Student Record Name Changes Procedure

University Policy

Title

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Procedure for Official Student Record Name Changes

Introduction

Purpose

This procedure outlines the requirements and process for "name" changes on official student records for enrolled or previously enrolled students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ("UNC-Chapel Hill" or "University").

Procedure

The University's Name Changes Policy governs name changes associated with the University's official student record. Information on applicants and newly admitted students is controlled by the Undergraduate, Graduate, or Professional School Admissions Offices. 

Data from the admissions offices are under the University Registrar's jurisdiction of the University Registrar on the first day of classes in the term for which the applicant was admitted. Therefore, any new students wishing to amend and/or change their official student record “name” should be directed to the Office of the University Registrar beginning with the first day of classes.

Students may request a name change to their official record using the University's Name/Social Security Number (SSN) Change Form and following one of the procedures below. The Office of the University Registrar requires that the identity of the student or former student be authenticated before processing a name change on the official student record. 

• “Name” changes may be requested in person at the Office of the University Registrar.
  Important: Requests submitted in person require presentation of photo identification and submission of a signed UNC-Chapel Hill Name Change Form.
• If a student or former student requests a “name” change through the mail, the student must provide a letter requesting the name change (listing the name as it currently appears on our records, as well as the new name they wish to replace it with). This letter must contain the student’s signature and an original notarized seal. Faxes are accepted only if the notary’s seal is stamped, not embossed, on the document, so that the seal is entirely visible to the receiver of the fax.
• Departmental Registrars, or other departmental representatives, authorized to complete student record name changes may continue to complete UNC-Chapel Hill Name Change processes. However, the departmental representative must follow the same authentication policies. They must require photo identification from students making an in-person “name” change request, or must obtain an original notarized seal if the request is received by mail. The departmental representative will then attest to the verification of the student’s identity by signing, noting their department, and dating the UNC-Chapel Hill Name Change Form before submitting it to the Office of the University Registrar.  The appropriate dean’s office is notified upon completion of the official student record name change.

An exception to the above criteria may be made in cases where the student’s name is misspelled due to a typographical error, such as an upper- or lowercase error.

Name Change Form

• Official name changes on the student record require the University's NAME/SSN Change Form (PDF)

Related Requirements

External Regulations

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

University Policies, Standards, and Procedures

• Name Changes Policy
• Policies and Procedures Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (“FERPA”)
• Information Security Policy
• University Directory

Publication Details

Issuing Officer: Associate Provost and University Registrar

Effective Date: July 23, 2026

Next Review Date: 

Additions/Revisions: Content from the previous University Policy Memorandum # 22: Name Change Policy.