Name and Legal Name FAQs
What is the difference between Legal Name and Name?
All students are required to provide their legal name on application to the University of Regina. Your legal name is the name found on your government issued identification. Some individuals use this name in their everyday life. For example, your driver’s license has the name Sage and Sage is the name you use. Others use a name in their everyday life that is different from their legal name. Maybe it’s a shortened version of their legal name (Sue instead of Susan) or a name that is more reflective of their identity as an individual (Mikela vs Michael).
So the difference is that your legal name is the name that is found on your government issued identification and your name is the name you use in your everyday life which might be the same or different from your legal name.
At the University of Regina, we allow students to use a first and middle name that is different from their legal name.
How will my legal name be used?
The University of Regina has a legislative and/or legal requirement to maintain and issue some documents in the legal name of an individual. These documents and processes include:
- Tax information
- Transcripts (official and unofficial)
- Confirmation of Enrolment
- Financial aid reporting
- The Saskatchewan Graduate Retention Program
- Parchment documents
- IRCC and student visa reporting
- Payroll and employment records
- Collection of outstanding financial accounts
If I provide a name that is different from my legal name, how will that be used?
If you are using a name that is different from your legal name, it will be used in the following processes:
- Correspondence from the University (text, email, and postal)
- Student ID Card
- Class lists
- UR Courses
- UR Self-Service
- Advising reports
- Advisor by Conclusive (the University’s degree audit and program planning system)
- Student information shared by agreement with the University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU)
Can I request an exception for the use of my legal name in any of these processes?
You may request an exception from the Registrar’s Office for the use of your legal name on the following documents:
- Confirmation of Enrolment
- Parchment documents
To request an exception, contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@uregina.ca. Your documents will need to be prepared manually and may require a fee to be paid.
Do I need to change my middle name?
No, you can leave your middle name as is.
How do I change my name?
If you are legally changing your name, you will follow the “Legal Name Change Process” found in the Legal Name and Name Change Policy.
If you are making a change without legal documentation, you will follow the “Name Change Process” found in the Legal Name and Name Change Policy.
Can I use my traditional Indigenous name?
Yes, you can use your traditional Indigenous name by following the “Name Change Process” found in the Legal Name and Name Change Policy. If you would like a copy of your parchment produced with your traditional Indigenous name, contact the Registrar’s Office for further information at UR.graduation@uregina.ca.