Instructions - br The Ohio name change for an adult as described in the State Code 2717.01 is done by filing a petition to the county's civil court where you are a resident. It is easier, if you were just married, to have your certified marriage license with the raised seal or if you were recently divorced to have your divorce decree. Typically, you will not have a court hearing in Ohio but it depends on the circumstances of the name change.br br REQUIREMENTSbr Must be a resident for at least 6 monthsbr If just married, must have your original marriage certificate.br If just divorced, must have your divorce decree.br $141.00 Filing Fee.br Step 1 - Fill-Out the Ohio Name Change Petition. The Petition must be notarized.br br Step 2 - Make 2 copies of each.br br Step 3 - File the Petition to the County Court Clerk's office where your live. Pay the filing fee and you will be given a court hearing date.br br Step 4 - You must publish an ad in the newspaper within 30 days of your court hearing to announce your name change publicly. The newspaper company usually has a department for this purpose. You will need to prove this at yourcourt hearing.br br Step 5 - Go to your court hearing and upon apporval of your name change you will be given a name change decree that the Judge will sign and this will act as the instrument to change your name at any government or private institution in the United States.