Where do I file a name change in Clermont County?

Name-change cases are filed in the Clermont County Probate Court at 2379 Clermont Center Dr, Batavia, OH 45103. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM), and you can reach it at (513) 732-7243.

What is the difference between a name change and a name conformity?

A name change legally changes the name on record (Forms 21.0 / 21.2). A name conformity aligns your legal name with the name you already use when the two don't match (Forms 21.7 / 21.9). The court's "Which Process to Use" information sheet helps you pick the right one.

How do I change my adult name in Clermont County?

Start with the Adult Name Change Packet, then file Form 21.0 (Application for Change of Name of Adult) with the supporting affidavit (Form 21.01). The court sets a hearing, usually orders published notice, and signs Form 21.1 to grant the change.

How do I change a minor child's name?

File Form 21.2 (Application for Change of Name of Minor) using the Minor Name Change Packet. Minor cases require notice to the parents (Form 21.21) and may require consent (Forms 21.4 / 21.4A). The court sets a hearing before signing Form 21.3.

Will I need a criminal background check?

The court may require a criminal background check and uses Form 21.23 (adult) or Form 21.24 (minor) to authorize it. Whether one is required depends on your case, so review your instruction packet and confirm with the court.

Do I have to publish notice of my name change?

Name-change cases generally require notice of the hearing, and the court often orders the notice to be published before the hearing (Forms 21.03 / 21.5). Your instruction packet explains the notice steps for your case.

Do I need a lawyer for a name change?

Many adults complete a straightforward name change on their own using the court's packets and forms. An Ohio family-law attorney can help when a parent objects to a minor's name change, when notice or consent is complicated, or when you want to be sure every step is done right.

Name Change in Clermont County Probate Court

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

You file an application in the Clermont County Probate Court at 2379 Clermont Center Dr, Batavia, OH 45103. An adult uses Form 21.0 (Application for Change of Name of Adult) with a supporting affidavit; a minor uses Form 21.2. First decide whether you need a name change or a name conformity — the court's "Which Process to Use" information sheet explains the difference. For a minor, the court requires notice to the parents and may require consent and a criminal background check release. The court then sets a hearing with notice (and sometimes published notice) before a judge signs the judgment entry.

Clermont County Probate Court

2379 Clermont Center Dr, Batavia, OH 45103. Phone (513) 732-7243, fax (513) 732-8183. Open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM). Court website. Cost deposits.

Who this is for

You are an adult who wants to legally change your name.
You are a parent or guardian asking the court to change a minor child's name.
Your legal name and the name you actually use don't match, and you need a court order to conform them.
You need to align identity documents (Social Security, driver's license, passport) with a corrected legal name.
You want to restore a former name outside of a divorce case.

Official Clermont County forms

Start here: instruction packets

Not sure whether you need a name change or a name conformity? Start with the court's "Which Process to Use" information sheet, then pick the matching packet.

Information Sheet — Which Process to Use (Name Change / Conformity / Birth Correction) — Explains whether your situation calls for a name change, a name conformity, or a birth correction.
Adult Name Change Packet
Minor Name Change Packet
Adult Name Conformity Packet
Minor Name Conformity Packet

Adult name change (21.0–21.1)

Download each PDF from the court's Name Change Forms page: https://probatejuvenile.clermontcountyohio.gov/probate-court/forms/name-change-forms

Minor name change (21.2 and related)

Minor cases add parental notice and consent forms and may require a background check release.

Name conformity (21.7–21.13A)

Use a conformity when your legal name and the name you actually use don't match and you need the court to align them.

Criminal background check releases

These releases authorize the background check the court may require, especially in minor cases.

Clermont County Probate Court charges a filing deposit to open a name-change case. The court does not quote a single flat figure in its general materials, so confirm the current deposit on the court's Cost Deposits page (https://probatejuvenile.clermontcountyohio.gov/probate-court/cost-deposits/) or by calling (513) 732-7243 before you file.

Step by step

Decide: name change or name conformity Read the court's "Which Process to Use" information sheet. A name change changes the name on record; a name conformity aligns your legal name with the name you already use.
Use the matching instruction packet Pick the adult or minor packet for a name change, or the adult or minor packet for a conformity. Each packet walks you through the exact forms in order.
For a minor, handle notice, consent, and any background check Minor cases require notice to the parents (Form 21.21), may require consent (Forms 21.4 / 21.4A), and may require a criminal background check release (Forms 21.23 / 21.24).
File your application and affidavit File Form 21.0 (adult) or 21.2 (minor) — or the conformity application (21.7 / 21.9) — with its supporting affidavit at the Clermont County Probate Court, 2379 Clermont Center Dr, Batavia, OH 45103, and pay the filing deposit.
The court sets a hearing and orders notice The court issues a judgment entry setting the hearing and ordering notice (Form 21.03 or 21.11). Name changes often require published notice before the hearing.
Attend the hearing and receive the judgment entry At the hearing the judge confirms the request is proper and signs the judgment entry (Form 21.1, 21.3, 21.8, or 21.10) — the order you use to update your records.

Good to know about Clermont County

File in person at the Clermont County Probate Court, 2379 Clermont Center Dr, Batavia, OH 45103. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM) — plan around the midday closing so you are not turned away at lunch.
The court publishes its filing deposits on its Cost Deposits page (https://probatejuvenile.clermontcountyohio.gov/probate-court/cost-deposits/); confirm the current amount with the Probate Court before you file, because the source court materials do not quote a fixed dollar figure.
Clermont County's probate local rules (effective September 4, 2025) govern how these cases are handled — review them at https://probatejuvenile.clermontcountyohio.gov/media/Probate/About/localruleseff9-4-2025.pdf before filing.
You can look up an existing probate case through Clermont County's online case access portal at https://eservices.clermontclerk.org/probate/home.page.2. Per SUP.R. 44(C)(2) and (G)(2), remote access excludes electronic images of case documents; full document images are available by direct access at the court.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file a name change in Clermont County?: Name-change cases are filed in the Clermont County Probate Court at 2379 Clermont Center Dr, Batavia, OH 45103. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM), and you can reach it at (513) 732-7243.
What is the difference between a name change and a name conformity?: A name change legally changes the name on record (Forms 21.0 / 21.2). A name conformity aligns your legal name with the name you already use when the two don't match (Forms 21.7 / 21.9). The court's "Which Process to Use" information sheet helps you pick the right one.
How do I change my adult name in Clermont County?: Start with the Adult Name Change Packet, then file Form 21.0 (Application for Change of Name of Adult) with the supporting affidavit (Form 21.01). The court sets a hearing, usually orders published notice, and signs Form 21.1 to grant the change.
How do I change a minor child's name?: File Form 21.2 (Application for Change of Name of Minor) using the Minor Name Change Packet. Minor cases require notice to the parents (Form 21.21) and may require consent (Forms 21.4 / 21.4A). The court sets a hearing before signing Form 21.3.
Will I need a criminal background check?: The court may require a criminal background check and uses Form 21.23 (adult) or Form 21.24 (minor) to authorize it. Whether one is required depends on your case, so review your instruction packet and confirm with the court.
Do I have to publish notice of my name change?: Name-change cases generally require notice of the hearing, and the court often orders the notice to be published before the hearing (Forms 21.03 / 21.5). Your instruction packet explains the notice steps for your case.
How much does a name change cost in Clermont County?: The court charges a filing deposit that is not listed as a flat figure in its general materials. Confirm the current amount on the Probate Court's Cost Deposits page (https://probatejuvenile.clermontcountyohio.gov/probate-court/cost-deposits/) or by calling (513) 732-7243. Published-notice costs and any attorney fees are separate.
Do I need a lawyer for a name change?: Many adults complete a straightforward name change on their own using the court's packets and forms. An Ohio family-law attorney can help when a parent objects to a minor's name change, when notice or consent is complicated, or when you want to be sure every step is done right.

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