How to: Update Your Diploma Name

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At Brooklyn College, you have the option to personalize your diploma by choosing a diploma name that’s different from your legal first and/or middle name. Whether you want to include a middle initial, drop one, or reflect the name you go by every day, it’s up to you!

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

Legal Name

This is the name that appears on your government-issued ID, social security card, and birth certificate. It’s the official name Brooklyn College uses in your CUNYfirst record, transcript, and any formal documents.

Want to update it? You’ll need to submit legal documentation to the Office of the Registrar. For information on how to update your legal name, please review these resources.

Preferred Name

Your preferred name is how you’d like to be known around campus whether it’s a nickname, middle name, or something that better reflects your identity. It shows up on class rosters, your BC student email account, in campus communications, and in many student-facing systems, such as CUNYfirst, DegreeWorks, and Schedule Builder.

Just keep in mind: it doesn’t replace your legal name on things like your transcript, diploma.

For information on how to update your legal name, please review these resources.

Diploma Name

Your diploma is a celebration of you, and we want the name on it to reflect that! You can request a diploma name that’s different from your legal name – maybe you want to include a middle name or use the name you go by every day.

Just note: it won’t affect your official records, and using a name that’s too different from your legal one might cause issues with things like licensing or jobs down the line. See below for more information.

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.

Request your Diploma Name Here

This form must be submitted by June 1, 2025 for consideration. It may only be submitted once.

When should I expect my diploma?

Please expect communication regarding your official graduation/degree conferral and diploma from our Degree Audit team by early-mid July 2025. All emails are sent to your Brooklyn College student email account.

Please expect communication regarding your official graduation/degree conferral and diploma from our Degree Audit team by early-mid October 2025. All emails are sent to your Brooklyn College student email account.

Need support?

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