What you need to do to change your name on your Colorado license

To change your name on your Colorado driver's license, you submit a form to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with a document that proves your legal name change. The DMV does not process name changes themselves — they update your license once you show them proof that your name has already changed through marriage, divorce, court order, or another legal process. You can do this in person at a DMV office, by mail, or online through the Colorado DMV website, depending on which method fits your situation.

The process takes different paths depending on why your name changed. If you married or divorced, you need a marriage certificate or divorce decree. If you changed your name by court order, you need the court order itself. The DMV will not accept a name change without this document — they are verifying that the change is legal, not making it happen.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a legal document proving your name change before the DMV will update your license — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
  • Colorado allows you to change your name on your license online, by mail, or in person, and the method you choose depends on which document you have and how quickly you need the new license.
  • The online process is fastest if you have a certified copy of your legal document and a valid Colorado license, and takes about one to two weeks.
  • If you are changing your name by court order rather than marriage or divorce, you will need to go in person or mail your documents to the DMV.

Changing your name after marriage or divorce

If your name changed because you married or divorced, you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree. A certified copy is an official version with a seal or stamp from the court or vital records office — a photocopy or the document you received at the ceremony will not work. You can request a certified copy from the county clerk's office where you were married or divorced, or from the Colorado Department of Vital Statistics if you need it mailed to you.

Once you have the certified document, you can change your name online through the Colorado DMV website if you have a valid Colorado driver's license. You will upload a photo of your certified document, pay the fee (currently $20 for a name change), and the DMV will mail your new license to you. This usually takes one to two weeks. If you do not have a valid Colorado license or prefer to handle it in person, you can visit any DMV office with your certified document and your current license.

Changing your name by court order

If you changed your name through a court order (not marriage or divorce), you will need the certified copy of that court order from the district court that issued it. Contact the clerk's office in the county where the order was issued and request a certified copy. Some courts mail these; others require you to pick them up in person.

Court-ordered name changes cannot be processed online through the Colorado DMV. You must either mail your documents to the DMV or go in person to a DMV office. If you mail them, send your certified court order, your current driver's license (or a copy of it), and the name change form (Form DL 44, available on the Colorado DMV website) to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the fee. Processing by mail typically takes two to four weeks.

Processing times and what to expect

Online processing is the fastest route if you are may be able to access. The DMV mails your new license after they receive and verify your documents, which usually takes one to two weeks from the time you submit. You will receive an email confirmation when your process is received.

In-person processing at a DMV office is when ready for the transaction itself — you walk out with a temporary paper license the same day — but your permanent license is still mailed to you and arrives within one to two weeks. Going in person is useful if you need proof of the name change right away or if you are uncomfortable mailing original documents.

Mail processing takes longer because your documents travel to the DMV, are reviewed, and then your license is printed and mailed back to you. Budget two to four weeks for this method, and consider sending documents via certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

Documents you will need

Your certified legal document is the core requirement. Bring or send one of the following:

  • A certified copy of your marriage certificate (if you married)
  • A certified copy of your divorce decree (if you divorced)
  • A certified copy of your court order for name change (if you changed your name by court petition)

You will also need your current Colorado driver's license or identification card. If you are going in person, bring the original documents. If you are mailing them, send copies and keep the originals. If you are using the online process, you will photograph or scan your certified document and upload it.

Where to go and how to contact the DMV

Colorado has DMV offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Colorado DMV website. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Some offices accept appointments, which you can book through the website.

If you are mailing your documents, the address is on Form DL 44, which you can read from the Colorado DMV website. If you have questions about your specific situation, you can call the Colorado DMV customer service line. They can tell you whether your document will be accepted and which method is fastest for your case.

Fees and payment

A name change on your Colorado driver's license costs $20. This is a separate fee from any renewal fee if your license is also expiring. If you are going in person, most DMV offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. If you are mailing your process, send a check or money order made out to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you are processing online, you will pay the fee with a credit or debit card at the time you submit your process. The fee is non-refundable if you withdraw your process after payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to renew my license at the same time I change my name?

No. A name change is separate from renewal. Your license will keep its current expiration date. If your license is expiring soon, you can renew it at the same time you change your name, but you will pay both fees. You can also change your name now and renew later when your license actually expires.

What if I lost my certified copy of my marriage certificate or divorce decree?

Contact the county clerk's office where you were married or divorced and request a new certified copy. If the event happened in Colorado, you can also contact the Colorado Department of Vital Statistics. There is usually a small fee for a certified copy, and it can take one to two weeks to arrive by mail.

Can I change my name on my license if I do not have a current Colorado driver's license?

If you have a Colorado ID card instead of a driver's license, you can change the name on that the same way. If you have neither a Colorado license nor an ID card, you will need to go in person to a DMV office. Bring your certified legal document and proof of identity (such as a passport) and ask about getting a new license or ID card with your new name at the same time.

What if my name change document is from another state?

A certified copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order from another state is acceptable to the Colorado DMV. Make sure it is a certified copy with an official seal or stamp. If you are unsure whether your document meets Colorado's requirements, contact the DMV before you submit your process.

How long does my new license stay valid after a name change?

Your new license has the same expiration date as your old one. The name change does not extend or shorten how long your license is valid. When your license expires, you will renew it at that time.