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Name and Gender Marker Changes

BruinCard and Name Change Information for UCLA Students

Preferred First Name on BruinCard

Students with a registered preferred first name will now see only their preferred first name and legal last name on the front of their BruinCard. The legal name will no longer appear on the back of the card.

This change reflects years of advocacy by UCLA students, staff, and faculty, including members of:

  • Transgender UCLA Pride
  • Queer Alliance
  • Committee on LGBTQ Affairs
  • Office of the Dean of Students
  • UCPD
  • Campus Counsel
  • BruinCard Center
  • Undocumented Students Program
  • UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center

Card Reissue Option

There is no requirement to reissue existing BruinCards. However, students with a registered preferred first name may request one free card exchange to receive the updated format.

⚠️ Note: Preferred name printing is not yet available for all BruinCard types (e.g., medical BruinCards). Additionally, the new format may not be valid for certain HR processes, such as I-9 verification.

📄 More info: BruinCard Lived Name FAQ

Legal Name Change at UCLA

If you have legally changed your name, you must update your university records. Follow the instructions on the Registrar’s website:
🔗 Legal Name Change – UCLA Registrar

Legal Name Change in California

Court-Ordered Name Change Process

  1. Complete court forms: NC-100, NC-110, NC-120, NC-130, and CM-010
  2. Make two copies of all forms
  3. File with the court clerk (filing fee: $435-$450 in LA County as of July 2017)
  4. Publish the Order to Show Cause (NC-120) in a newspaper for 4 consecutive weeks
  5. Attend your court date and bring NC-130 and proof of publication
  6. Receive your Decree Changing Name (get certified copies for ID/document updates)

https://transequality.org/documents

For assistance navigating a legal name change as it impacts UCLA documents and records, please contactStudent Legal Services.

Preferred First Name at UCLA

UCLA students may request a preferred first name to appear in:

  • MyUCLA
  • Class and grade rosters
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • BruinCard

⚠️ Legal name will still be used for official documents (e.g., diplomas, transcripts, payroll, and financial aid).

How to Set a Preferred First Name

  1. Log in to MyUCLA
  2. Go to Settings and submit your preferred name
  3. Approval may take up to 3 business days

📄 More info: Preferred First Name – UCLA Registrar
📧 Contact: Kate Jakway Kelly

Changing Your Name on UCLA Email

To update the name that appears when you send emails:

  1. Log in to your UCLA Gmail
  2. Click the gear icon → Settings
  3. Go to Accounts and Import
  4. Under Send Mail As, click Edit Info
  5. Enter your preferred name and click Make Default

To change your UCLA Logon ID (the part before the “@”), contact: 📧 Vanessa Aviva Gonzalez-Siegel, Director, LGBTQ Campus Resource Center – vgonzalez@lgbtq.ucla.edu

BruinCard: How to Get a Card with Your Preferred/Lived Name

  1. Register your preferred name via MyUCLA
  2. Wait one business day after approval
  3. Visit the BruinCard Center to get your updated card
    • You may also update your photo at this time
    • One free exchange is available for eligible students

⚠️ Specialized ID cards (e.g., medical) currently cannot be updated with a lived name. UCLA is working to expand this option.

📅 Make an appointment: BruinCard Center

BruinCard Updates for Students with a Preferred/Lived Name

If you have an approved preferred/lived name on file and present your current BruinCard, the BruinCard Center will issue you a new card with your updated name at no cost.

Lost BruinCard?

If your BruinCard has been lost:

  • You will be charged the standard $25 lost/replacement fee
  • However, the $5 exchange fee is waived for students updating their card to reflect a lived name
  • You must present your most recent BruinCard (if available)

Important Notes

  • BruinCard Center staff are aware that there is no fee for a lived name update
  • If you encounter a staff member who is unfamiliar with this policy, ask to speak with Jenny Fernandez
  • If you experience any issues and feel comfortable sharing, please contact:
    📧 Anishika Spann – aspann@finance.ucla.edu

FAQ

Can I use a preferred first name?
Yes. Effective January 5, 2015, UCLA students may request that a preferred first name be entered in their student record through the Settings tool in MyUCLA. Once the request has been approved by the Registrar's Office (which may take up to 3 business days, or longer during high-volume periods), the preferred name will be viewable across different campus applications once departments determine best practices to adapt their use of it.

Will my preferred first name appear on all UCLA records?
Not all, but most. Class and grade rosters only display last name and preferred first name or legal first name, if no preferred name is on file. Eligible academic documents, such as University diplomas and official transcripts, will also display preferred name. A student's legal name will continue to be used for specific university records, documents, and business processes, where deemed necessary or required (for example, payroll and where a legally binding agreement is required).

Are there any first name restrictions?
The University reserves the right to remove or deny the preferred first name request if used inappropriately. This includes, but is not limited to, names using foul or inappropriate language or names submitted to avoid a legal obligation or to create misrepresentation.

Does a preferred first name affect my legal name?
No. An approved preferred name does not change a student’s legal name. Students who wish to change their legal name should use the Legal Name Change Form through the Registrar's Office.

For questions about UCLA’s Preferred Name Process, please visithttp://www.registrar.ucla.edu/Student-Records/Personal-Information/Preferred-First-Name or contactKate Jakway Kelly.

Name Change & Preferred Name Processes at DGSOM

How to Request a Preferred First Name for students at the David Geffen School of Medicine

Students at the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) may request that a preferred first name be used on certain student records.

Steps to Request a Preferred Name:

  1. Log in to MyUCLA and use the Settings tool to submit your preferred first name.
  2. The request will be reviewed by the main campus Registrar’s Office (approval may take up to 3 business days or longer during peak periods).
  3. Once approved, your preferred name will appear in:
    • MyUCLA features
    • Class and grade rosters
    • Campus directory (where applicable)

⚠️ Your legal name will still be used for official university records and processes (e.g., financial services, official verifications, transcripts, diplomas).

Important Notes:

  • The University reserves the right to deny or remove a preferred name if it is deemed inappropriate (e.g., offensive language, misrepresentation).
  • A preferred name does not change your legal name. To update your legal name, use the Legal Name Change or Correction form.


Next Step for DGSOM Students

Once your preferred name is approved by the main campus Registrar, forward the confirmation email (with your preferred name) to theDGSOM Registrar to update your School of Medicine records.

Support for ID Badge Name Changes

The Equity and Diversity Inclusion (EDI) Office at DGSOM is available to assist medical students with name changes on ID badges, as this process is still being finalized.

📧 For support, email:DGSOMEDI@mednet.ucla.edu
Please include:

  • A brief description of your request
  • Your urgency level
  • Whether you’d like to request an appointment with Dr. Daniel Kozman, Dr. Kathy Brown, or Dr. Lynn Gordon

Gender Marker Changes

Students may update their gender marker in university records through the Settings tool in MyUCLA.