Changing Legal Name and Legal Sex

Changing your name legally in the State of Ohio requires a court order, newspaper advertisement, and court hearing.

1. Probate Court Order

You must file your name change application in the Probate Court for the county you live in. You must have been a resident of that county for at least sixty days before you can file. For instructions on filing for a name change in Franklin County, the county probate court offers a guide on Adult Name Change in Franklin County. If you are only a temporary resident of Franklin County but have your permanent address in a different county, you will need to go to probate court in the county of your permanent address. Equitas Health provides a directory of requirements per county in Ohio.

For those in Franklin County, you will need to:

1. Complete an Application for Change of Name

2. Get your completed application notarized

3. File your notarized application along with (1) a photocopy of birth certificate or birth record and (2) a photocopy of government issued identification

4. Pay filing fee ($128)

2. Newspaper Advertisement

The State of Ohio requires you to advertise your application in a local newspaper at least 30 days before the hearing on your application. The court will provide additional details once you submit your application.

3. Hearing in Court

You will be provided notice of a date for your hearing at which, after some questions to ensure that you have complied with the process, the judge will officially order your original name changed to your new name. The court order obtained after this decision can be used to change a number of records (financial, etc.).

For additional information, please refer to the Ohio Revised Code 2717.01, which addresses acquiring a legal name change.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) allows individuals to change their name using a written court order. The BMV will also allow individuals to change the gender marker on their driver’s license with the written authorization of a qualified professional.

Name Change

To update your name on your Ohio driver’s license or Ohio ID card, take both of the following to any local BMV license agency:

1. Your current driver’s license or ID card; and

2. A certified copy of the court order approving your name change.

The BMV should issue you a new license or ID card with your updated name. At this time, you may also update your name on your voter registration.

Gender Marker Change

To update your gender marker on your Ohio driver’s license or ID card, complete these steps:

Complete the Declaration of Gender Change Form

1. Download the Declaration of Gender Change. Fill out the sections labeled “To Be Completed by Applicant” and “Release of Information.”

2. The form will also need signed by a physician, psychologist, therapist, nurse practitioner, or social worker who is licensed to practice in the United States that certifies the gender identity of the applicant.

Submission

Mail or fax your completed Declaration of Gender Change form to the BMV.

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Attn: License Control
PO Box 16784
Columbus, OH 43216-6784
Phone: 1-614-752-7500/Fax: 1-614-752-7987 P

In 7-10 days, you will be notified by letter if the gender change is approved, and you will receive a document that may be presented to any local BMV license agency.

License Re-Issue

Once you receive the letter, take the following documents to any local BMV license agency:

1. Your current driver’s license or ID card; and

2. Declaration of Gender Change approval letter.

The BMV should issue you a new license or ID card with your updated gender marker. (Be prepared to take a new photo!) Also, note that your old driver’s license/ID must be surrendered.

Name Change

Present a certified copy of the court order recognizing your name change to the Ohio Department of Health’s Office of Vital Statistics, and request a new birth certificate.

Sex Marker Change

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has established new procedures that allow transgender people to correct the legal sex marker on Ohio birth certificates. This process is called a court-ordered correction of a birth record.

What is the process for correcting the sex marker on an Ohio birth certificate?

1. Complete and file an Application for Correction of Birth Record

2. File your completed application along with (1) a certified copy of your birth certificate and (2) a photocopy of government issued identification

3. Pay filing fee

4. Obtain an order from a probate court for a correction of their birth certificate.

   • The required court order can be issued by a probate court in Ohio, or a court in the state where the person resides.

   • A person may also request a court order approving a name change at the same time and in the same court where they seek correction of their legal sex marker. Additional requirements for a name change are set forth in Ohio’s laws.

5. Once the birth certificate sex marker correction is approved by a probate court, the probate court will automatically send its order to ODH, and ODH will automatically perform the correction.
   
   
6. ODH will seal the old birth certificate when it receives the probate court’s order, and the prior (i.e. uncorrected) birth certificate will not be accessible to anyone except the applicant. ODH will issue a new, corrected birth certificate, and it will not be evident that there has been any change.