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.
How to check the name on your academic record
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.
Preferred Name
The Preferred Name is the name a student wishes to be called in a select number of systems. It is not an official name and is optional. Preferred Name is used in Quercus class lists and on your MS365 account. Adding a Preferred Name to your record does not change the name on your official academic record.
- Go to the my.auth.utoronto.ca website, log in and change your Preferred Name.
- No supporting documentation required.
Record Name
Your Record Name will appear in almost all university systems, on the official academic record, and on official documents such as transcripts and diplomas. The Record Name normally aligns with your Legal Name, unless consideration has been granted to change your First or Middle Name (e.g., you use a chosen name).
Indicating a Record First and Middle Name, that is different from your legal name can only be used by current students. If you would like to change your Surname, please see the Legal Name change process. Alum may only make legal name changes.
Be aware that a change to your Record First or Middle Name that differs to your Legal Name (i.e., a Chosen 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)
- Filing taxes
- Complete the Change of Name or Gender Request Form.
- Legal name change documentation is not required
- Submit the form to your registrar’s office. You will be asked to present valid photo identification.
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 or Quercus. See the TCard office for more information.
Note: Your UTORid cannot be changed, even after you change your Record 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.
Legal Name
U of T is required to record your full legal name for licensing, accreditation, tax and government reporting requirements. If you would like to change your Legal Name on your academic record, approved documentation is required. This process is used to change the legal name on the official academic record for current students and alumni.
- 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
- Passport
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 or Quercus. 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.
Additional Information
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.
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.
- For small adjustments to your name, such as accents or removing a period after an initial, refer to the Office of Convocation website.
- For any other name changes, see your registrar’s office to make the request.
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 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
- 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.