Name change question: College diploma

I never even considered this. Is this even something that can be done?

I probably won't - but I also don't have a job where I would want/need to display my diploma for any reason. If you have a job like being a lawyer or a Dr I can see where it would be useful.

No, you cannot change it. At least not with my university. You won't run into issues because anything you would need it for specifically asks "Have you been known by any other names". you can provide your marriage certificate if needed, too.

Nope, my diploma will forever have my maiden name. Anybody hiring knows there's a chance you got married and changed your name. They can account for that

I never changed my diploma. I haven't had any issues with jobs being able to verify my identity or degree.

No, I don't know anyone who has done this. I work in healthcare so I figured if it was done somebody I know would have done it.

Thanks guys! I figured it was ok to leave since applications ask for prior names, just wanted to make sure because it came up on most of the name change checklists I found.

You can probably let the schools know about the name change, but I don't think your whole diploma needs to be changed

I won't be changing my diploma, but I will be changing it on my professional certification. You should be fine without changing it on your diploma or attempting to change it!

I agree with QueSeraSera. I believe you can change your name in the alumni records, but I don't think your degree needs to (or can be) changed.

I don't know if you can even do that. But when I renewed my RN license this year I changed my name on it no problem.

I never heard of this.. for professional licenses I have (my CPA license will have to change to my married name) but I never even thought about my college degrees. I would find it really weird if a college allowed that.

My university is actually making me put my married name because it will be my legal name at the time of matriculation. Most universities make you do maiden name though

@Margaret, I already have a degree. I was asking about retroactively changing it, since it was recommended on some checklists I saw.

@Rica, totally agree with that sentiment. That's why I was asking, I don't want it changed, I just wanted to hear from others that it wasn't needed since I had seen it recommended several times on checklists.

Apparently some of those checklists are excessive in their recommendations. I also saw a recommendation that you change your name at the post office. When I went to buy stamps for Christmas cards today, I asked the clerk if I should do that. He looked at me like I was nuts.

You can call and them reprint it very easily. I know a girl who did this after her wedding and then after her divorce

Not sure what schools everyone else went to, but at my undergraduate and graduate school, you can change your name after the fact with a court order or marriage license. Ask your college if you can change it before getting into the pros and cons of doing so.

I work in health care and the person that does the insurance paperwork for me (credentialing) told me that I needed to do it too!! I had never heard of changing a person's diploma before that!! I'm not going to do that though-- that's one of the reasons that I made my maiden name my middle name. Kind of a headache but I'm glad I did it. Seems to have meant a lot to my partner.

You can and should change your name with the university, but no. They do not send you a new diploma with your new last name. No one looks at your physical diploma after graduation, so it really doesn't matter.

I agree with @Rachel. All my diplomas, awards and certifications as an attorney are in my maiden name hanging on my wall. No one has ever questioned it. Most people expect a woman to change her last name when she is married so they just accept these diplomas are in my maiden name. But I do have to update the State Bar with my name change.

This is the craziest thing I've ever heard

I didn't change the name on my degree, but I did change it on my professional licenses.