The following are common questions that
have often been posed to our office:
What are the Requirements
for Changing a Name? back to top
A person desiring to change his or her name
must be a resident of the county for at least one year prior to
the filing of an application.
Where do I File a
Change of Name? back to top
Applications must be filed in the probate court
in the county in which the applicant resides.
What is the Procedure
for Changing a Name? back to top
- Obtain appropriate forms from probate court.
Complete the forms and file with the probate court and pay court
costs. At the time of filing, a hearing date is assigned.
- The Court will place the required legal ad
in a paper of general circulation in Shelby County at least
thirty (30) days prior to the hearing. Proof of such publication
will be sent to the Court by the newspaper, along with a bill
for the publication costs. You must pay those costs in full
on the day of the hearing.
- A certified copy of the birth certificate
shall be presented to the probate court with the application.
If the court is satisfied that reasonable and
proper cause exists for the change of name, the court will approve
the change of name at the hearing in the absence of fraud or other
misrepresentation by the applicant.
How Does One File
an Application On Behalf of a Minor? back to
top
When the application is made on behalf of a
minor under eighteen (18) years of age, the application must be
made by one of the natural parents, legal guardian, or guardian
ad litem. The consent of both living legal parents in writing
must be filed with the application. Failure to obtain consent
will necessitate a formal hearing with notice sent by the applicant
to the non-consenting parent by certified mail. Proof of service
must be later filed with the Court.
How Do I Correct
Records After the Court Hearing ? back to top
Where the applicant seeking a legal change of
name was born in the State of Ohio, the Court will send a certified
copy of the probate court order legally changing his or her name
to the Ohio Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics.
The applicant must then send a request to Vital Statistics for
a certified copy of his/her birth certificate. The applicant will
receive an amendment to the certificate containing the new name
and a statement that their records have been corrected. The present
charge for obtaining the certificate is $15.00.
What Forms Will I
Need? back to top
Application forms for change of names, registering
and correcting birth certificates may be obtained from the Probate
Court.
Click here
to access forms to Change the Name of an Adult
Click here
to access forms to Change the Name of a Minor
What are the Costs
of Changing a Name? back to top
The following is a list of present ordinary
costs. It is recommended that the cost be verified before submitting
any payment
Copy of birth certificate from the Department
of Health $16.50
Application to change name $169.00 plus publication
costs due in excess of deposit
