Your legal or primary name is the name you use on official documentation.
It's the name we will use on your testamur once you graduate and any formal documentation you receive from the university. You will need to update your name with the university if you something changes, for example, you want to be known by your married name.
Your legal name must match across all systems linked to your student record. Dependent on what type of student you are, we may need proof that you’ve updated your details with these agencies before we can finalise your name change.
If you are an International onshore student, a permanent resident, a New Zealand Student studying in Australia or an Australian Citizen, your USI must exactly match your legal name, date of birth and gender.
To update your USI details:
If you are an Australia Citizen or New Zealand student eligible for a HELP loan, your legal name must exactly match the name recorded with the Australian Taxation Office. This is essential for your HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan to be processed correctly.
To check or update your details:
Once updated, you’ll need to verify this with us to remain eligible for HELP.
You must use your current passport to verify your full name and date of birth with Charles Sturt University.
If you are residing offshore and do not have a current passport from your country of citizenship, you can use government-issued national identity papers to verify your full name and date of birth.
Students must submit all requests for name changes in writing and include the following in the description of your request:
Legal documentation must be attached to the email to support the requested change.
Depending on the type of request, additional documentation may be required.
See the following list of acceptable documentation to see what documentation is required for your request.
A driver's licence, commemorative birth/marriage certificates or birth extracts are not considered a legal document for this purpose.
If you are an international student OR a student in Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) or Bachelor of Teaching Secondary courses you will also need to provide verified copies of your documents. Go to How to verify your documents for further information.
| Change of name request | Documentation required |
|---|---|
| Incorrect spelling of first / middle / surname | One legal document |
| Adding an additional middle name | One legal document |
| Expanding an initial to the full word, e.g. John M. Citizen > John Michael Citizen | One legal document |
| Amending the order of first / middle / surname, e.g. John Michael Citizen > Michael John Citizen | One legal document |
| Marriage - where student taking spouse's surname after marriage | Marriage Certificate |
| Marriage - where student wishes to hyphenate combination of two surnames, e.g. Smith-Jones | Marriage Certificate - this permits the recording of a combination of the two surnames listed with hyphens or Change of Name Certificate |
| Marriage - where student wishes to double-barrel surnames, e.g. Smith Jones (no hyphenation) | Marriage Certificate - this permits the recording of a combination of the two surnames listed without hyphens |
| Revert back to maiden name | Birth Certificate Death Certificate |
| Gender related changes | Change of Name Certificate |
| Change to given first / middle / surname, e.g. John Citizen, James Citizen > John Woodstock | Birth Certificate Change of Name Certificate |
| A wholly new name | Change of Name Certificate |
| Graduation name changes | One legal document |