How to Change a Name in Pueblo, CO
If you have a name that you are not fond of, you may want to consider having a legal name change. You may also need to change your name for marriage or other reasons. If you live in Pueblo, Colorado, you can set about legally changing your name without involving a lawyer. In fact, you can fill out all of the necessary forms and take care of your legal name change yourself.
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Instructions
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Go to your local law enforcement office to obtain fingerprint cards no more than 90 days before you plan to petition for a name change in Pueblo. Look on the fingerprint card for an area that reads "Reason Fingerprinted" and write in "Section (§) 13-15-101 Legal Name Change." Write your name, address, and date of birth on the card if necessary (this may be done electronically by the law enforcement agency). You should receive two fingerprint cards.
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Mail one fingerprint card to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, Attn: SCU, Mod. D-2, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306, to obtain a criminal history record check. Be sure not to bend the card, and enclose a money order or certified check in the amount of $18 to cover your criminal history check. It can take 12 to 18 weeks to receive your criminal history check from the FBI.
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Wait 8 to 10 weeks and then take or mail the other fingerprint card to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at 690 Kipling, Denver, CO 80215. Do not bend the card, and send a money order for $16.50 (you can also pay in cash if you deliver the card in person) to cover your CBI background check, which may take four weeks to be sent to you.
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Complete Form JDF 433, Petition for Change of Name (Adult). All name change forms can be downloaded from the Colorado State Judicial Branch website (see Resources). Fill it out with your current name and address and the name you want to change to, and attach your criminal record check forms from the FBI and CBI. Sign the form in the presence of a notary public, or wait to sign it in court, before a court clerk.
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Fill out Form JDF 426 - Order for Publication for Change of Name, Form JDF 427 - Public Notice, and Form JDF 448 - Final Decree for Change of Name, with your name change details. These forms do not need to be notarized, as you will take them to court with you to be completed in person.
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Take all of the completed forms to the courthouse in Pueblo with the $90 filing fee that is due. Give all of the papers and the fee to the court clerk, who will look over the forms to make sure everything is completed properly. Wait to be given a court date for your name change hearing.
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Go to court on your appointed date for your name change hearing. If you have no criminal record and are at least 18 years old, the judge will give you pending approval to change your name. Once you get this approval, you must publish your name change in a local Pueblo newspaper three times within 21 days of your hearing, unless advised otherwise by the court, using Form JDF 427. Save copies of each publication, as you will need them.
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Return to the courthouse with the copies of your name change publication in the local Pueblo newspaper. Submit these items to the court clerk to complete your name change from pending to approved. You will be given a certified copy of your name change form, Decree for Name Change, signed by the court.
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Tips & Warnings
Be prepared to answer questions from the court as to why you wish to have a legal name change.
The court may require a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
These fees and instructions are applicable as of 2009; make sure that you check all fees and requirements carefully.
