Overview
The process for changing your name at CU Boulder depends on your role (student, staff, faculty, etc.) and affects multiple systems - some even outside CU (e.g. benefits providers). There is no single place to update your name across all platforms, which can cause confusion and frustration for our community. This project aims to document, evaluate and improve the name change processes for CU Boulder faculty, staff and students.
Phase 1
Throughout 2025, subject matter experts from Human Resources, the Office of the Registrar, and the Office of Information Technology collaborated to document the current name change process at CU Boulder and identify opportunities for improvement. This initial phase produced several important outcomes:
- A thorough mapping of the existing name change processes
- A strengthened common understanding among key units involved in name change workflows
- A new content approach on high-traffic CU sites where community members look for name change information
- A refined help request form where CU community members can report issues they have updating their names in university systems
- A cross-office workflow to address issues reported via the help request form
Phase 2
During Phase 2, the project team will deepen partnerships across offices and continue engaging subject matter experts to guide strategic decisions and system enhancements. Our work depends on partnerships with leadership teams, the advisory committee, as well as ongoing efforts from staff council around name change at CU.
A key focus of Phase 2 will be mapping downstream integrations from our source systems and addressing specific user experiences with the process alongside OIT’s User Experience team. This work will help us better understand the complexities involved, raise awareness among campus partners, and develop an actionable plan to improve the overall name change process.
Support
As we work to improve the process, visit the following websites for assistance changing your name:
- HR Preferred and Legal Name Change
- Office of the Registrar: Preferred & Legal Name
- Center for Cultural Connections & Community: LGBTQ+ Name Resources
- Need extra help changing your name in CU systems? Fill out OIT's Name Change Help Request Form.
Let us know about your experience changing your name by giving us feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I update my name in CU Boulder's systems?
Changing your name at CU Boulder depends on your role (student, staff, faculty, etc.) and affects multiple systems - some even outside CU (e.g. benefits providers). There's no single place to update your name across all platforms. As CU Boulder works to improve the process, visit the following sites for assistance:
- HR Preferred and Legal Name Change
- Office of the Registrar: Preferred & Legal Name
- Center for Cultural Connections & Community: LGBTQ+ Name Resources
- Need extra help changing your name in CU systems? Fill out OIT's Name Change Help Request Form.
Let us know about your experience changing your name by giving us feedback.
