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Student Name

George Fox requires students to use their legal names in university data systems. This insures that enrollment verifications, transcripts, and diplomas all reflect the legal name for each student.

Diploma Name

The university recognizes that a diploma is an official document signifying the completion of a student's education. As such, this document must reflect the legal name of a student. Some variations are allowable based on student preference (i.e., inclusion of middle name or initial, suffixes). Nonetheless, the name placed on the diploma must reflect an acceptable form of the student's legal name at the time of degree conferral. Diplomas for previously conferred degrees cannot be reprinted following a legal name change.

Preferred Name for University Communications

The university does encourage the use of a preferred first name (a.k.a., nickname) so we can better personalize our communication. The registrar's office maintains such records for preferred name; updates can be made by contacting the office with the request.

ID Card Name

The student ID card is considered an official document and, as such, must display the student's legal name. Therefore, the use of a preferred first name (a.k.a., nickname) on a student's ID card is not possible. For more information on the use of student ID cards, see the policy related to their use, care and replacement.

Name Changes

We recognize that, occasionally, it is necessary to change one's name. Students can request a name change through the registrar's office. George Fox University requires that a student present a Social Security card^† displaying the new name to staff in the Registrar's Office. Upon verification, staff will update a student's name in the data system for use throughout the university.

Name changes for alumni should be directed to Alumni Relations.

^† While we do recognize that there are other recognized documents commonly used for verification of one's legal name, the Social Security card alone is recognized for use by the university due to the prolific use of legal tax name with official documents (i.e., 1098-T forms) and the recognition that the Social Security card should match these other verification documents.