LEGAL NAME. This is also referred to as primary name. Students are required to provide their legal name at the time of application and to process official name changes while enrolled, as appropriate. Name change requests must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar with appropriate documentation. Documentation consists of a current driver’s license, official state ID card, Social Security card, court order of legal name change, current passport, or official proof of identity certified by U.S. embassy abroad or by the appropriate foreign embassy in the United States.
DIPLOMA NAME. Students indicate their diploma name on the Michigan State University Application for Graduation. The student name listed on a diploma or certificate must match the legal name as it is recorded on the student’s official university record, with the following exceptions: option of first name or initial; option of middle name or initial; inclusion of former or maiden name(s); and inclusion of proper capitalization and accentuation of name.
PREFERRED NAME. The university recognizes that many of its students use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. Students may indicate their preferred first name on the Michigan State University Application for Admission or by accessing My Profile at student.msu.edu.
Once established, preferred name will be used across university systems where possible. The university reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it is used inappropriately, including but not limited to, avoiding a legal obligation or misrepresentation. The legal name will continue to be used for certain university records, documents, and business processes such as reporting, financial aid, official transcripts, and other records where use of legal name is required by law or university policy.
Students may update or remove their preferred name via student.msu.edu or in person at the Office of the Registrar, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 150, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824-2603.