Lake County, OH
How to Change Your Name in Lake County
File your adult name change petition with the Probate Court of Lake County, Ohio. The filing fee is $105. Newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Ohio checklist
The court step is one of many — the free state guide maps SSA, DMV, passport and the records that come after.
Court Information
- Court
- Probate Court of Lake County, Ohio (Judge Mark J. Bartolotta)
- Filing fee
- $105
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- Must have been a Lake County resident for at least 60 days prior to filing (official name-change page; R.C. 2717.06(A)).
- Court address
- 25 North Park Place, Lake County Courthouse West Annex, Painesville, OH 44077
- Court phone
- 440-350-2626
- Jurisdiction
- Probate Court
- Official forms
- www.lakecountyohio.gov/probate-court/name-change/ ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Lake County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- by mail or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available
You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and your banks — order more than one.
Step-by-Step Process
- Gather documents: certified birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of residency in Lake County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Probate Court of Lake County, Ohio clerk or its website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee, complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition by mail or in person with the Probate Court of Lake County, Ohio
- Arrange the required newspaper publication — confirm the approved newspaper with the clerk before you publish
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available.
- Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records
Check what you are missing before you file
The free readiness score checks documents, forms, fees and privacy across four dimensions — and links the gaps to the same Ohio guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Probate Court of Lake County, Ohio clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Lake County, Ohio?
The court filing fee is $105. A fee waiver is available for petitioners who qualify by income; file the waiver request together with your petition. Certified copies may cost extra; ask the clerk for the current copy fee.
Where and how do I file a name change in Lake County?
File with the Probate Court of Lake County, Ohio. Venue rule: Must have been a Lake County resident for at least 60 days prior to filing (official name-change page; R.C. 2717.06(A)). Accepted filing methods: by mail or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Lake County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Lake County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the Probate Court of Lake County, Ohio clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Lake County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Probate Court of Lake County, Ohio clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Lake County?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.