Does a Health Insurer in Colorado Have to Use the Name on My Drivers License?

Full question:

I have been using my initials as my legal name for the past 30 years. My social security card has this name on it but my drivers license has my full name including my maiden name on it. Recently when I visited a health clinic they proceeded to put my full name on my registration. I have not used this name in 30 yrs. My health insurance card also has only my initials and my last name. They refused to change it back to the way I have used at their clinic for the past 10 yrs. They said it was a new law and they had to use what was on my drivers license. Is this true? If so how do I go about legally changing my drivers license to match my social security card and all of my documents.

• Category: Name Change
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Colorado

Answer:

We are unable to locate a state statute on identification for insurance purposes, but it may by an agecy regulation or other local law. We suggest you contact the Colorado Health Care Policy and Financing Department at the following link to inquire about identification rules:

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/HCPF/HCPF/1197969485469

If you get a legal name change, you can use the name change order to change personal identification such as a driver's license. Here is a summary of the law in Colorado:

Name Change Action Allowed: In Colorado, a person may change their name by filing an action in the District or County Court in the county of the petitioner's residence with appropriate forms.

Who is an adult? A person who has attained the age of 18 years is considered an adult.

Who is an minor? A person who has not attained the age of 18 years is considered an minor.

Is there any reason why a person might not be allowed to change his or her name? Yes. The court must find that the requested name change is proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person. A person is not allowed to change their name in order to avoid judgments or legal actions against him or her, or to avoid debts and obligations. A person can not change their name to defraud any person.

Requirements for Name Change Order: For an order of name change to be granted, the court must find the change proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person. A change of name upon marriage, dissolution, or divorce meets these requirements.

Is Publication of a Notice of the Petition Required? No. But, if the Petition is granted, the Petitoner is required to publish the change of name 3 times in a newspaper within the county where the Petitioner resides.

Can individuals "object" to my Petition for Name Change? Yes. Any reasonable objections made to the court may influence the court's findings as to whether the change of name is proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person.

Procedures: The name change process begins with the filing of a Petition for Name Change in the District or County Court where the Petitioner resides. The Petition sets forth the Petitioner's full name, the name the Petitioner wishes to assume, and a concise statement of the reasons for the requested name change. If the Court is satisfied that the name change is proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person, the Petition will be approved. The court will then issue an Order approving the name change.

The Petitioner then must give public notice of the name change by publishing the Order for Change of Name three times in a newspaper within the county of their residence.