Change of name

Changing your name

You can report that you wish to change your name directly on your Student Record on the web.  Minor changes for example mis-spelt names can be changed without the need to provide documentation and proof of identity. 

However, if there is a significant change to your name we will require some official documentation to show your new name and proof of identity e.g. Marriage certificate, Deed Poll Certificate, Passport, Driving Licence or ID card.  You will be emailed by the Academic Registry and asked  to provide documentation.  Once we receive the required documentation your name will be changed normally within 5 working days.

Once your name has been changed on our records you will receive an email confirming the change has been made and your new name will appear on your Student Record on the web.  If you need a new student card you should contact is@aber.ac.uk or visit the helpdesk in the Hugh Owen Library and request a new card but only after your name has changed on your student record.

Implications of changing your name and your degree certificate

It is important that you understand that changing your official name can have implcations after you have left University.  You should be aware that your final degree certificate and some official documents such as your passport should have the same name, if these documents do not have the exact same name you may have problems in future and once the final degree certificate has been issued it is not possible to have another in a different name (or spelling) so it is essentail you check that you name is correct and inform us immediately if it is incorrect. You must inform us ugfstaff@aber.ac.uk of any changes you need to make to your name by the end of May of your final year at the very latest. 

Transgender and Gender Diverse 

The University offers support and advice for transgender and gender divere students and further information is available here. Transgender and gender diverse students can have a new certificate issued in the new name upon the return of the original certificate. 

We advise transgender and gender diverse students to enage with the Accessibility and Incusion Team about their change of name.  The team can help you coordinate your change of name and they will also help you with what other services you may wish to inform.   

Students on a visa

If you are an international student and wish to change your name, the university's Visa Support and Advice service is here to help guide you through the process.  You should contact our support and advice service before you make a request to change your name via your student record.  Students on a visa will be required to update their details on their UKVI account .  It is very important that your passport and your degree certificate have exactly the same name.  Once the final degree certificate has been printed it is NOT possible to have another degree certificate in your new name.  

Known as name 

It is important students understand that the 'known as name' option on your student record is NOT designed for students to change their official name this includes transgender or gender diverse students.  This option has been designed for students to be known in general by the name given in the 'known as name'.  Normally the 'known as name' will update your name on systems that your personal tutors may log into but it is not a reliable way to change your name, your full and official name is still the name that is recorded on the university central records system and it is your official name not your known as name that would be used by University officials to contact you and used in all correspondence incuding offical letters, transcripts and the degree certificate.  The known as name option was developed so that for example Thomas can be known as Tom, or Kimberly to be known as Kim. 

Aber ID

Students who wish to change their name across all systems across the University but who may not, as yet, have official documentation to support a change to their official name can ask for an Aber ID.  The Aber ID would change your name across all University systems.  To make an Aber ID change you need to make a request to change your name through your Student Record in the usual way but when asked the question 'Is this change of a sensitive nature' you should click 'yes'.  The  Accessibility and Incusion Team will get in touch with you and arrange for your name to be updated. 

 

You should note that changing your Aber ID does not change your official name and therefore your degree certificate will not be printed until you provide the university with documentation to change your offical name.  The Accessibility and Incusion Team will be able to help and advise you on this.

 

If you need to discuss changing your name on your student record you can contact us by email to ugfstaff@aber.ac.uk