During your time at New York University or following graduation, you may need to change your personal information with our offices. This might include changing your legal name, gender identity, or social security number.

We’ve provided helpful step-by-step instructions for making such changes.

Learn more about how to change your:

Legal/Primary Name

To change your legal or primary name, you need to follow a few simple steps.

Fill out the Change of Student Information form and submit it with one of the following documents that indicate the legal change your new name:

  • Court order
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce document
  • Birth certificate
  • Passport

The form and document can be submitted in a number of ways, including:

Please note: If you submit your documents by fax, mail, or from a non-NYU email address, they must each be notarized.

Chosen/Preferred Name

If you have another name you prefer to use other than your legal name, you can change this information in NYU Albert.

Changing to a chosen/preferred name in NYU Albert:

  • In the Personal Information section, click the Edit Preferred Name link
  • Click the Add a New Name button
  • Select preferred from the “name type” dropdown menu
  • Enter your preferred name
  • Click save

Please note: 

  • You must enter a first and last chosen/preferred name. A middle name is optional.
  • The date for the name to take effect will default to the day’s date you enter it. This can be changed if desired.

To edit a chosen/preferred name:

  • Click “edit” next to the preferred name
  • Edit the name as above steps
  • Click save

If your chosen/preferred name is not displaying correctly in your NYU Gmail:

  • Click the setting gear in Gmail (top right, gear icon)
  • Click the “accounts” tap
  • Click on the “edit info” link to the right of “Send email as.” You can edit how your name displays through the popup.

Diploma Name

By default, your "primary" name (as it is entered in Albert and as it appears on your NYU transcript) is printed on your diploma. You can elect to have your chosen/preferred name (as it is entered in Albert) printed on your diploma by updating the Diploma Options page in your Student Center before your conferral date. 

  • Important Note:  Although NYU considers the diploma to be a ceremonial document, some countries may require your diploma (along with your official transcript) for various legal, immigration, and employment purposes. Choosing to print your chosen/preferred name on your diploma may result in unforeseen complications due to the discrepancy between your diploma and other documents (e.g. transcript, passport, birth certificate, etc.) that contain your "primary" (i.e. legal) name. To avoid such complications, we recommend printing your "primary" name on your diploma if you plan to live, study, or work outside of the United States.
  • Important Note for Students of Professional Schools (e.g. Law, Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry):  Before opting to print your chosen/preferred name on your NYU diploma, please take into consideration that professional licensing requirements often require you to use your legal name. For example, State Bar application and licensure and federal employment/guidelines require the use of the legal name. Therefore, not using your "primary" legal name on a diploma may result in the rejection, delay, scrutiny, and/or requirements for additional proof of identification associated with any applications for employment, licensure, credentialing, visa applications, and/or other processes that require verification of your education records.

Alumni Name

As an alumnus of New York University, you can change your name because of marriage, divorce, naturalization, or a court-ordered change of name.

To request a change to your alumni name, you should fill out the Change of Student Information form and submit it with one of the following documents that indicate the legal change to your new name:

  • Court order
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce document
  • Birth certificate
  • Passport

Documentation should include both your old and your new name.

The form and supporting documents can be submitted in a number of ways, including:

Please note: If you submit your documents by fax, mail, or from a non-NYU email address, they must each be notarized.

To receive a diploma with your new name on it, please follow the instructions provided on our Diploma page.

Social Security Number

To update your Social Security number you must visit StudentLink in person and bring a Change of Student Information form and your original Social Security Card.

If you are an employee at NYU, you must contact HR to make the change in their system.

If you have any questions regarding this policy or are unable to make it to StudentLink, please call 212-998-4280 for alternatives.

Legal Sex

  • Students who update their legal sex may have it updated in Albert by submitting one of the following documents that reflect the new gender marker in addition to the Change of Student Information form.
    • A letter of support signed by a physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist, life counselor, social worker, or other professional on their letterhead 
    • A birth certificate or court order
    • A valid driver's license or passport
  • Definitions
    • Legal Sex: Legal sex refers to the gender marker listed on government-issued identification and documents.
  • Please contact us via email or at (212) 998-4280, with any questions regarding this policy and process.

Disclaimer: This policy does not form a contract of any kind and may be modified, changed, altered, or rescinded by NYU at its discretion.

Gender Identity

You can indicate and edit your gender identity in NYU Albert under “Personal Info.” 

Contact Information in NYU Albert

You can change your address(es), phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contact information through NYU Albert.

Changes to foreign address must happen through the Office of Global Services.