Number: 540
Subject: GUIDELINES FOR CHANGING A NAME OF RECORD
Changes Allowed to Names
FIRST NAME
You may not drop, alter, or change your first name without legal documentation
such as a birth certificate, court order, Certificate of Naturalization, or
passport. International students may not alter any portion of their name from
the way it appears on their passport.
MIDDLE NAME
You may change your given middle name to a middle initial (Ex: Change
"Sue" to "S.") without legal documentation. When changing
your name based on a marriage license, you may change your middle name to an
initial. The maiden name may be added or used instead of the given middle name.
When changing your name based on a court order or Certificate of
Naturalization, you may use the middle name shown on the court order or use the
initial only. International students may not alter any portion of their name
from the way it appears on their passport.
LAST NAME
Your last name may be changed only on the basis of a marriage license, divorce
decree granting a return to the maiden name, Certificate of Naturalization, or
court order. When changing your name based on a marriage license, the maiden
name may be dropped completely, or it may be used with the married name. A
combined surname will be hyphenated.
NAME EXTENSIONS (Jr., Sr., III, etc.)
You may add an extension after your surname only when the extension appears on
your birth certificate or current U.S. passport.
Documentation Required by Reason
Students requesting a name change are expected to present original legal
documents to support their name change request. A copy of the document will be
made and included in the student's permanent record file. The original document
will be returned to the student.
Students requesting a name change by mail may submit a photocopy of the legal
document with an original notary public seal or county certification stamp to
verify the authenticity and correctness of the document. Mailed copies
will not be returned to the student.
MARRIAGE: Original marriage license bearing the filing stamp from the county or
parish in which the license was issued. Church-issued marriage certificates are
not acceptable documentation for a name change.
DIVORCE: Original divorce decree, including a specific clause granting
restoration of the maiden name. The decree must be signed by the presiding
judge and bear the county filing stamp.
COURT ORDER: Original court order signed by the presiding judge and bearing the
county filing stamp.
CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION: Original Certification of Naturalization.
CORRECTING AN ERROR ON THE ADMISSION APPLICATION: Birth certificate or current,
valid passport. NOTE: International students' names in official University
records must match the name on their passport.