My question involves name change laws in the State of: CO
Live in Colorado with 18 year old high school senior son (who will be 19 end of April). He was born in Washington, has my maiden name as last name (was never married to biological father), and there is a child support agreement filed in Snohomish County, Washington. Bio dad has never paid child support, is non-locatable, and hasn't seen son since he was a year old. I am married now, and son uses my husband's (and really my son's only father) last name. Legally my son's last name is my maiden name.
Son is graduating high school in May and heading off to college. Running into issues where he's known as husband's last name but legally is mom's maiden name. He wants to change his last name legally.
Here's the question: Since he is currently under 19 and still a full time student, I believe the child support agreement is still in effect and therefore we woud be required to file the name change petition in Snohomish County Washington.
However, he has to submit fingerprints to the FBI (and do a colorado background check), and the FBI fingerprinting can take 8-12 weeks. In 8-12 weeks, he'll be close to or already 19, and if I am reading the laws correctly, he'd no longer be subject to the child support agreement and could just file for name change in Colorado.
Does my question make sense? I'm thinking we wait until he's 19.....does that seem like the easier option? I really don't want to file in Washington, his bio dad has had no contact for nearly 18 years......any advice?
And for what it's worth, my husband never pursued adoption because it just didn't seem necessary (only real dad my son knows, and bio dad has been completely absent).
Thanks!

