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Ohio birth certificates

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  • Page changed: Changing or Correcting a Birth Record (2026-10-12) · #276
  • Page changed: Birth Records Forms (2026-09-28) · #69
  • Page changed: Birth Correction / Delayed Birth Registration (2026-09-28) · #66
Update your name
YesAfter your legal name change
Gender markerThe sex or gender field (M, F, or X) printed on an ID document or stored in an agency's record.
LimitedM or F with a court order

If you were born in Ohio, you can change the sex on your birth certificate only with a probate court order, and whether you can get one depends on the county. Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, and several other counties grant these orders; many others refuse. Since August 2026 this is also the only way to change the sex on an Ohio driver's license.

Main cost
$70
Apply
Online

Draft from official sources, September 24, 2026. Not yet checked by a person. How we verify

This applies only if you were born here. Birth certificates follow your birth state, not where you live now. Choose your birth state

In court: Ray v. McCloud, No. 2:18-cv-00272

ODH says it changes sex markers when it receives a probate court order, to comply with this ruling.[11][2]

About this case

The court held on December 16, 2020 that Ohio's refusal to let transgender people correct the sex marker on their birth certificates was unconstitutional.

US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Last update 2020-12-16. Case page

In court: In re Application for Correction of Birth Record of Adelaide, 2024-Ohio-5393

There is no statewide rule. Some probate courts grant corrections; many deny them.[12]

About this case

On November 19, 2024 the court could not reach a majority, leaving in place a Second District ruling that ORC 3705.15 allows correcting only a sex marker recorded in error at birth.

Supreme Court of Ohio. Last update 2024-11-19. Case page

On this page
  1. How it works
  2. Steps
  3. Costs and fee waivers
  4. Forms
  5. Requirements
  6. After you finish
  7. Tips
  8. Laws and other guides
  9. Sources

How it works

Ohio refused to change sex markers on birth certificates from 2016 until a federal court struck down that policy in Ray v. McCloud (S.D. Ohio, December 2020). Since then the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) changes the sex marker when it receives a probate court order correcting the birth record under ORC 3705.15.

In November 2024 the Ohio Supreme Court split with no majority in In re Adelaide, which left in place a Clark County appellate ruling that the statute only allows fixing errors made at birth. Each probate court now decides for itself. According to TransOhio, probate courts in Athens, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Franklin, Hamilton, Lorain, Lucas, Portage, and Summit counties are the most likely to grant corrections.

You can file in the county where you were born, the county where you live now (if in Ohio), or the county where your mother lived when you were born, so you may be able to pick a county that grants these orders. Requirements differ: Franklin County asks for a sworn affidavit (form PC-3.A), while Cuyahoga County asks for a statement from a licensed professional.

A 2025 law, ORC 9.05, says Ohio recognizes two sexes that are "not changeable." As of September 2026 ODH's page still says it follows Ray v. McCloud, but check with a legal clinic before you file.

Steps

  1. Choose the probate court[1][10]

    You can file where you were born, where you live, or where your mother lived when you were born. If more than one is possible, a legal clinic (Equality Ohio, TransOhio, Equitas Health) can tell you which courts are currently granting corrections.

  2. Gather your documents[4][9][3]

    Get a certified copy of your Ohio birth record ($21.50 from ODH or a local health department), a copy of your photo ID, the court's application, and whatever the court wants as support: a notarized affidavit in Franklin County, or a licensed professional's statement in Cuyahoga County.

    Cost
    $21.50 certified copy of an Ohio birth record

  3. File with the probate court[4][8][1]

    Franklin and Cuyahoga counties take these filings by e-filing only. Franklin County charges $70. The court may set a hearing at least seven days after filing and may order a newspaper notice; for minors, a hearing is set if both parents do not sign consents.

    Cost
    $70 probate court fee for a correction of birth record

  4. The court sends the order to ODH; then order your new certificate[8][2][3]

    When the order is granted, the court sends it to the Ohio Department of Health, which records it and prepares the corrected certificate, usually within 3 to 4 weeks. Then order certified copies from ODH or your local vital statistics office.

    Cost
    $21.50 certified copy of an Ohio birth record
    Time
    3 to 6 weeks after the order

Costs and fee waivers

No fee waiver is available for this step.[3][13]

ODH does not waive birth certificate fees. Ask the probate court whether it accepts an affidavit of indigency for the court fee. TransOhio's microgrants and emergency fund may help with costs.

WhatCostNotes
Probate court fee for a correction of birth record[4]$70Varies by countyFranklin County's fee, paid by card through e-filing. Other counties differ.
Certified copy of an Ohio birth record[3]$21.50

More detail

Forms3 forms: PC-30.0, PC-3.A, 30.0

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

Forms everyone files (1)

PC-30.0Application for Correction of Birth Record (Franklin County)Required

Franklin County's version of statewide form 30.0. Other counties use form 30.0 or their own form (Cuyahoga uses CCPC_HEA 2783).

How to fill it out

  • Top box: copy your name, date and place of birth, sex, and parents' names exactly as they appear on your current birth record.
  • Corrections section: list the sex field and the correct entry. This application cannot change your name; do that through a name change and send the order to ODH.
  • Sign in front of a notary. Attach a certified copy of your Ohio birth record and a copy of your photo ID.

Open PC-30.0[5][4][7]

Forms only some people need (2)

PC-3.AAffidavit to Correct Gender Marker in Birth Record for an Adult (Franklin County)Sometimes required: Franklin County adults. Minors use PC-3.B, signed by a parent or guardian.

How to fill it out

  • Check how you qualify: born in Franklin County, living in Franklin County now, or your mother lived there at your birth.
  • Check male or female. The form does not offer X.
  • You certify that the request reflects your gender identity and is not for a fraudulent purpose. No doctor's letter is required on this form. Sign in front of a notary.

Open PC-3.A[6]

30.0Application for Correction of Birth Record (statewide standard form)Sometimes required: For counties that do not have their own form.

For counties that do not have their own form. Ask the court what supporting documents it wants for a sex-marker correction.

Open 30.0[7]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, timeline
Where you live
You must have been born in Ohio. File in the probate court of your county of birth, your current county of residence, or the county where your mother lived at your birth. If you were born in another state, that state's rules apply.[1][4][8]
Age
Adults file for themselves. For a minor, a parent or guardian files; courts may require both parents' consent or set a hearing.
How long it takes

About 1 to 3 months for the court order, depending on the county, then 3 to 6 weeks for ODH.

After you finishBring the new certificate to the BMV to change the sex on your license or ID.

Bring the new certificate to the BMV to change the sex on your license or ID. To change the name on your birth record, send a certified copy of your name change order to ODH (Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 15098, Columbus, OH 43215); it adds a note to the record, which takes 4 to 6 weeks. Social Security and the US passport currently do not change the sex field based on an amended birth certificate.

Tips2 tips from people who have done this
  • Order two or three certified copies once the correction is recorded; you will need one for the BMV and others later.
  • If a probate court denies your application, talk to a legal clinic before appealing; appeals courts are split on this issue.
Laws and other guides2 laws, 2 other guides

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

13 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. Ohio Revised Code § 3705.15, Registration or correction of birth recordOhio Legislative Service Commission, Law. accessed
  2. Changing or Correcting a Birth RecordOhio Department of Health, Official page. accessed
    “In order to comply with the court decision in Ray v. McCloud, Case”
  3. How to Order CertificatesOhio Department of Health, Official page. accessed
    “Certified Birth Record - $21.50”
  4. Birth Correction / Delayed Birth RegistrationFranklin County Probate Court, Official page. accessed
    “Adult applicants must also submit an Affidavit to Correct Gender Marker.”
  5. Birth Records FormsFranklin County Probate Court, Official page. accessed
  6. Form PC-3.A, Affidavit to Correct Gender Marker in Birth Record for an Adult (Rev. 6-2021)Franklin County Probate Court, Form. accessed
    “I certify that this request to correct the gender marker in my birth record accurately reflects my gender identity and is not for any fraudulent or other unlawful purposes.”
  7. Form 30.0, Application for Correction of Birth RecordSupreme Court of Ohio, Form. accessed
  8. Correction of Birth RecordCuyahoga County Probate Court, Official page. accessed
    “The Department of Health will record the order and prepare the new birth certificate, usually within 3-4 weeks. The incorrect birth certificate is then sealed.”
  9. New Case Guidelines, E-File Correction of Birth Record (updated 9/29/25)Cuyahoga County Probate Court, Official page. accessed
    “Licensed Professional Statement or similar supporting medical document from a licensed professional”
  10. Ohio BMV abruptly creates new obstacle to change a sex marker on driver's licenses, IDsThe Buckeye Flame, News. accessed
    “Athens, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Franklin, Hamilton, Lorain, Lucas, Portage, and Summit”
  11. Ray v. McCloudLambda Legal, Organization. accessed
  12. Court Unable to Rule on Transgender Woman's Request to Change Birth CertificateCourt News Ohio (Supreme Court of Ohio), Court. accessed
  13. TransOhioTransOhio, Organization. accessed