1. Name Change Process in Ohio

A. Obtain a Court Order for Name Change

  1. File a Petition: To change your name, you must file a Petition for Change of Name with the Court of Common Pleas in your county. The following documents are typically required:

    • A completed petition form, available at the local court or online.

    • Proof of Ohio residency (such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or state-issued ID).

    • A criminal background check (Ohio law requires a background check for all name change petitions).

  2. Publication Requirement: Ohio law requires that you publish your name change in a local newspaper once a week for at least 30 days, unless you apply for an exemption. Exemptions may be granted in cases involving domestic violence or other safety concerns. If the publication requirement is waived, you may need to provide evidence of the reason for the waiver.

  3. Court Hearing: After the petition is filed, the court will schedule a hearing. At the hearing, the judge will review your petition and may grant the name change. If granted, you will receive a certified court order.

  4. Fees: Name change fees vary but generally range from $150 to $250. Fee waivers may be available for those with low income.

B. Update Your Name on Other Documents

  • Social Security Card: After receiving the court order, file the SS-5 form with the Social Security Administration (SSA) along with the court order to update your name on your social security records.

  • Driver’s License/State ID: Visit the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to change your name on your driver’s license or state ID. Bring your certified court order as proof of the name change. Standard fees apply.

  • Birth Certificate: To change your name on your Ohio birth certificate, submit the court order to the Ohio Department of Health, Vital Statistics. A small fee will apply for this service.

2. Gender Marker Change Process in Ohio

A. Updating the Gender Marker on State ID or Driver’s License

  1. Requirements: Ohio does not require medical documentation to change the gender marker on a driver’s license or state ID. You can self-attest to the gender marker change.

  2. Process:

    • Visit the BMV: Go to a Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office and request to change the gender marker.

    • Complete the Gender Designation Form: The BMV will have a form that allows you to choose from male, female, or nonbinary. There is no requirement to provide a doctor’s note or other documentation for this change.

    • Pay Fees: Fees for a replacement driver’s license or ID vary depending on the type of document being updated (typically $25–$30).

  3. Processing Time: The BMV processes gender marker changes on driver’s licenses in a few weeks, with a replacement card issued soon after the request.

B. Gender Marker Change on Birth Certificate

  1. Requirements: Ohio allows individuals to change their gender marker on the birth certificate through the Ohio Department of Health, Vital Statistics, with the submission of medical documentation.

  2. Process:

    • Obtain Medical Documentation: You will need a letter from a healthcare provider, confirming that you are undergoing gender transition. The provider must be licensed in Ohio and confirm that your transition is consistent with medical guidelines.

    • Submit Request: Submit the Gender Marker Change Request form to the Ohio Department of Health, along with the medical documentation and a fee of $25–$35. The form and instructions can be found on the Vital Statistics website.

  3. Processing Time: The Department of Health typically processes gender marker changes within a few weeks, depending on the volume of requests.

3. Additional Steps and Considerations

  • Social Security Update: You must submit your gender change request to the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the appropriate documentation (e.g., physician's letter or court order) to update your gender marker on the Social Security records. The SSA requires a formal application (Form SS-5) for this process.

  • Passport Update: The U.S. Department of State allows individuals to update their gender marker without requiring proof of surgery. You will need a physician’s letter or other supporting medical documentation for your passport update.

  • Other Records: After you’ve updated your legal name and gender marker with SSA, BMV, and the Department of Health, ensure you also update other important records such as medical insurance, bank accounts, and any personal documents that may require your updated information.

Summary Checklist for Ohio

  • Name Change:

    1. File a petition for a name change with the Ohio Court of Common Pleas.

    2. Attend the hearing and obtain the court order.

    3. Update your name with the SSA, BMV, and other agencies.

  • Gender Marker Change:

    1. Self-attest to the gender marker change at the BMV for your driver’s license or state ID.

    2. Submit a request to the Ohio Department of Health for a birth certificate update with medical documentation.

    3. Update other records (Social Security, passport, insurance, etc.) as necessary.