TN 10 (06-14)

PR 02720.007 Colorado

A. PR 14-100 Common-Law Marriage in the State of Colorado as Valid Name Change Reason

DATE: September 5, 2006

1. SYLLABUS

In the State of Colorado, to change one's name for SSA purposes due to common law marriage in Colorado, the Numberholder must present a court order name change.

2. OPINION

Issue

You requested have requested an opinion on whether in the state of Colorado a common law marriage that is not supported by any documentary proof of the marriage constitutes a legal basis for a name change. You have also asked whether a common law marriage supported by documentary proof, herein a "Certification of Common Law Marriage," is a legal basis for a name change.

Short Answer

A common law marriage is a legal basis for a name change in Colorado; however, the State requires a proof of name document to change an individual's name on an established record like a driver's license. Unlike a certified marriage certificate, the "Certification of Common Law Marriage" is not acceptable documentary proof of name in Colorado.

Facts

You provided us with a copy of a "Certification of Common Law Marriage," dated May 22, 2006, which was signed by both parties in front of a notary. You stated that the spouse, Rebecca (nee M~), wishes to use the affidavit as documentation of a legal name change.

Discussion

Under common law in Colorado, a person may change his or her name at will, without resort to legal proceedings, by merely adopting another name, provided the adoption is not made for a wrongful or fraudulent purpose. See In re K~, 537 P.2d 1085, 1086 (Colo. Ct. App. 1975). [1] Thus, we believe a common-law marriage would constitute a legal basis for a name change in Colorado. The State, however, requires a proof of name document in order to change the name on an established record. See What are Colorado's Identification Requirements?, http://www.revenue.state.co.us/mv_dir/wrap.asp?incl=faqdrli/faqdrli1 (last visited August 22, 2006).

Applicants for a Colorado driver's license or identification card are required to submit proof of age, name, and lawful presence. See id. (citing Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 42-2-107, 42-2-302 (2006)). Applicants must present two different documents. Id. One document must be from the proof of age/lawful presence list. Id. As pertinent here, if the applicant is changing the name on an established record, the second document may be any of the following documents from the proof of name list:

1. Certified marriage certificate;

2. Certified divorce decree;

3. Certified court order of name change;

4. Valid U.S. military ID;

5. Tribal identification card; or

6. Out-of-state issued photo driver's license or photo identification card expired one year or less.

An affidavit of common-law marriage is not included on the above list, and in an e-mail transmission, a representative of the State's Division of Motor Vehicles stated that the division does not recognize an affidavit of common-law marriage as proof of name. Thus, we believe the "Certification of Common Law Marriage" between Christopher and Rebecca is not acceptable documentary proof of name change in Colorado.

Conclusion

(1) A common-law marriage in the state of Colorado would constitute a legal basis for name change; however, the State requires a proof of name document.

(2) A signed affidavit attesting to a common-law marriage (e.g., "Certification of Common Law Marriage") is not acceptable documentary proof of name change in Colorado.

Deana R. Ertl-Lombardi
Regional Chief Counsel, Region VIII
By__________
Thomas H. Kraus
Assistant Regional Counsel


Footnotes:

[1]

It is more advantageous to the state, however, to have the statutory method of changing names followed. See id. Under Colorado's change of name statute, a person may file a petition with the district or county court. See Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-15-101(1)(a)(I) (2005). The court must order the name change to be made "if the court is satisfied that the desired change would be proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person." Id. § 13-15-101(2)(a) (2005).


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/1502720007
PR 02720.007 - Colorado - 06/17/2014
Batch run: 04/02/2018
Rev:06/17/2014