Courthouse

Ross County Court of Common Pleas
Probate Division

2 N. Paint St, Suite A
Chillicothe, OH  45601

Phone (740) 774-1179                   Fax (740) 774-3711

Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m.
Closed on all legal holidays

 


Change of Name / Name Conformity / Birth Correction
 

Name Change, Name Conformity or Birth Certificate Correction:
Which process is right for my situation?

If the situation regarding your name is not referenced in one of these sections, you should contact the Probate Court or an Attorney before commencing any legal action regarding your name. The situations described that Probate Court cannot correct are generally matters outside of Probate Court’s jurisdiction. It is recommended that you contact the Ohio Department of Health or an Attorney to assist you in these types of situations. 

 
All forms must be typewritten, filled out completely and signed ONLY in blue ink.
Ohio Supreme Court Probate Forms
ONCE AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN FILED, THERE WILL BE NO REFUND OF COURT COSTS
If you are looking for Name Conformity or Birth Correction, click here:
NAME CONFORMITY
BIRTH CORRECTION
 
Minor Name Change Instructions

If you are attempting to change the name of a minor, the parents of the minor, including an alleged father, must consent to the name change or receive legal notice of the name change. The parent or alleged father must receive legal notice regardless of the amount of contact with the child or the amount of support paid. You must also publish the name change in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. It is your responsibility to make sure that the legal notice is completed. If you have questions as to how to obtain legal notice, you should consult with an attorney.

In a minor name change, if a parent does not consent, the applicant must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the name of the minor should be changed. This may require witnesses and evidence to be presented at a hearing. If you have any questions as to how to present your case, you could consult with an attorney.

All names must be complete. Use middle names instead of middle initials. Incorrect spellings may result in additional costs to you as well as a delay in the change of name.

                 
  1.   The minor must have been a resident of Ross County for at least sixty (60) days prior to filing the application to change his/her name.    
  2.   All forms must be typewritten.        
  3.   A deposit of $99.00 is required at the time of filing. This fee must be paid in cash or by a credit card. Additional costs may be required on the date of       your hearing. Please confirm the amount with the clerk since filing fees may have changed.
  4.   A copy of the minor's birth certificate is required at the initial filing.        
  5.   A minor (anyone under the age of eighteen [18] years) cannot apply to change his/her name. The applicant must be an adult (parent, guardian, etc).
  6.   The consent of the mother and father is required. The consent must be signed in the presence of a notary public.        
  7.   You must publish a notice of the application to change the minor's name in the following newspaper: Chillicothe Gazette    
  8.  The notice must be published at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the hearing. The hearing date will be assigned by the Court at the time of filing. A proof       of publication must be presented to the Court before the hearing (this proof is obtained from the newspaper in which your notice was published.) You are       responsible for taking the notice to the newspaper and for any payment of costs owed to the newspaper.
  9.   If one of the parents cannot be located to sign the required consent, that parent must be notified by certified mail and if the address of that parent is unknown,       notice by publication directed to that parent must be published in the above newspaper. The applicant is responsible for putting this notice in the paper and       paying the costs.
  10. It will be necessary for you to mail a certified copy of the judgment entry (a certified copy will be provided by the Court) to the
   

Bureau of Vital Statistics

               
    246 North High Street        
    P.O. Box 15098        
    Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098        
    It will become an addendum to your birth certificate.  This will not change your original birth certificate.        
                     
Minor Name Change Forms
                     
  21.2 Application for Change of Name of Minor        
  21.03Judgment Entry Setting Hearing and Ordering Notice Name Change  
  21.3 Judgment Entry - Change of Name of Minor        
  21.4 Consent to Change of Name          
  21.5 Notice of Hearing on Change of Name        
21.6A Application to Waive Publication Requirement and Seal File        
    Self-Representation Acknowledgement, if applicable (required if you are not using an attorney)      
    Name Change of Minor Checklist      

  Name Change Application Supplemental Affidavit        
  21.02 Affidavit in Support of Application for Change of Name of Minor      
 
Adult Change of Name Instructions
                     
  1. The minor must have been a resident of Ross County for at least sixty (60) days prior to the application to change his/her name.    
  2. All forms must be typewritten.        
  3. A deposit of $99.00 is required at the time of filing. This fee must be paid in cash or by credit card. Additional costs may be required on the date of your     hearing. Please confirm the amount with the clerk since filing fees may have changed.
           
       
Adult Change of Name Forms
 
                     
  21.0 Application for Change of Name of Adult      
  21.1 Judgment Entry - Change of Name of Adult      
  21.03Judgment Entry Setting Hearing and Ordering Notice Name Change            
  21.5 Notice of Hearing on Change of Name            
    Self-Representation Acknowledgement, if applicable (required if you are not using an attorney)      
    Name Change of Adult Checklist            
    Name Change Application Supplemental Affidavit          
  21.01Name Change Affidavit in Support of Application            
  21.6A Application to Waive Publication Requirement and Seal File          
                     
     
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