Request modification of first name and/or surname for internal university use

  • Réf. 0010
  • Date de première publication : 13/02/2020

 I. Principle

In the documents and correspondence that it produces (including contracts, work certificates, transcripts, and diplomas), the University of Geneva utilizes personal information from official identity documents. 
Employees, students, and people with UNIGE accounts can nevertheless request a modification of a first name and/or a surname for internal university use, under the following conditions: 

A preferred surname for internal university use allows one to choose: 

  • a research/academic surname from among one's official surnames ; 
  • to keep or return to a surname if one's official surname has changed ; 
  • to modify the spelling of one's surname due to special characters. 
A preferred first name for internal university use allows one to choose: 
  • one first name from among one's official first names ; 
  • a different first name ; 
  • an initial after one's first name. 

II. Applications

Requests for modification of a first name and/or a surname for internal university use may be applied for the following uses at UNIGE:
  • multi-service card ;
  • e-mail address ; 
  • attendance lists ; 
  • Outlook address books ; 
  • course schedules ; 
  • UNIGE online directory.

The choice of a preferred surname and/or first name must not harm the integrity of any person. 

III. Procedure

To request a change of a first name and/or surname for internal university use, the person concerned must complete this form. Once the request has been accepted by the competent entity, the change of fisrt name and/or surname is recorded in the IT system. A confirmation is sent to the person who submitted the request. 
Upon confirmation of the change, the following complementary request can be submitted:

1. The replacement of the UNIGE multi-service card is possible by visiting the CAD during their hours of operation with the car to be replaced by an exchange. 

Please note that if a change of photo is desired, this must be done ahead of time.

2. Employees and anyone else with a UNIGE account can request the change of their e-mail adress: prénom.nom(at)unige.ch via an email message to their IT contact person


Version Objet de la modification Date de publication
4 Revision of the directive in accordance with the decision of May 28, 2025 it repeals and replaces directive 0010 " Request the use of a chosen first name, a chosen last name, and/or a gender identity" 21.07.2025
3 Refonte de la directive 13.02.2020
2 Document contrôlé à jour en juin 2014
màj du document
03.05.2013
1 Document contrôlé à jour en juin 2011
Changement de système. Fait suite et remplace : Fo 20-40-01 : Demande d'utilisation du nom d'usage & Pr 20-40-01 : Utilisation d’un nom d’usage
06.03.2008

 

Vérificateur/trice

Juliette Labarthe (Directrice du service égalité & diversité) Christelle Mathey-Prévot (Division des ressources humaines) Jasmine Champenois    (Division de la formation et des étudiant-es)

Approbateur/trice Didier Raboud (Secrétaire général)

Dernières modifications : 21/07/2025