If you are a member of the MIT community and have gone through the process of a name change and/or gender affirmation, you can follow the steps outlined below in order to change your that information within the MIT system. The process is different for students, alumni, and employees, so please click on the appropriate link for directions.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of the policies listed below, feel free to contact the appropriate offices and/or contact LBGTQ Services.
Name Changes
You can change your administrative first, middle, and or last name at student.mit.edu at the “Biographic Information” section. This name is used on class lists, grade sheets, IDs, and most MIT systems like the MIT Directory, email, and calendaring.
For more information and for faculty, staff, and affiliates check the Name Changes at MIT Knowledge Base article.
For legal name and gender changes in Massachusetts, see information on the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition website.
Student Financial Services
Student financial services has a FAQ page about preferred and legal names and how they're used.
Suppress Directory Information
By default, the MIT directory publicly displays the following biographical information about students: your name, course, email address, year, and MIT office address and phone number, if applicable. You can opt out of the MIT Directory at student.mit.edu by filling out the “Suppress Directory Information” pdf.
Zoom Names
You can change your display name on Zoom through an administrative name change. Some students may still have trouble with their display name and might need to work with IS&T. You may do that by emailing IS&T directly and providing the following information:
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Kerberos username
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Current display name as it appears on Zoom
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Exact name you would like displayed
Kerberos
You can change your kerberos name through an administrative name change or a legal name change. Find out more information on how to do this on The Knowledge Base: Can I Change My Kerberos Name?
Registrar - Name Changes
Students have the ability to change their preferred name or legal name. To learn more about how to change it please go to Registrar's Office - Name Changes Webpage and check the forms/requirements.
Registrar - Legal Sex Marker Change
Gender Identity Initiative (GII)
The Gender Identity Initiative (GII) aims to identify and implement changes to MIT systems that will improve inclusive representation of gender identities while protecting individual privacy, enabling greater autonomy, and meeting legal requirements. This includes legal sex, gender identity, name, and pronouns.
Given the complexity of MIT’s student and staff systems and the sensitivity of gender identity information, the GII is approaching the project in phases.
- Phase One (summer 2022) focused on how the Institute collects, stores, uses, and protects gender and sex data.
- Phase Two (fall 2022/winter 2023) is examining personal pronouns, forms of address, and legal/directory names.
If you have any questions you can go to the Gender Identity Initiative page or email them at: giiMIT@mit.edu.
ID Cards
MIT ID Cards can use preferred names for students and employees. For more specific information for how request new ID cards to reflect your preferred name please refer to MIT Atlas Service Center link on Preferred Names.
Alumnx
MIT can change an alumnx's name if there is a legal name change documentation. For more information check the Registrar's Office Name Change page on their website.
Diploma & Graduation
Changes to the way your first and middle names appear on your diploma can be made within the degree application without going through a legal name change. You would just need to change your name in WebSIS. It is your responsibility to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date. To read how to have the name you would like on your diploma please go to the Registrar's website here: https://registrar.mit.edu/transcripts-records/diplomas
You can also keep your legal name on your diploma but have your preferred name read out loud at graduation. To learn more about that please email are Philip Caudillo (philipc@mit.edu).
MIT Health
MIT Health is available to make gender changes to your medical record. Contact the Primary Care team at https://health.mit.edu/services/primary-care and they will work with you to get your information updated as needed. To make gender changes to your student insurance plan (MIT SHIP), you will need to update your information with the Registrar directly.
For more information:
Knowledge Base Article on Name Changes at MIT
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition page on Identity Documents