Does my son need a court process to revert to his birth name in Ohio?

Question

I previously filed for a name change for my son in Muskingum County, Ohio, around 2016, which was approved by a judge. However, the attorney did not update his birth certificate or Social Security card, so those remain under his birth name. His school changed records to the new name following the court's approval. My son, who is now 17, wants to revert to his birth name. Do I need to go through the courts again to change his name back, even though his legal documents still reflect his birth name?

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

This situation is a bit unusual, but you’re not alone in dealing with name change complications. Since the court approved the name change in 2016, that technically made the new name your son’s legal name—even if the Social Security card and birth certificate were never updated. Schools and other institutions often follow the court’s ruling, even if official documents haven’t caught up. 
 
Because of that prior court order, if your son now wants to go back to his original birth name, the court will likely require a new name change petition. The fact that his Social Security and birth certificate still show the original name may help his case go smoothly, but it doesn’t remove the need for official approval to reverse the legal change. In Ohio, name changes—even for minors—require a formal process through probate court, which includes notice and sometimes a short hearing. 
 
Since he’s 17, your son may also be close enough in age to petition the court himself with your support, depending on the local court rules. It’s a good idea to gather all records from the previous name change, including the court’s approval, to show the history clearly. While it might feel frustrating, taking the official steps now will give him a clean legal record and avoid future confusion. He deserves to move forward with the name that feels right to him.

Q: Does my son need a court process to revert to his birth name in Ohio?