Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Ohio: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Ohio Probate Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
A name change to match gender identity in Ohio is filed in the County Probate Court, costs about $100–$175 (typical $150, varies by county), and requires a newspaper notice unless it's waived. Most cases finish in 6–10 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.
Your personalized plan
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
What it costs
Same county Probate Court filing fee as any adult petition; Ohio does not waive the fee for a gender-related name change, though publication can be waived and the file sealed for safety.
Probate Court in the county where you live
Step by step
- 1
Complete Form 21.0 (Application for Change of Name of Adult) and file it with your county Probate Court.
- 2
File Form 21.6 (Application to Waive Publication Requirement and Seal File) with proof that newspaper publication would jeopardize your personal safety.
- 3
If the waiver is granted under R.C. 2717.01(A)(4), the court skips publication, and under R.C. 2717.11 it seals the proceeding records, which can be opened only by court order or at your request.
- 4
Attend the hearing, obtain the signed Judgment Entry (Form 21.1), and use certified copies to update Social Security, the Ohio BMV record, and your US passport.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Ohio provides a statutory safety pathway: Form 21.6 waives newspaper publication (R.C. 2717.01(A)(4)) and seals the name-change file (R.C. 2717.11) for transgender petitioners and domestic-violence or stalking victims.
- • Changing the gender marker on an Ohio driver's license or birth certificate is a separate BMV / vital-records process from the probate name change.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Ohio license, then your passport and accounts.
Gender identity name change in nearby states
Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Ohio: FAQ
How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Ohio?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Ohio?
Is a gender-identity name change private in Ohio?
How long does it take in Ohio?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Ohio?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2717.11
- www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/forms/all-forms/change-of-name/14
- www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-identity-documents.aspx
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.