person on laptop typing documentation

Changing Your Name

The accuracy of your academic record is essential to the integrity of the University of Toronto’s academic mission. It’s important that university records, such as official transcripts and diplomas, correctly identifies students.

The full name you provided during the admissions process is the name displayed in ACORN. If you would like to add a preferred name or need to change your name, there are several options to help you do this.

Name Records

There are three name records for students that are used at U of T, each serving a different purpose and having a specific procedure for changes or declaring:

Purpose

The Preferred Name is used for daily interactions and is different from your first name. You do not need to declare a Preferred Name. Preferred names appear in class lists, on Quercus, U of T email, or other university systems where appropriate (formerly known as “Display First Name”). Adding a Preferred Name to your record does not change the name on your official academic record.

How to Change Your Preferred Name

Purpose

The First Name and/or Middle Name normally aligns with your legal name, unless consideration has been granted to change your first and/or middle name indicated on your student record. In this case, your first/middle name and legal first/middle name will be different. The First and Middle Name will appear in most university systems, on the official academic record, and on official documents such as transcripts and diplomas.

Be aware that a change to your first and/or middle name on your academic record may impact identity verification processes. You may face challenges with verifying your identity or your academic credentials for:

  • Government student loan programs (e.g., OSAP) 
  • Verifying your Ontario Education Number (OEN) 
  • Study permit applications and compliance 
  • Post-graduate work permit applications  
  • Professional licensing/accreditation boards (e.g., medicine, nursing, law) 
  • International employment application processes 
  • Applications to other educational institutions (e.g., graduate school applications or university transfers)

How to Change Your First Name and/or Middle Name

After changing your name, you will need to ensure your name is updated in other university systems: 

  • Email: Visit the UTORid webpage to request a change to your email address. 
  • TCard: Your TCard must match your current name on ACORN. See the TCard office for more information.  

Note: Your UTORid cannot be changed, even after you change your name on your official academic record. Your UTORid is only used by you, it cannot be used to identify you to university staff or instructors. 

Purpose

U of T is required to record your legal name for licensing, accreditation, tax and government reporting requirements. If you would like to change your Legal Name, approved documentation is required.

How to Change Your Legal Name

  • Complete the Legal Name Change Form. 
  • Submit the form and one of the following approved documents to your registrar’s office.  
    • Name change certificate from an approved government agency (e.g. Office of the Registrar General). 
    • Birth certificate 
    • Government issued marriage certificate, divorce decree or court issued separation document 
    • Citizenship card issued by an approved government agency 
    • Permanent resident card 
    • Canadian passport 
    • International passport 

After changing your name, you will need to ensure your name is updated in other university systems: 

Note: Your UTORid cannot be changed, even after you change your name on your official academic record. Your UTORid  is only used by you, it cannot be used to identify you to university staff or instructors.

students in convocation robes walking into convocation hall

If you are a University of Toronto student who also works at the university, you may also need to update your name on your employment record as human resources records are managed in a separate system. To change your name on your employment record, speak with your department HR consultant. 

Log in to ACORN to see how your name appears on your official academic record. Go to the “Academics” section in the menu and select “Graduation & Convocation”, to see how your name will appear on your transcript and diploma.

If you are unable to access ACORN, contact your registrar’s office for assistance.

If you would like to change how your name appears on your diploma and in the convocation brochure, you must make the request in advance; otherwise, the name currently displayed in ACORN will be used.

University of Toronto alum who need to change their name on their diploma or transcript, can do so by:

  • Completing the Legal Name Change Form
  • Submitting the form one of the following approved documents to your registrar’s office:
    • Name change certificate from an approved government agency (e.g. Office of the Registrar General). 
    • Birth certificate 
    • Government issued marriage certificate, divorce decree or court issued separation document 
    • Citizenship card issued by an approved government agency 
    • Permanent resident card 
    • Canadian passport 
    • International passport 
  • Requesting a replacement diploma from the Office of Convocation.
  • Requesting an updated transcript from the University Registrar’s Office.

If you have questions about changing your name, contact your registrar’s office.