Changing your name can be a difficult and lengthy process for many people, and we understand the importance of this, especially for our Transgender students. You are of course under no obligation to inform the University or the Guild of this, if you don’t want to, but the Guild are here to support you through this if you do.
Process:
The University make a distinction between legal name and students’ preferred*names (your chosen name). It is easier to update a preferred name than legal name on student records, without supporting evidence.
The University do provide some information on this page about changing your name. You’ll find on this page that it says you are required to provide legal documentation in order to change your name, but we understand that not all students will have this.
If you want to update your preferred name on University records, we would recommend speaking to a Wellbeing Adviser, who are aware of the processes and can be clear which name (legal or chosen) will be used in which circumstances. For example, your legal name may need to be used on certain documents e.g. degree certificates etc.
If you would like to arrange to speak to a University Well Being Adviser, you can do so here. We at the Guild also have our own advice service, who can support you through this process, if needs be. You can contact them at guildadvice@liv.ac.uk. *Please note: The University uses the term “Preferred name” in much of their guidance, which diminishes a trans person’s chosen name. We have included it here for clarities sake in guiding students through this process, to ensure that this can be made as simple as possible. This in no way reflects the Guild’s views on chosen names, and we do not seek to condone the use of such a phrase in this context.