This is completely optional and only affects the name printed on your diploma – it won’t change your name in CUNYfirst or on official records.

Just a heads-up: if you’ve added a preferred name to your student record, it won’t automatically carry over to your diploma. Be sure to submit your diploma name if you’d like it to appear!

Types of Names in Your Student Record

Key Things to Know Before You Submit

• No action needed? No problem. If your legal name is correct in CUNYfirst and that’s what you want on your diploma, you’re all set—no need to fill out this form.
• Preferred name ≠ diploma name. Even if you’ve added a preferred name to your student record, it won’t be used for your diploma unless you specifically request it here.
• First and middle name only. You can update your first and/or middle name or initial – whichever feels right for you.
• Last name stays the same. Your last name must match your legal last name as listed in CUNYfirst.
• Diploma-only change. This update is just for your diploma. It won’t change how your name appears on your academic records.

Take note!

Choosing a name for your diploma is a personal decision, but it’s important to consider how it might impact you down the road. Using a name that differs from your legal name can lead to complications in certain situations:

• Professional Licensing: Some licensing boards may require that your diploma name matches your legal name and ID.
• Employment Verification: Employers often request both your diploma and transcript, expecting consistent names across documents.
• International Use (Apostille, visas, etc.): Mismatched names can delay international processes or authentication.
• Name Discrepancies: Any mismatch between your diploma and legal documents may lead to verification delays.
• Official Records: Your legal name will still appear on your official transcript and in CUNYfirst.

Take a moment to consider whether these situations might apply to you before submitting your diploma name request.

Ready to Request a Diploma Name?

If you’d like a different name on your diploma, enter it exactly as you wish it to appear using the form below.

Please note: Submitting this form does not change the way your name appears in CUNYfirst, on official documents (like transcripts), or in Commencement materials (such as the program booklet). It only affects the name printed on your diploma after your degree is officially awarded.

To access this form, you must sign in using your CUNYfirst login credentials (e.g., firstname.lastname##@login.cuny.edu).

Do not use your student email address (e.g., firstname.lastname##@bcmail.cuny.edu) — it will not grant you access and you will not be able to submit this form. 

When should I expect my diploma?

Need support?

For any questions on diploma names, please contact us at registrar@brooklyn.cuny.edu. We are here to help!

Update Your Telephone Number in CUNYfirst

Current students should update their preferred name in CUNYfirst. To update your preferred name in CUNYfirst, follow the steps below.

• Login to CUNYfirst.
• Click on the Student Center tile.

• Click on the Profile tile.

• Click on Contact Details.

Add a New Phone Number

• Click on the plus sign under Phone.

• Fill out the Country Code (if adding an international number) and Phone Number fields.
  • If this is your preferred phone number, click on the Preferred checkbox.

• Click Save.

Your phone number will now be added to your record.

Update an Existing Phone Number

• Select the phone number that you want to edit.

• Change the number or mark it as preferred. Then, click Save.

Update Your Preferred Name via the Personal Data Request Form

If desired, you can submit the Personal Data Change Request Form, to update your preferred name. You must complete the TELEPHONE NUMBER CHANGE/CORRECTION section of the form.

The completed and signed form can be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center at 102 West Quad Center. The request will be processed within 5-7 business days.

Questions?

For questions on this process or to follow up on your request, reach out to studentrecord@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

Even if you are a student, CUNY employees (faculty or staff), must contact their main campus’ HR office to follow the proper procedure to update the date of birth on file.

To update your date of birth, follow the steps below:

• Download the Personal Data Change Request Form.
• Complete all fields under the Required Information section.

• Complete all fields under the DATE OF BIRTH CORRECTION section.

If the appropriate documentation is not submitted with this form, the request will not be accepted or processed.

Required Documentation

Two original proofs are required. If there is not enough documentation to support your name change request, the request will not be accepted or processed.

Original documentation, not copies, must be submitted.

• Proof #1:

Submit Your Request

• Your completed Personal Data Change Request Form should be submitted in person to the Enrollment Services Center in 102 West Quad Center.

• Requests will be processed within 5-7 business days.

Questions?

For questions on this process or to follow up on your request, reach out to studentrecord@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

Even if you are a student, CUNY employees (faculty or staff), must contact their main campus’ HR office to follow the proper procedure to update the Social Security Number on file.

To update your Social Security Number, follow the steps below:

• Download the Personal Data Change Request Form.
• Complete all fields under the Required Information section.

• Complete all fields under the SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER CHANGE/CORRECTION section.

If the appropriate documentation is not submitted with this form, the request will not be accepted or processed.

Required Documentation

Two original proofs are required. If there is not enough documentation to support your name change request, the request will not be accepted or processed.

Original documentation, not copies, must be submitted.

• Proof #1:

Submit Your Request

• Your completed Personal Data Change Request Form and original documentation should be submitted in person to the Enrollment Services Center in 102 West Quad Center.
• Original documentation, not copies, must be submitted. Copies of your documentation will be made at the time of submission and your original documents will be returned to you.
• Requests will be processed within 5-7 business days.

Questions?

For questions on this process or to follow up on your request, reach out to studentrecord@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

Gender may only be updated for students that have attended from Spring 2013 and onward.

To update your gender, follow the steps below:

• Download the Personal Data Change Request Form.
• Complete all fields under the Required Information section.

• Select one of the options under the GENDER CODING section. Options available are:
  • Female (F)
  • Male (M)
  • Gender Nonconforming (G)
  • A Gender Not Listed (L)
  • Non Specified (U)
  • Transgender (T)
  • Non-binary (X)

Submit Your Request

• Your completed Personal Data Change Request Form should be submitted in person to the Enrollment Services Center in 102 West Quad Center.

• Requests will be processed within 5-7 business days.

Questions?

For questions on this process or to follow up on your request, reach out to studentrecord@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

Even if you are a student, CUNY employees (faculty or staff), must contact their main campus’ HR office to follow the proper procedure to update legal or preferred names.

Brooklyn College staff and faculty can refer to these resources for guidance on name changes.

Types of Names in Your Student Record

To update your information, follow the steps below:

• Download the Personal Data Change Request Form.
• Complete all fields under the Required Information section.

• Complete all fields under the DOCUMENTED (LEGAL) NAME CHANGE/CORRECTION OF DOCUMENTED NAME section.

If the appropriate documentation is not submitted with this form, the request will not be accepted or processed.

Required Documentation

Two original proofs are required. If there is not enough documentation to support your name change request, the request will not be accepted or processed.

Original documentation, not copies, must be submitted.

Important Notes

• This request cannot be submitted or processed for CUNY employees/faculty, even if they are students. If you are a CUNY employee or faculty, you must reach out to the the HR office of main campus to submit your request.
• Two official documents are required.
• Passports may not count as both Proof #1 and Proof #2.
• Documents that do not show the new, legal name will not be accepted as proof.
• Middle names are not displayed in CUNYfirst and do not appear on official printed documents with the exception of diplomas.

Graduating Students & Alumni: Name Changes on Diplomas

Diplomas reflect your legal name, not your preferred name. If you’re about to graduate, you can request a Diploma Name that’s different from your legal or preferred name (just for the diploma).

If you’re an alum and you’ve legally changed your name, you’ll need to submit a legal name change request first, then order a replacement diploma with your updated name.

Submit Your Request

• Your completed Personal Data Change Request Form and original documentation should be submitted in person to the Enrollment Services Center in 102 West Quad Center.
• Original documentation, not copies, must be submitted. Copies of your documentation will be made at the time of submission and your original documents will be returned to you.
• Requests will be processed within 5-7 business days.

Questions?

For questions on this process or to follow up on your request, reach out to studentrecord@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

Whatever you list as your preferred name on your CUNYfirst profile is reflected in all our systems. At Brooklyn College, we understand that the name you go by is an important part of your identity, and it might not always match your legal name. That’s why students can request a preferred name to be used across many parts of campus life.

For example, Jonathan might go by John, or Mary Jane might prefer just Jane. In some cases, a student like Jennifer may choose to go by David to better reflect their gender identity, even if they haven’t legally changed their name yet.

Preferred names can appear on things like class rosters, your student ID, email address, and more. Just keep in mind: your preferred name won’t appear on official documents like your transcript or diploma.

Types of Names in Your Student Record

Use of Preferred Names on Campus

• Faculty and staff are required to consistently use students’ preferred names in all communications.
• If you submit a preferred name request in CUNYfirst it will replace the legal first name as part of the student’s CUNY Login ID and will replace the legal first name in these CUNY portal systems. If there are any issues with these systems updating, please let us know!
  • Akademos (online bookstore)
  • ALMA (library systems)
  • Blackboard
  • Brightspace
  • DegreeWorks
  • Dropbox
  • EAB Navigate
  • FACTS
  • Certain Microsoft 365 applications (such as SharePoint and Teams)
  • Schedule Builder
  • Zoom

Diploma Names

Your preferred name will not default as the name used on your diploma. Find out more information on how you can update your Diploma Name here.

Update Your Preferred Name in CUNYfirst

Students with a record in CUNYfirst can update their preferred name. If you attended Brooklyn College in Spring 2013 or later, your record should be in the system and eligible for an update. If you’re unsure if your record is in CUNYfirst, feel free to contact the Office of the Registrar.

• Login to CUNYfirst.
• Click on the Student Center tile.

• Click on the Profile tile.

• Under Names, click on the plus sign.

• Update your preferred name, then click Save.

Students may not change their preferred last name.

Your preferred name will now be listed on your account. Your name on your digital ID card, class rosters, etc. will be updated. Preferred names are not listed on college transcripts or diplomas.

Update Your Preferred Name via the Personal Data Request Form

If desired, you can submit the Personal Data Change Request Form, to update your preferred name. You must complete the PREFERRED NAME REQUEST section of the form.

The completed and signed form can be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center at 102 West Quad Center. The request will be processed within 5-7 business days.

Removing Your Preferred Name

If you need to remove your preferred name, email studentrecord@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

Questions?

For questions on this process or to follow up on your request, reach out to studentrecord@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

How to check if you have a valid photo in the system

• Open the BC Navigator app
• Tap BC Digital ID
• If your photo is missing (or shows the wrong one), submit a new photo following the steps below.

How to add your photo

There are two easy ways to add your photo:

1. Visit the Enrollment Services Center

• Located on the first floor of the West Quad Center
• Open Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Extended hours will be available at the start of the Fall semester to accommodate higher demand.
• Your photo will be taken on-site and added to your Digital ID by the next business day.

2. Submit a photo online

• Email your photo to ID@brooklyn.cuny.edu with:
  • Your full name
  • Your EMPLID
  • Your affiliation (e.g., undergraduate/graduate student, faculty, staff)
  • A JPEG/JPG photo that meets the following requirements:
    • Taken from the shoulders up
    • White or clear background
    • No hats or sunglasses (religious clothing exceptions allowed)

Need a Physical ID Instead?

If you do not have a smart phone, you can get a physical BC ID card at the Enrollment Student Center.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please call the Enrollment Student Center at 718-951-5511 or email idcenter@brooklyn.cuny.edu.