Change of Given Name(s) and/or
Gender Identity Information
Background Information
The University’s Office of Registrarial Services produces various kinds of records based on personal information supplied
by a student or outside agency. These records include but are not limited to ID cards, class lists, student directories,
transcripts, degrees and scholarship information (“University Records”). The University‘s Student Information System
(SIS) requires a person’s first (given name) and last (family name) which together with the student ID number is used by
the SIS to identify the student.
Procedures
This form cannot be used to change a student’s family name. If you would like to request a change to your family name
for University Records, complete the “Change of Legal Name Request Form” on the Enrolment Services Downloads page.
Students who wish to legally change their given name(s) and/or family name should consult the Government of Ontario
website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/change-name.
Students who wish to change their given name(s) and/or gender identity for the purposes of University Records must
normally complete the Change of Given Name(s) and/or Gender Identity form and submit it in person with government-
issued photo identification to the Office of Registrarial Services, 3rd floor, University Centre. Photo ID is required to match
the student record to the person making the request.
The University reserves the right to refuse to accept preferred given names that are not compatible with the SIS such as
given names which are symbols or are based in whole or part of numerical sequences. The University will retain a
historical record of all given names as part of the Registrar’s student record.
The preferred given name(s) will be used by
the University in future correspondence to the student and about the student with external parties.
Limitations
Students who use this form will change their given name(s) and/or gender identity for University of Guelph purposes only.
This form does not legally change your given name(s) and/or gender identity. External institutions including but not limited
to OSAP, banks, RESP providers, potential employers, other universities, passports, police records check (required for
some courses and student placements), Canada Revenue Agency (income tax receipts) and student health insurance
providers may not accept or recognize the new preferred given name(s) and/or gender identity. Students understand and
agree that inconsistency between the preferred given name(s) and/or gender identity used by the University and the given
name(s) and/or gender identity used by external organizations may cause the student unexpected difficulty and it is solely
the student's responsibility to resolve such difficulties.
Students may wish to consider changing their name back to their formal legal name prior to graduation (by the deadline
given for diploma name changes) in order to avoid some of the problems outlined above.
Other Considerations
Student ID card: Your Student ID card must match your name in the SIS. You will be issued a new ID card when you
submit the Change of Given Name(s) and/or Gender Identity form to Enrolment Services. No fee is required.
Email address: If you would like to change your email address after submitting your form, please contact the CCS Help
Centre at 58888help@uoguelph.ca
Did you know? The University of Guelph has a Sexual and Gender Diversity Advisor who provides one-on-one confidential
advising related to sexual orientation and gender identity and assists LGBTQ2IA+ students with navigating the University
system. You can connect with them at 519-824-4120, extension 54166 or sgd@uoguelph.ca
