1. Name Change Process in Colorado

A. Petition for Name Change

File a Petition for Name Change:
- You must file a Petition for Name Change with the District Court in the county where you live.
- The petition should include:
  - Your current legal name.
  - Your desired new name.
  - A statement explaining the reason for the name change (for example, aligning your name with your gender identity).
Where to file: File with the District Court Clerk in the county of residence.
Background Check:
- Colorado law requires a background check as part of the name change process. You will need to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check.
- Background check results can be obtained from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or through an authorized third-party service.
Notice of Petition:
- You are required to publish a Notice of Petition in a local newspaper in the county of residence once your petition is filed.
- The notice must be published once a week for three consecutive weeks.
- If you are concerned for safety or privacy, you may file a request with the court to waive the publication requirement.
Court Hearing:
- After the publication period ends, the court will schedule a hearing.
- The judge will review your petition and may ask questions.
- If the judge approves the petition, they will issue an Order for Name Change.
Obtain the Court Order:
- Once approved, you will receive the court order legally changing your name. This is the official document that allows you to update your records.

B. Update Documents

Social Security Administration (SSA):
- To update your name with the SSA, fill out Form SS-5 (the name change form).
- Submit the court order along with the form and valid identification (such as a passport, birth certificate, or current Social Security card).
- There is no fee for this process.
Driver’s License or State ID:
- To update your Colorado driver’s license or state ID, visit the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
- Bring the following documents:
  - The court order for name change.
  - Proof of identity (e.g., passport or birth certificate).
  - Current driver’s license or state ID.
- There is a fee for updating your ID, typically around $30.
Other Documents:
- After updating your name with SSA and the DMV, update your name with other institutions:
  - Medical records.
  - Bank accounts and credit cards.
  - Employment records.
  - Utility and service accounts.

2. Gender Marker Change Process in Colorado

A. Gender Marker Change on Driver’s License or State ID

Request for Gender Marker Change:
- To change the gender marker on your Colorado driver’s license or state ID, you must submit a Request for Gender Designation Change to the Colorado DMV.
- You need to provide:
  - A letter from a licensed healthcare provider confirming that you have undergone gender-affirming care, and that the gender marker change is consistent with your gender identity. The letter should state that treatment is ongoing or appropriate for your transition.
Visit the DMV:
- Bring the following documents to the DMV:
  - Your current driver’s license or state ID.
  - Letter from healthcare provider.
  - Proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport).
- There is a fee for this update, typically around $30.

B. Gender Marker Change on Birth Certificate

File a Petition with the Court:
- To change the gender marker on your birth certificate in Colorado, you must file a petition with the District Court.
- The petition must include:
  - Your birth certificate.
  - A letter from a healthcare provider confirming that the gender marker change is consistent with your gender identity.
Court Hearing:
- Once the petition is filed, the court will schedule a hearing.
- At the hearing, the judge will review the petition and any provided documentation.
- If the judge approves the request, they will issue a court order to change the gender marker on your birth certificate.
Submit Court Order to Vital Records:
- After receiving the court order, submit it to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), which handles vital records.
- Submit the court order along with a birth certificate request form to have the gender marker updated.
- There is a fee for obtaining an updated birth certificate (approximately $20-$30).

3. Summary Checklist for Colorado

Name Change Process:

File a Petition for a name change with the District Court.
Complete the background check and submit it with the petition.
Publish the Notice of Petition in a local newspaper for three weeks (unless waived by the court).
Attend the Court Hearing and receive the court order for name change.
Update Documents:
- Social Security: Submit Form SS-5 and the court order to the SSA.
- Driver’s License/State ID: Submit the court order and identification to the DMV.
- Update other documents (e.g., medical, bank, and employment records).

Gender Marker Change Process:

For Driver’s License/State ID:
- Submit a letter from a healthcare provider to DMV along with your current ID and proof of identity.
- Pay the $30 fee to update the ID.
For Birth Certificate:
- File a petition with the District Court for a gender marker change.
- Submit the court order to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to update your birth certificate.
- Pay the $20-$30 fee for the new birth certificate.

Important Notes:

No Surgery Requirement for ID: Colorado does not require proof of surgery to update your driver’s license or state ID gender marker.
Court Order Requirement for Birth Certificate: A court order is necessary to change the gender marker on your birth certificate in Colorado.

By following these steps, transgender individuals in Colorado can successfully update their legal name and gender marker to align with their gender identity.

Sources:

Colorado Judicial Branch: https://www.courts.state.co.us
Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmv
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment: https://cdphe.colorado.gov