Where can I find a record of name change?
Answer
Most name changes in the past and today are of a common law variety; by simply adopting another name and using it consistently and without fraudulent intent.
Historically, the formal process for a legal name change involved applying to a legal authority; the State Supreme Court (to the Ohio Supreme Court), a state legislature (presented to the Ohio General Assembly by their Representative or Senator), or to a county probate court. Notice of the change was then to appear in the local newspaper of record. Some general information about historical legal name change can be found on Genealogy Bank.
Today, the formal process for a name change in the state of Ohio involves completing and submitting an application to the county probate court for a change of name. You have to be a permanent resident of that county for at least a year to submit the application, advertising your application in a local newspaper at least 30 days before the hearing on your application, and then attend a hearing where, after asking some questions to ensure that you have complied with the process, the probate court judge officially orders the original name changed to the new name.
A formal name change can also be done during the Naturalization process by filling in a name change on the application for citizenship AND if the swearing in ceremony of the US Citizenship and Immigration Service takes place in a courtroom and is conducted by a judge.
Places to look for a record of formal name change:
- County probate court
- Notice in the local newspaper of record
- Naturalization documents