Name Change
A resident of Lake County seeking to legally change his or her name must file an application with the Lake County Probate Court. The person must have been a Lake County resident for the past 60 days prior to filing the application.
The documents listed below must be prepared by the applicant or an attorney, and submitted to the Court for filing, along with the filing fee. Once the documents have been approved for filing by the Court, the Court will review the filing for approval.
The Court reserves the right to require additional documentation be submitted to support the applicant’s name change, require a criminal background check, require publication, or hold a formal hearing on the application.
Adult Name Change
Information and Procedure
An adult desiring to change the person’s name must be a Lake County resident for at least 60 days prior to the filing of a name-change application with the Lake County Probate Court. The application must contain the reason for which the change of name is sought and the new name requested. The application must also be supported by an affidavit verifying specific information required by law.
All documents should be typed and illegible documents will be refused for filing. All names must be complete. If applicable, use middle names instead of middle initials.
A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate and a copy of a valid driver’s license or state ID must be submitted with the application.
The Court reserves the right to order any of the following: require the submission of additional documentation to support the applicant’s name change; require notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least 30 days before a scheduled hearing; hold a hearing on the name-change application; and require a criminal background check. Costs of publication and any fee required for the criminal records check must be paid by the applicant. Pursuant to R.C. 2717.16, certain offenses may prohibit the Court from ordering a change of name.
If a hearing is scheduled, the applicant must appear. Proof of any notice ordered by the Court must be submitted prior to hearing. At hearing, the burden of proof is on the adult to establish that reasonable and proper cause exists for changing the adult’s name.
Along with the application, an applicant may also file LCPC Form 21.20(A), Application to Waive Notice by Publication and Seal File, for the Court’s consideration. The Court reserves the right to schedule a hearing on the request or issue a Judgment Entry on the request without hearing. Please refer to R.C. 2717.11 to determine if you can legally meet the requirements to file this form.
If you should have any questions as to how to fill in the forms or present your case, you should consult with an attorney. The Court and its Deputy Clerks cannot provide you with any information regarding how to properly handle the case beyond the information provided in the Adult Name Change Packet available below.
Initial Deposit ( Cash / Check / Money Order Only) $105.00
All documents listed below must be submitted to the Court for filing, along with the filing fee.
Forms Required
- Contact Information Form
- Self-Representation Acknowledgment Form (If Applicable)
- Form 21.0 Application for Change of Name of Adult
- Form 21.01 Affidavit in Support of Application for Change of Name of Adult
- Photocopy of Birth Certificate
- Photocopy of Driver’s License or State ID (driver’s license number, issuance date and expiration date must be redacted)
- If applicable, LCPC Form 21.20(A) Application to Waive Notice by Publication and Seal File
- $5.00 Filing Fee
Forms
Minor Name Change
Information and Procedure
Initial Deposit ( Cash / Check / Money Order Only)$105.00
Additional cost if Restricted Mail is required (if applicable)
All documents listed below must be submitted to the Court for filing, along with the filing fee.
Application to change a minor’s name may be made by either of the minor’s parents, a legal guardian, a legal custodian, or a guardian ad litem. The minor must be a resident of Lake County for at least 60 days prior to the filing of the application. A legible copy of the minor’s certified birth certificate must be presented with the application. The copy of the birth certificate will not be made a part of the record. All documents should be typed and illegible documents will be refused for filing. All names and addresses must be complete. Use middle names instead of middle initials.
The consent of both living, legal parents of the minor must be filed or notice of the hearing will be given to the parent or parents not consenting by certified mail. If there is no known father, the notice must be given to the person who the mother of the minor alleges to be the father. If no father is alleged, or if either parent or the address of either parent is unknown, notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least 30 days before hearing will be deemed sufficient notice as to the father or parent. The Court reserves the right to require notice to any other party deemed by the Court to be interested in the name change.
If the parents of the minor are divorced, a certified copy of the divorce decree must be presented with the application.
Applicant must also present at the time of filing certified copies of any juvenile court orders regarding custody of the minor
If the parent(s) are deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate must be presented with the application.
A criminal records check may be ordered by the Court, and any fee required for the criminal records check must be paid by the applicant. Pursuant to R.C. 2717.16, certain offenses may prohibit the Court from ordering a change of name.
A hearing may be scheduled at which the attendance of the minor and the applicant will be required. The burden of proof at the hearing is upon the applicant, who must establish reasonable and proper cause for changing the minor’s name, including whether the name change is in the minor’s best interest. This may require witness testimony and evidence at the time of the hearing.
Along with the application, an applicant may also file LCPC Form 21.20(A), Application to Waive Notice by Publication and Seal File, for the Court’s consideration. The Court reserves the right to schedule a hearing on the request or issue a Judgment Entry on the request without hearing. Please refer to R.C. 2717.11 to determine if you can legally meet the requirements to file this form.
If you should have any questions as to how to fill in the forms or present your case, you should consult with an attorney. The Court and its Deputy Clerks cannot provide you with any information regarding how to properly handle the case beyond the information provided in the Minor Name Change Packet available below.
Forms Required
- Photocopy of the child’s birth certificate
- Contact Information Form
- Self-Representation Acknowledgment Form (If Applicable)
- Form 21.2 Application for Change of Name of Minor
- Form 21.02 Affidavit in Support of Application for Change of Name of Minor
- Form 21.4 Waiver of Notice of Hearing and Consent to Change of Name of Minor (If Applicable)
- Any natural parent who is not the applicant, must either sign the consent or be served by the court with a notice of the hearing.
- If applicable, LCPC Form 21.61 Application to Waive Notice by Publication and Seal File
- $5.00 Filing Fee
All forms can be mailed to:
Lake County Probate Court
P.O. Box 490
Painesville, Ohio 44077