Changing Your Name in Ohio
How adults change their legal name in Ohio: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: File an application in the probate court of the county where you live, after living in the county at least 60 days. Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2717.02, 2717.03, 2717.06, 2717.08, 2717.09, 2717.11
| Legal name change | File an application in the probate court of the county where you live, after living in the county at least 60 days. The application states the reason and the new name and must be supported by an affidavit that it is not to evade creditors, that you are not in a pending bankruptcy, and that you have not been convicted of identity fraud and are not required to register as a sex offender. The court may hold a hearing and, if so, decides how notice must be given; notice is waived and the records are sealed if you show that publicity would endanger your safety. The court may order the change on proof of reasonable and proper cause. |
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| Changing your name after divorce | When a divorce is granted, the court will restore any name a spouse had before the marriage if that spouse asks. Source: Ohio Rev. Code 3105.16 |
Where to get help in Ohio
More Ohio divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Ohio
- Adopting a Child in Ohio
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Ohio
- Establishing Paternity in Ohio
- Child Custody Laws in Ohio
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Ohio
- Divorce Records in Ohio
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Ohio
- How to File for Divorce in Ohio
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Ohio
- All Ohio divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in Ohio?
File an application in the probate court of the county where you live, after living in the county at least 60 days. The application states the reason and the new name and must be supported by an affidavit that it is not to evade creditors, that you are not in a pending bankruptcy, and that you have not been convicted of identity fraud and are not required to register as a sex offender. The court may hold a hearing and, if so, decides how notice must be given; notice is waived and the records are sealed if you show that publicity would endanger your safety. The court may order the change on proof of reasonable and proper cause.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Ohio?
When a divorce is granted, the court will restore any name a spouse had before the marriage if that spouse asks.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.