where you can't choose a new name applying for a marriage license. It's a non-issue. Your wife can change her name fine using the existing certificate.
I never liked the name i was given at birth and im getting divorced so i figured now is the time to fix that as well as my last name. Are there more steps to changing my full name? Or how would i go about doing that because the only name im keeping is my middle name (because its a family name).
Hi Baemon. You could ask the judge to include an order changing your name during divorce proceedings. It'll be specified in your final divorce decree. However, it's unlikely they'll allow a change to your first name. In such a case, you'd have to get your name changed through a separate court petition.
Sir,
My Grand Father settled in Colorada around 1906-1907. His name at time was Edward John Marcinkowski, dob 2 July 1885. His daughter was born in 1910 with the given the name – Flora Marcinkowski. However, His son, my father, was born in1913, with the give name – Edward John Martin.
I would like to determine when our name was changed and was it done through the courts. Could you please point me in the right direction.
Try contacting Colorado's vital records office if ordering vital records on your own is too muddy to navigate.
My family had a similar situation during the same time period. My grandfather changed his surname, a long, difficult to pronounce Polish one, into a shortened version along with anglicizing his first name. This was all done by common law, and we have yet to discover any court records.
I changed my name on social security but now wish I could undo it. Can I just go and change my name back? That's all it's changed on. Do I just show my marriage certificate? Thanks.
Forgot to mention I married in Florida but live in Colorado if that makes a difference.
Where you married or currently reside doesn't impact your situation.
Hi Vivian. Since you've already changed your name on your social security card, you'll need to obtain a court order to change it back to your prior name.