Ohio is a non-strict voter ID state.
You will be asked to show an acceptable ID to confirm your identity when voting in person.
If you are a registered voter but do not present an acceptable ID at the polling place, you may cast a provisional ballot.
Your ballot will count if you provide your Ohio driver’s license or state ID number OR the last four digits of your Social Security number. This information will be reviewed and verified by the board of elections.
Any registered Ohio voter can request an absentee ballot.
You need to provide either ID information or a copy of acceptable ID to vote by mail in Ohio.
You must file a formal request with your county’s Probate Court to change your name in Ohio. You need to live in a county for at least one year before you can change your name in its court.
You will be required to publish notice of your name change in a newspaper for a specific period of time. This requirement can be waived for your safety.
If the court approves your name change, you will receive a court order that can be used to update the name on your ID documents.
Submit a request to Ohio’s Department of Health to amend your birth certificate.
You will need to provide a certified copy of your name-change court order, unless the court chooses to send it directly to the Ohio Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics office.
Contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 614-466-2531 or [email protected] for more information.
Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.
•••
Name & Gender Change Guide for Ohio Residents (PDF)
Name & Gender Change Legal Clinic
You must update your name with the Social Security Administration before you can change your name on a Ohio-issued ID.
Visit an Ohio BMV office and present a certified copy of your name-change court order and your current driver’s license or ID card.
•••
Name & Gender Change Guide for Ohio Residents (PDF)
Name & Gender Change Legal Clinic
Obtain an Order for the Correction of Birth Record from your local probate court. The process, requirements, and difficulty to obtain this court order vary by county.
If your Order for the Correction of Birth Records is granted by an Ohio probate court, it will automatically be sent to the state’s Department of Health and your birth certificate will be updated.
Out-of-state applicants may obtain an order from their local court and mail the original copy to Ohio’s Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.
•••
Name & Gender Change Guide for Ohio Residents (PDF)
Name & Gender Change Legal Clinic
Mail a completed Declaration of Gender Change form to the Ohio Department of Public Safety (address listed on form).
Declaration must be signed by a qualified physician or a licensed psychologist/therapist.
If gender identification is marked as “transitional” on your Declaration of Gender Change form, a new form must be submitted for each driver’s license/ID renewal until gender transition is complete. If the form is not submitted at renewal, the gender marker will revert to the original gender.
If your request is approved, you will be notified by letter. You will receive a document that you can present to any local License Bureau agency to update your Ohio driver’s license or state ID card.
•••
Name & Gender Change Guide for Ohio Residents (PDF)
Name & Gender Change Legal Clinic