Changing Names in Ohio

The process of changing your or your child's legal name is straightforward:

• As your attorney, I will apply for a hearing.
• You must be a resident of the county for one year.
• You must have a legitimate reason for changing your name.
• You must pay a fee.  As an example, the fee for Cuyahoga County is $130.00.
• I will cause publication of your intent to change your name.
• We will attend the hearing together and tell the judge why you want this change, that you properly published your intention and that you paid your fee.

If this is a name change for a child, both parents must be notified and consent to the change.  There are provisions for situations where the father is unknown, refuses to respond or cannot be located.

(ORC 2717.01)