Changing the name on your diploma

Name change requests for Spring graduation

Preferred name change

If you’d like to have your preferred name read as you cross the stage and printed in the graduation ceremony booklet, request a name change online. The deadline to submit a preferred name change is Fri, Apr 14, 2023.

Legal name change deadline for your diploma

The deadline to submit a legal name change request for your diploma for Spring graduation is Fri, Apr 14, 2023—see details below. After that date, you will be required to order a replacement diploma.

Overview

The name on your official student record will be the name printed on your diploma, but there are certain acceptable name changes you can request.

If you’re a UBC Okanagan student, review information and instructions specific to your campus.

Updating your legal name

If your legal name has changed, update it on your official student record—it will be the name printed on your diploma. If you have not previously provided your middle name and want to have this added to your diploma, consider updating your legal name.

Learn how to change your legal name on your student record.

If you've already submitted your graduation application

Please email graduation@ubc.ca after you have updated your legal name with Enrolment Services to ensure your graduation application and diploma are also updated.

Updating your official student record will not automatically update your graduation application.

Preferred or chosen name

Preferred names, chosen names, adopted names, or nicknames may be added to your diploma within brackets. Examples include: Mei Mei (Jane) Wong, Jane (Brown) Smith, or Matthew (Mat) Smith.

Requesting to add a preferred or chosen name and other acceptable name changes as mentioned above will not change the name on your official student record. The request will be applied to the name on your graduation application for diploma printing purposes. Learn more about how to change your name for documents at UBC.

How to add your preferred or chosen name to your diploma

After you've submitted your graduation application, please email the Vancouver graduation department at graduation@ubc.ca, or the Okanagan graduation department at gradapps.okanagan@ubc.ca. In your email, include the following:

  • Legal first name
  • Preferred or chosen name
  • Legal last name
  • UBC student number

Other acceptable changes to your diploma

  • An unused first name may be abbreviated to initials, such as "J. Mary Smith".
  • Middle names may be abbreviated to initials or omitted from the parchment.
  • If you are attending UBC under a married name, your birth name can be printed on your diploma upon presentation of appropriate ID. Your birth name can be added to your records for future reference if necessary.

Additional resources

If you have questions

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