RC 2717.03 states that a person desiring a name change may file an application in the county in which they have been a bona fide resident for 60 days prior to filing.

Once all the necessary documents are filed with the Court, a hearing date will be scheduled.  The Applicant must publish a legal notice of the application in a newspaper of general circulation in this county, one time at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing date.  Publication will not be required if the Applicant satisfactorily proves that publication would jeopardize the Applicant’s personal safety.

If the required publication is not completed at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing, the name change cannot be granted and re-publication will be required at additional cost and delay to the Applicant.

The Court does not provide new birth certificates.  If the birth occurred in Ohio, the Court will forward to the Ohio Bureau of Vital Statistics a copy of the Judgment Entry approving the name change, unless the name change is simply restoring the Applicant’s birth name (i.e. following a divorce, dissolution or a spouse’s death) or the Applicant does not want a change to the birth certificate.  The Bureau does not issue a new Certificate of Live Birth (commonly referred to as a birth certificate); upon request within approximately 90 days following receipt of Judgment Entry, the Bureau will issue a “Certificate of Birth” in the new name and with a footnote observing referencing that the legal name change is on file. 

 If there are questions about the new Certificate of Birth contact may be made with the following office:

Bureau of Vital Statistics
225 Neilston St.
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH  43215
614-466-2531(Monday – Friday)

Items necessary to file a Name Change for an Adult:

  • Applicant must be a Delaware County resident for at least 60 days prior to filing;
  • Copy of Driver’s License or Government issued picture ID of the Applicant;
  • A certified copy of the Applicant’s “book copy” birth certificate containing the city and county of birth, not simply a birth abstract (the “book copy” birth certificate has the additional information required for these proceedings);
  • The base court cost deposit paid to the Court is one hundred and four dollars ($104.00), and the publication cost is paid by the Applicant directly to the newspaper in a form acceptable to it;
  • Documentary proof relating to any changes in the Applicant’s name that have occurred that reflect names different than that appearing on the birth certificate (marriage certificates, divorce decrees, prior name change orders, etc); and
  • Complete the Probate Forms listed below.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

An adult resident, who has lived in Delaware County, Ohio for at least 60 days, may apply to the Probate Court for a change of name.

Ohio law permits an adult to apply to the Probate Court for a name change.  The filing must be made in person.  After the filing of the paperwork the Court will set a hearing date, generally 60 days after the filing.  At least thirty (30) days prior to the date of hearing, the Applicant must publish a Notice of Hearing, one time in a paper of general circulation in Delaware County, Ohio (Unless it is proven to the Court that publication would jeopardize the Applicant’s personal safety).  The Applicant must assure that proof of the publication from the newspaper is filed with the Court before the hearing.  The Applicant must establish a reasonable and proper reason for seeking the name change.

Any newspaper with a general circulation within Delaware County may be used for the publication of the notice.  Two of those newspapers are:

The Columbus Dispatch
34 S. Third St.
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 461-5019

The Delaware Gazette
40 N. Sandusky St., Suite 202
Delaware, OH 43015
(740) 363-1161

The Court does not establish the rates charged by a selected newspaper for publishing the required notice.

The names of an adult may not be changed for an individual who has been plead guilty to, convicted of, or been adjudicated delinquent because of, an identity fraud offense, or a sexual offense that resulted in the individual being required to register as a sexual offender.

The Court will consider evidence from the Applicant and any credible witnesses at the hearing to establish that reasonable and proper cause exists to change the name.

With the filing of the initial application, the Court requires that a photo identification of the Applicant be presented and a certified copy of the Applicant’s “book copy” birth record provided. If the name has been previously changed, then a certified copy of that supporting documentation will also be required.  The Deputy Clerk will photocopy the original documents, and return the originals to the Applicant.

If there is a variation between the name on the birth certificate and the name being changed, the Court requires that satisfactory documentary evidence be provided to explain the difference.

The Applicant will be required to pay the $104.00 court cost deposit when the filing is made.  The Applicant is responsible for pre-paying to the newspaper the publishing costs for the Notice of Hearing.  On the day of the hearing, if the change is approved, the Court provides the Applicant with two certified copies of the Court’s Judgment Entry changing the name.  If additional certified copies are requested, the Court’s additional charge for those copies must be paid.

The Court does not provide new birth certificates.  If the birth occurred in Ohio, the Court will forward to the Ohio Bureau of Vital Statistics a copy of the Judgment Entry approving the name change, unless the Applicant is not seeking a change in the birth name.  The Bureau does not issue a new Certificate of Live Birth (commonly referred to as a birth certificate); but, upon request the Bureau will issue a “Certificate of Birth” in the new name with a footnote that recites individual’s name results from a legal name change proceeding.  It generally takes the Bureau 90 days to process the name change documentation.  If there are questions about the new Certificate of Birth contact may be made with the following office:

Bureau of Vital Statistics
225 Neilston St.

P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH  43215
614-466-2531(Monday – Friday)

Persons born outside Ohio are responsible for providing a copy of the Court’s Judgment Entry to the appropriate agency in the state of birth, if they are seeking a change in their birth name.

After the name change is approved, the Applicant should promptly give notice that the name has been changed to financial institutions, motor vehicle bureaus, licensing agencies, employer human resources departments, educational institutions, the social security administration, and creditors.  Doing so will prevent delay when the entity is later requested to pay a benefit, release a deposit, reissue a license, confirm a degree, or extend credit. Doing so while living in the vicinity of the Court facilitates obtaining additional copies of the Judgment Entry, if that is required as part of the notification process.

The Court has the discretion to disapprove the change of name when it determines the change is being sought for purposes of fraud or deception, and when it is determined that the change is against public policy.

Many persons can complete the name change process without an attorney.  An attorney may be helpful in assembling the legal documents necessary to establish the identity of the Applicant who may be involved with a foreign birth and/or adoption.

Deputy Clerks of the Probate Court are prohibited by Ohio law from assisting in the preparation of the required forms.

Adult Name Change Forms