Students may choose to use their legal name, an abbreviated variation of their legal name, or they may provide a preferred (chosen) name when they apply for graduation. The university reserves the right to remove a diploma name if it is used inappropriately or for misrepresentation. Ohio University recommends graduates who plan to live or work outside of the United States to use their legal name on their diploma. There could be complications if a student’s diploma is not consistent with other legal documents such as a transcript, passport, or birth certificate. It is important you keep your preferred name updated in your My OHIO Student Center. If you have changed your legal name, you should complete a Personal Data Validation Form to the Office of the University Registrar, Graduation Division, with supporting documentation. You will need to submit a copy of one of the following:
- Passport
- Court action document
- Divorce decree (the appropriate page of the decree)
- Marriage certificate
- Valid driver's license and social security card (you must submit both)
- Federal or state issued identification card and a social security card (you must submit both)
You may submit documents to the Office of the University Registrar, Graduation Division, Chubb Hall, Athens, Ohio 45701, or fax the information to the Office of the University Registrar, Attention Graduation, at 740.593.0216.
Regional campus students who need to change their name may present appropriate documentation to the student services office at their regional campus, mail the information to the above address, or fax the information to the above fax number.
