Name Change Info

• Who May Apply?
• How Do I Apply For a Minor name Change?
• What Is the Hearing Process?
• How Much Dose a Name Change Cost?

Who May Apply?

If you have been a Pickaway County resident for the past 12 months you may apply for an adult name change yourself, or a minor name change for your minor child. If a minor child is involved a copy of the child’s birth certificate is required. Once the application is made and court cost are paid, the Court will set the application for hearing. The applicant must publish the Notice of Hearing with the Circleville Herald 30 days prior to the hearing on the application.

How Do I Apply for a Minor Name Change?

The applicant for the name change of a minor must obtain the consent of the minor’s parents, or notice of hearing must be given to the non-consenting parent(s). Notice is usually given by Certified U.S. Mail (service is available at any local Post Office) with green card filed with the Court. Consent must be obtained or notice given to anyone who could be considered a parent of the child.

What is the Hearing Process?

Approximately forty-five (45) days after the Application For Name Change has been filed with the Court, a hearing will be held. The Judge will determine if all of the statutory requirements have been met and that there is a reasonable and proper cause to grant the requested name change. The Judge will make this determination based on the testimony at the hearing and the information submitted to the Court’s file.

If the name change is for a minor the Judge will also determine whether both parents have consented to the name change and whether the name change is in the best interest of the child. The consent of both parents is not always necessary for the approval of a name change for a minor but a Judge must decide, after reviewing all of the facts, that the name change is in the minor’s best interest and it is reasonable and proper to change the minor’s name.

Once the application is approved, the Court will provide the applicant with certified copies of the Judgement Entry Changing Name. The applicant should make a list of all creditor’s, agencies, schools, financial institutions, employers, and government offices that need to be informed of the new name. Making a list than notifying everyone on the list helps insure that everyone is informed of the name change. If the approved name change is substantially different from the name that is on the applicant’s birth certificate or is a minor, notice should be given to the Ohio Department of Health, Vital Statistics Division, if the person was born in Ohio, or equivalent agency in the state where the person was born. The Name Change Entry does not change an Ohio Birth Certificate, but appends to it and becomes a part if the person’s birth records if they were born in Ohio.

How Much Does a Name Change Cost?

Court cost for both adult and minor name changes are $89.00. The cost of publication is a separate fee to be paid directly to the Circleville Herald.