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Name Changes At MIT

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Disclaimers

Changing your name in the MIT computing systems is a little bit difficult, because there are many databases in the MIT computing systems.  How these databases update their records of your name - if they do so at all - isn't always clear or predictable.  

For the purposes of this document:
  • Legal name: one that is established or altered by an official document like a birth certificate, adoption record, legal change of name, divorce decree, or marriage certificate.
  • Common name: one that is different from someone’s legal name, but indicates how they would prefer to be addressed - Tennessee Williams rather than Thomas, for example.

Changing Your MIT Email Address

Changing your default MIT email address requires changing your Kerberos username. That said, this is not recommended in all cases, as Moira lists can be used to simulate a new email address. To create a Moira list with your preferred address, navigate to http://web.mit.edu/moira. More information on managing Moira lists can be found in http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/qQ9B and http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/LQthCQ.

Changing Your Name on Current Institute Records

For Faculty and Staff

If your legal name has changed, please refer to the documentation on the HR Name Change Notification Form page. It is also possible to use Atlas Self-Service at atlas.mit.edu to update your “directory name,” which may be a common name. The directory name is listed in most public places including the MIT Directory and the M365 Email and Calendaring system.

For Active Students

Students who wish to change their legal name should complete a legal change of name form in the Registrar’s Office, 5-117. A copy of the court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc must also be provided.

You can change your "administrative" first, middle, or last name on WebSIS at student.mit.edu under the “Biographic Information” section. The "administrative" name is used on class lists, grade sheets, and most MIT systems, including MIT Directory and Email and Calendaring systems.

For Guests and Affiliates

Temporary employees, contractors, and other affiliates who have active @mit.edu email addresses can contact Athena User Accounts if there is a need to update your name or have errors corrected.  Usually, Athena User Accounts will update an MIT Affiliate account to reflect a common and/or legal name.  If your MIT Affiliate account is sponsored by a specific person, Accounts is likely to contact that person to confirm that your name should be changed in the computer.

Changing Your Name on Your MIT ID

Students, faculty, and staff may update the name displayed on their digital and physical MIT ID. For instructions, see Changing your name on your MIT ID on the IS&T website

Changing Your Name on Your Diploma

The Office of the Registrar handles updates of diplomas and other documents for alumni. For more information, see: https://registrar.mit.edu/transcripts-records/diplomas;

Changing Your Kerberos Username

Kerberos username changes are granted in most cases. Please be aware that this is somewhat of a process, because Kerberos usernames are used to access a large number of MIT resources, including your main email address. Things can potentially break, so it is highly recommended to check your accesses with a Service Desk member after the change has been executed. If there is a need to change your MIT Kerberos username, you may request this through Athena User Accounts.

Miscellaneous

If you’re very comfortable with the Athena command-line interface, you may also want to run ‘chfn.moira’ to update your Athena name. If you’re not sure which organization at MIT is responsible for your Institute records (e.g. you are enrolled in classes at MIT and also employed here), please contact Athena User Accounts and they can provide further guidance.

Community

Documentation and information provided by the MIT Community


Last Modified:

October 15, 2024

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