To obtain a legal name change in Ohio, an applicant must submit a petition to the court. At least 30 days before the hearing, the applicant must publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper, though publication requirements can be waived for the applicant’s personal safety. Depending on the nature of the offense, applicants with prior criminal convictions may not be eligible for a name change. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2717.01).
For step-by-step guides on the name and gender changes for adults and minors in Ohio as well as county specific information, see Equitas Health Name & Gender Change Info.
For information on legal name changes for minors under 18 in Ohio, see NCTE's Name Changes for Minors in Ohio resource.