Name Change of Adults in Hamilton County, OH

Leah Stegman • July 17, 2026

Divorced and Need to Change your Name?


At the time of your dissolution or divorce, your Decree of Dissolution or Decree of Divorce can include a statement that restores you to any former name you have had previously.


If your name was not changed at the time of your divorce, but you wish to change your name later, the following steps must be taken in Hamilton County, Ohio.


Beth Silverman & Associates can assist you in requesting a name change after a divorce, or for any other reason. However, as a service to you, we offer the following guidance if you want to take care of this on your own, without an attorney.


I.  Paperwork


  • You will need a Certified copy of your Birth Certificate
  • Forms Needed:

1.   270.01 Self Representation Form


2.   21.00 Application for change of Name of Adult


3.   21.01 Affidavit in Support of Application for Name Change of Adult

  • https://www.probatect.org/forms/download/form/21.01
    -This form is to certify that you meet the requirements for a name change, and that you are not changing your name with intent to commit fraud.
    -You must WAIT to sign this form until you are in front of the Clerk at Court, or in the presence of a Notary Public.


4.   121.12 Entry Dispensing with Hearing on Application to Change Name


a) If the Court decides to require a hearing, you will need the following two forms:


b) We recommend filling out these forms and bringing them with you to the Court as a precaution.


5.   21.10 Judgment Entry – Change of Name of Adult

 


II.  Magistrate’s Review of Paperwork


  • You will take the forms to the Magistrates’ assistant at the Probate Court located on the 9th Floor at 230 East 9th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
  • The assistant will give the forms to the on-duty Magistrate for review.
  • Once the forms have been reviewed, the assistant will give them back to you for filing with the Clerk.
  • If a hearing is required, the Magistrate or assistant will schedule the hearing with you when they give you the forms back.



III.  Filing


  • Take the forms to the Cashier at court, who will file them and take payment.

  • Fees
  • The Base Fee for filing the name change is $150.00.
  • You will need at least 3 certified copies of the order to be submitted to the agencies listed in #4 below. These will cost around $1.10 each, depending on the number of pages.
  • You may want to request additional certified copies depending on the requirements of other institutions that you want to update your name with (ex. Financial accounts, employer, school, etc.)
  • The Court may use its discretion to require publication of Notice of the name change. If this occurs, an additional $30.00 will be charged, and you will be required to wait for a period of at least 30 days.

  • Payment Methods
  • The Court accepts ONLY the following forms of payment:
  • Cash
  • Credit Card
  • Certified Check made payable to “Probate Court”

  • If the hearing has been waived and your name change granted, you can now request from the Clerk the 3+ certified copies of the Judgment Entry.
  • The cost for these copies will be included in the payment required by the Clerk.
  • Court-stamped copies of all filed forms will be returned to you by the Clerk after payment.

  • If a hearing is required, you must wait to request certified copies.
  • The Clerk will give you stamped copies of all forms except the Notice of Hearing, and the copy of the Judgment Entry you receive back will be unsigned.
  • You must bring the unsigned Judgment Entry with you to the hearing.
  • During the hearing, if your name change is granted, the Magistrate will sign the Judgment Entry and you will bring the signed copy back to the Clerk for official filing.
  • At that time, the Clerk will give you a signed and stamped copy of the Judgment Entry for your records.
  • You will also request the 3+ certified copies of the Judgment Entry at this time, and payment for them will be required.



IV.  Send Certified Copies


You must send a certified copy of the Judgment Entry – Change of Name to:


  • The Bureau of Vital Statistics of the state in which you were born:
    If you were born in Ohio*
  • Send the following:
  • Copy of your original birth certificate
  • Your current contact information (address, phone, email)
  • Certified copy of the Judgment Entry – Change of Name
  • Mail to:
    Ohio Department of Health
    Bureau of Vital Statistics
    P.O. Box 15098
    Columbus, Ohio 43215
  • Allow 4-6 weeks for the Bureau to process your name change.
  • Then go to your local health department office to get a copy of your new birth certificate.
  • Copies will cost $21.50 each.
  • See https://odh.ohio.gov/find-local-health-districts to find your local district office.


*If you were born in another state, look on their Vital Statistics website to find out how to process the name change and request new birth certificate.



  • The Bureau of Motor Vehicles
    You will need the following documents:
  • Your original birth certificate
  • Certified copy of the Judgment Entry – Change of Name
  • A fully typed document showing your full Social Security Number (SS Card, W-2, 1099, or Paystub)*
  • 2 fully typed documents proving Ohio address *
  • If you are bringing W-2, 1099, or Paystub for SSN, these can also count as 1 of the 2 proof of address documents.
  • Other common acceptable proof of address documents, if less than 12 months old:
  • Bank statement
  • Credit Card Statement
  • Utility Bill
  • Tax Return
  • Home/Renter’s/Auto insurance policy or card


*For full list of acceptable documents, see this link:
https://bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov/bmvonline/Home/documents/compliantdocuments



V.  Update Accounts


You will want to update your other accounts with your new name.


  • For example: Financial institutions, Schools, Employers, Healthcare providers, Passport, etc.
    Contact each organization to find out if they require certified copies of the Judgment Entry or not.
  • You can always obtain additional certified copies of the Judgment Entry – Change of Name from the Probate Court for a nominal fee.