Name Change

This post will cover Name Changes in the State of Colorad.  (Please note state agency procedures are ONLY for the state of Colorado.  Please refer to your state laws and procedures if you reside in another state.)

Colorado Name Change
When you begin transition, this is one of the FIRST things that you should do upon receiving a diagnosis of gender identity disorder/gender dysphoria.

http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado?app=00075&view=full&interface=1&docinfo=off&searchtype=get&search=C.R.S.+13-15-101

http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado?app=00075&view=full&interface=1&docinfo=off&searchtype=get&search=C.R.S.+13-15-102

The court requires a fingerprint - based criminal history record check, from both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) , be conducted within 90 days prior to filing the petition.

Fingerprinting You must submit a criminal history check from the FBI and CBI at the time the petition is filed . Here’s how to get those done : • Contact your local law enforcement office to be fingerprinted . Be sure to inquire about the cost of finger printing and fingerprint cards.

FBI Background Check Application

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

FBI Standard Fingerprint Card

https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/standard-fingerprint-form-fd-258-1.pdf

Do not submit personal checks, business checks or cash as a form of payment.

CBI Background Check

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cbi/employment-background-checks# (Scroll down to Legal Name Change)

Please do not submit your fingerprint card to CBI for processing until you have received your results from the fingerprint check though the FBI.  Please check with the FBI for their current processing date.  The response letter from FBI & CBI are only good for 90 days (court rules) and if you have not received the FBI response and your Colorado letter expires, you will need to submit another fingerprint card and fee to CBI and receive a new letter. Currently CBI is processing a fingerprint card in less than 2 weeks.

NOTE - CBI does not have an additional form for porcessing.  All information needed is on the comleted fingeprint card.

FEE: $16.50 - Colorado fingerprint based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) search For an individual or private agency. Nationwide (FBI) checks must be submitted directly to the FBI by the individual(s). Use the FBI link on the navigation bar on the left side of the web page for information about how to request a background search through the FBI.

Fingerprint based Criminal History Record Information search:

Type information or print legibly in BLACK ink.

All fingerprint CHRI search cards must be filled out completely with the following information in the corresponding fields:

• Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Sex, Race, Height, Weight, Eyes, Hair (Please use 3 letters abbreviations for eyes and hair – Ex: Brown = Bro, Blue = Blu)
• CTZ - Fee (Amount listed at the top of the page) must be paid by Money Order or other Certified Funds Check. (Make check payable to Colorado Bureau of Investigation.) Personal checks are not accepted.
• OCA – CONCJ3975
• Employer and Address - Complete mailing address of either the Petitioner or the Petitioner’s Attorney. Do not list place of employment. unless you want the response mailed to your employer *** See Additional Information
• Reason Fingerprinted - Legal Name Change CRS 13-15-101

If any of the above information is missing or incomplete, the request will be returned.

*** Additional Information: Per CRS 13-15-101 “for persons fourteen years of age or older, the results of certified fingerprint-based criminal history record checks are conducted.”

"You will see a box labeled “Reason Fingerprinted” on the card in the upper left hand corner. Make sure to complete that box with the following : “ §13-15-101 Legal Name Change” 

You can also contact customer service at 303 - 239 - 4208. 

Mail (or deliver) the above items to the CBI at: 

Colorado Bureau of Investigation 

690 Kipling Street Suite 3000 

Lakewood , CO 80215

Colorado Name Change Form 

https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%20432%20Instructions%20for%20Name%20Change%20-%20Adult%20R8-2016%20(FINAL).pdf

Court Motion JD 432 for Legal Name Change: Age 18-69 (This is the petition you file with the court)

JDF 432 - Instructions for Filing a Change of Name - Adult

JDF 426 - Order For Publication for Change of Name (This is the Order the Judge will sign)

https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%20426%20Order%20for%20Publication%20for%20Change%20of%20NameR8-2016.pdf

JDF 448 - Final Decree for Change of Name

https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%20448-Final%20Decree%20for%20Change%20of%20Name.R7-11.pdf

(I will have some completed examples filled out in a week or so to show how these should be filled out prior to submitting them to the Court). 

•If necessary, please write your name, home address, and date of birth clearly on the fingerprint card . If the agency completing the fingerprints uses an electronic print system, please do not write on the cards as the agency will automatically input the information .

Timing for Background Checks Best practice : 

• First, call the FBI to see how long their processing is taking . 

• Second, approximately one week before the FBI is expected to be done, submit the CBI background check. 

Remember: The criminal history results must be conducted within 90 days prior to the filing of the petition.

FBI Information The FBI requires: 

1. Criminal History application form I - 783.

2. Completed finger print card. 

3. Payment (money order, certified check, or credit card).

If paying by credit card use form I-786 Instructions and information are located here . 

You can also contact customer service at 304 - 625 - 5590. 

Mail the above items to the FBI at :

Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division 

Attn : SCU, Mod. D - 2 

1000 Custer Hollow Road 

Clarksburg , WV 26306