The Application for Change of Name of Adult is the principal required form. Among other information, it requires you to state why you are changing your name, and what you would like your new name to be. The Ohio Supreme Court offers this form, and all others needed in the process, but some counties will offer their own name change forms; either are acceptable.

Name change applications are handled by the probate court in the county where you reside. You must have been a resident for at least 60 days before applying.^[3]

Background checks for name change applications are not required by state law, the probate court does have the authority to require one.^[4] The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation handles background checks. Fingerprinting and other requirements can be handled by one of the approved agencies chosen by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

When requesting a background check, stipulate that, once the background check has been conducted, the agency send the results to the probate court where you are filing.

The Judgment Entry Form will be the order that authorizes your name change. Applicants should complete all but the following fields (they will be filled in later by the court clerk and/or the judge):

• Hearing date
• Judge signature
• Deputy Clerk
• Date

Next, have someone you know fill out the Affidavit in Support of Application for Change of Name of Adult. The affidavit must be filled out by an adult resident of Ohio who can testify to aspects of your application.^[5] The person (known as “the affiant”) should be able to verify that:

• You are not applying in order to deceive or defraud others
• You have been a resident of the county for at least 60 days
• You are not currently in bankruptcy proceedings
• You have not been convicted of certain crimes
• And you are not required to register as a sex offender

The affiant must sign this form in front of a notary.

Once you have the completed Application for Change of Name of Adult, Judgment Entry Form, Affidavit, and any other forms that may be required by your county, file them with the clerk in the probate court.

Bring a form of photo identification, a copy of your birth certificate, proof of residency, and the filing fee, which varies by county.

Under Ohio statute, courts decide whether or not a hearing is required for a name change application, and if there is to be a hearing, the kind of notice that is required.^[6] If the court decides a hearing is required, it will also typically require you to publish a notice of their name change application and the coming hearing with a newspaper in the county at least 30 days before the hearing date.

If a hearing is required, the applicant will fill out a Notice of Hearing on Change of Name, which the court will send notice to a newspaper of record in the county. However, if the applicant can provide proof that publishing notice of the hearing will endanger their safety, they can ask their court to waive the notice requirement — and, potentially, place the proceeding under seal — by filing an Application to Waive Publication and Seal File.

If a hearing is not required, you will receive your completed Judgment Entry Form by mail. If a hearing is required, you will be notified of the time and date by mail.

Depending on your county of residence, the hearing may take place in person, or using electronically via videoconference. At the hearing, a judge or magistrate will make sure you are changing your name for legitimate reasons.

If they deem it a lawful change, they will sign the Judgment Entry Form. Once signed, it becomes a court order that serves as legal proof of your name change and can be used to change your name on other documents.