How do I legally change my name in Ohio?

Q: How do I legally change my name in Ohio?

Ohio adult name changes are governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2717.01 and handled in the probate court of the county of residence. 1. File the Application - Complete Standard Probate Form 21.0 (Application for Change of Name of Adult). - File with the probate court ; filing fee is approximately $145 (Franklin County: $134; Cuyahoga: $150; Hamilton: $145). - Residency : must have lived in the county at least 60 days before filing (ORC § 2717.01(A)). 2. Notice Publication - Publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least 30 days before the hearing date (ORC § 2717.01(A)). - Cost typically $50–$150. - Publication waiver : ORC § 2717.011 allows waiver where publication would jeopardize the applicant's safety (domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking). 3. Hearing - Brief hearing in probate court. Many courts grant uncontested adult petitions on papers if all requirements are met. - Judge enters a Judgment Entry — Change of Name . 4. After the Decree - Order certified copies ($1–$5 each). - File SSA Form SS-5 (free). - Update Ohio DL/ID at BMV ($26.75), passport, voter registration, banks, employer. 5. Gender-Marker Name Change - After a 2020 federal court order ( Ray v. McCloud ), Ohio allows birth-certificate gender marker changes; the name change petition can be paired with that process. 6. Divorce-Based Restoration - ORC § 3105.16 allows restoration of a prior surname in the divorce decree without a separate name-change action. This is legal information, not legal advice.

Question

Accepted Answer

Ohio adult name changes are governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2717.01 and handled in the probate court of the county of residence.

1. File the Application

Complete Standard Probate Form 21.0 (Application for Change of Name of Adult).

File with the probate court; filing fee is approximately $145 (Franklin County: $134; Cuyahoga: $150; Hamilton: $145).

Residency: must have lived in the county at least 60 days before filing (ORC § 2717.01(A)).

2. Notice Publication

Publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least 30 days before the hearing date (ORC § 2717.01(A)).

Cost typically $50–$150.

Publication waiver: ORC § 2717.011 allows waiver where publication would jeopardize the applicant's safety (domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking).

3. Hearing

Brief hearing in probate court. Many courts grant uncontested adult petitions on papers if all requirements are met.

Judge enters a Judgment Entry — Change of Name.

4. After the Decree

Order certified copies ($1–$5 each).

File SSA Form SS-5 (free).

Update Ohio DL/ID at BMV ($26.75), passport, voter registration, banks, employer.

5. Gender-Marker Name Change

After a 2020 federal court order (Ray v. McCloud), Ohio allows birth-certificate gender marker changes; the name change petition can be paired with that process.

6. Divorce-Based Restoration

ORC § 3105.16 allows restoration of a prior surname in the divorce decree without a separate name-change action.

This is legal information, not legal advice.