Colorado Divorce Name Change Checklist

In Colorado, request name restoration as part of your divorce decree or file form JDF 1824 in the court that granted your divorce under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.2. This ex-parte motion does not require notice to your ex-spouse. Once you have a certified decree showing your restored name, update Social Security first (free), then Colorado DMV ($28), followed by passport, banks, and other accounts. The court filing is free if submitted within 60 days of the decree.

No separate court petition is required in Colorado if you include the name restoration in your divorce decree or file a post-decree motion under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.2. The standard adult name change statute C.R.S. § 13-15-101 explicitly does not apply to divorce-related name restorations. Your certified divorce decree with the name change provision serves as the legal document for all agencies. This simplified process was established by HB16-1085 to eliminate unnecessary court filings.

You need 5-10 certified copies of your divorce decree showing the name restoration (costs $20 per document plus $0.25-$0.75 per page from the District Court Clerk), your current government-issued photo ID, and proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement. For the DMV, you must also provide SSA confirmation showing your updated name. Colorado requires certified copies with official court seals—photocopies and notarized copies are not accepted.

Colorado court filing for name restoration costs $0 if filed within 60 days of the decree, or $105 thereafter. Certified decree copies cost $20 each plus page fees. The DMV charges $28 for a driver's license update or $11.50 for an ID card ($0 if age 60+). Social Security and passport name changes are free unless you request expedited passport processing ($60 extra). Total estimated cost ranges from $100-$300 depending on timing and number of certified copies needed.

The complete Colorado name change process takes 4-8 weeks when executed efficiently. Social Security processes name changes in 5-10 business days, though appointments may have 35-day wait times. The Colorado DMV issues new licenses within 30 days of your appointment. Passport processing takes 6-8 weeks for routine service or 2-3 weeks expedited. Banks and financial institutions typically update records within 1-2 weeks. Start with SSA immediately after receiving your certified divorce decree.

No, Colorado does not require you to change your name after divorce—it is entirely optional. You may keep your married name indefinitely with no legal consequences. If you later decide to restore your former name, Colorado has no statute of limitations under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.2, allowing you to file the motion at any time after the decree. Many people keep their married name for professional continuity or to match their children's surname.

Changing a child's name requires a separate petition under C.R.S. § 13-15-101, not the simplified divorce name restoration process. Both parents must consent, or you must provide notice to the non-consenting parent using form JDF 422 at least 30 days before the hearing. The court decides based on the child's best interests, considering factors like how long the child has used the current name and the impact on the relationship with both parents. Children 14 and older require FBI and CBI background checks.

Update your name with the Social Security Administration first—this is required before Colorado DMV will process your license change. Complete Form SS-5 and bring your certified divorce decree showing the name restoration plus a government-issued photo ID to your local SSA office. The service is free. Colorado DMV specifically requires SSA confirmation before issuing a new license, and the IRS needs matching records to process tax returns correctly.