Legal Change of Name

A person desiring to change his or her name must be a resident of the county for at least sixty days prior to the filing of an application.

Applications must be filed in the probate court in the county in which the applicant resides.

  • Obtain appropriate forms from the probate court. Complete the forms and file with the probate court and pay court costs. At the time of filing, a case number and hearing date are assigned.
  • If a hearing is required, you must place the required legal ad in a paper of general circulation in Stark County at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing. Proof of such publication shall be filed by you at the time of the hearing, unless waived by the Court.
  • 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.

When the application is made on behalf of a minor under eighteen (18) years of age, publication and application must be made by one of the natural parents, legal guardian, or guardian ad litem, unless waived by the Court. 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 to the non-consenting parent by certified mail.

Where the applicant seeking a legal change of name was born in the State of Ohio, the applicant must send a certified copy of his or her original birth certificate and 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 will receive an amendment to the certificate containing the new name and a statement that their records have been corrected. 

Forms & Costs

NAME CHANGE APPLICATION INFORMATION

Please review the packet of documents you have received from the clerk. The clerk is not an attorney and cannot answer questions about your name change. It is required by law that you be a resident of Stark County for at least sixty continuous days before you file your packet. If you have not lived in Stark County for at least sixty days, your application will be dismissed and your filing fees will not be refunded.

BUSINESS IN THIS COURT SHALL BE CONDUCTED ON A CASH BASIS

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 correct and completed. If you have questions as to how to obtain legal notice, you should consult with your 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 should consult with an attorney.

The papers you file must be typed or written in ink and must be legible. Illegible documents will be refused for filing. 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.

ONCE A NAME CHANGE APPLICATION HAS BEEN FILED,
THERE WILL BE NO COURT COST REFUNDS

Application forms for change of names, registering and correcting birth certificates may be obtained from the Probate Court.

Forms required to Change the Name of an Adult

  • 21.0
  • 21.01
  • 21.03
  • 21.13
  • 21.5

Forms required to Change the Name of a Minor

  • 21.2
  • 21.02
  • 21.03
  • 21.4
  • 21.5

There forms are available in the Forms section of the web site.

The following is the present ordinary cost. It is recommended that the cost be verified before submitting any payment.

  • Application to change name: $99.00 ==> (Cash or Certified Check Only)