NOTE: These instructions are intended as a guideline only. Remember to fill out the County Name (Adams) and the Division of the Court (Probate). The name of the Judge to be used on the forms is Brett M. Spencer. The name of the Magistrate to be used on the forms is David M. Hunter. All forms should be typewritten or legibly printed. 

1. AC-001 - Notice of Appearance (Word | PDF) - required in all cases

2. Form AC-007 - Authorization for Background Search (Word | PDF ) - Required for all applications

3. For an applicant who has ever lived in a State other than Ohio. a background check from the sheriff's department is required and must be submitted to the Court. The Sheriff may charge a fee for this service. Both Federal (FBI) and Ohio (BCI) checks must be completed. 

4. Supreme Court Form 21.0: Application for Change of Name of Adult

   • Be sure to state your full legal name (first, middle and last) and full name requested after the change of name (first, middle and last).

   • You must include your reasons for seeking a change of name.

   • Provide a copy of your birth certificate and your most recent Ohio Driver's License. If your name is different than that on your birth certificate, you must provide documentation of each name change (Decree of Divorce, etc.)

5. Supreme Court Form 21.5: Notice of Hearing on Change of Name

   • Complete all the information requested, except the hearing date which will be filled in by the Court.

6. Supreme Court Form 21.1: Judgment Entry - Change of Name of Adult

• Fill in everything above the signature line for the Probate Judge. This form must be typed or Computer Generated

At the date and time of the hearing, you should report to the Probate Court and check in at the window. The Magistrate will ask you questions regarding the application and will decide whether to grant the name change. Assuming the application is granted, the Judgment Entry – Change of Name of Adult will be filed.  If you require certified copies of the JUDGMENT ENTRY – CHANGE OF NAME OF ADULT for Social Security  or other purposes, the Clerk will make the copies of the entry and certify the copies at a nominal cost. The Court will send a certified copy of the JUDGMENT ENTRY- CHANGE OF NAME OF ADULT to the OHIO Bureau of Vital Statistics.   You must send a certified copy of the JUDGMENT ENTRY- CHANGE OF NAME OF ADULT to the Bureau of Vital Statistics if any other State maintains the birth record 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLICATION:  Ohio Law requires that notice of the application shall be given once by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the County at least thirty (30) days before the hearing on the application.  The NOTICE OF HEARING ON CHANGE OF NAME is for this purpose.  The Court will send the NOTICE OF HEARING ON CHANGE OF NAME, however, YOU MUST  pay the publication cost DIRECTLY to the newspaper. Failure to pay the Cost of Publication may result in the delay of the hearing and/or dismissal of the case. If the publication is not completed at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing, the name change cannot be granted and re-publication will be required at additional cost and delay to you.