Name Changes for Students

Student name changes are administered by the Registrar’s Office.  Detailed information is available on the Student Name Changes page of the Registrar’s Office website. Academic Technology and User Services (ATUS) provides guidance about updating personal software applications and devices after changing your name with Western.

Students may indicate a first name that is different from their legal first name for use at Western.  To do this, complete a Student Preferred Name Change E-sign Form. This first name will be used on a student’s Western Card, class rosters, unofficial transcripts, President’s List (honor roll), as the email display name, in the campus directory, and in Canvas.  Two business days are required to process requests for first name changes.

To obtain a new Western Card, visit the Western Card Office at least two days after submitting the name change e-sign form.  There is no charge for a new Western Card requested due to a name change.  At your request, the Western Card Office can take a new photograph of you for the updated Western Card.

Students can change their legal name with the University by submitting a Name Change Request Form and supporting material as described on that form to the Registrar’s Office.  Students who are employed by Western, including as student employees, or who receive financial aid or applied for FAFSA, must provide a copy of their social security card reflecting the name change in order for the Registrar’s Office to process a legal name change request. You can also find helpful information about changing your name on state and federal identity documents.

Students who indicate a preferred first name or change their legal first name may request a corresponding change to the first initial appearing in their user name and the username@wwu.edu email address.  Request this change via the Get IT Help form. Emails sent to the old username@wwu.edu email address will be forwarded to the new address.

Students indicate how their name should appear on their diploma at the time of degree application. The name appearing on one’s diploma does not need to be their legal name. Changing one’s name with Western will not change the name appearing on a diploma. To change the name on one’s diploma after submitting a degree application, contact Degree Evaluation before the end of one’s graduation quarter at 360-650-3985 or DegreeEval@wwu.edu.

Questions about student and alumnx name changes may be directed to:

Zoey Brodsky (They/Them)
Forms & Records Analyst
360-650-3301
Zoey.Brodsky@wwu.edu