One of the most common concerns for individuals applying for academic credential assessments, immigration, or international education opportunities is what to do when their current legal name is different from the name printed on their academic documents. Name changes happen for a variety of reasons—marriage, divorce, religious conversion, gender identity affirmation, or simply personal choice. However, this change can create confusion or delays during official document verification processes if not addressed properly.
If you’re preparing to apply for credential evaluation and find that your academic records reflect a name you no longer use, this blog will help you understand how to proceed, which name you should apply under, and what supporting documentation you may need to provide.
Understanding the Importance of Name Consistency in Academic Evaluation
Credential evaluation bodies place great emphasis on the authenticity and consistency of academic records. One critical aspect of this verification is matching the applicant’s identity—name, date of birth, and sometimes other personal identifiers—with the credentials being assessed.
If the name on your degree certificate or transcript doesn’t match the name on your current passport or legal identification, your application may be delayed, flagged for review, or even rejected unless proper documentation is submitted to establish the connection between both names.
Which Name Should You Use in Your Application?
When filling out your credential evaluation application, you should always use your current legal name—the one that appears on your most up-to-date government-issued identification documents, such as:
-
Passport
-
National ID card
-
Birth certificate (if recently updated)
-
Permanent resident card or citizenship certificate
This ensures consistency with immigration, visa, and legal records, especially if you’re applying for international opportunities.
Even if your academic documents show a previous name, using your current legal name helps streamline background checks and avoid inconsistencies in future correspondence.
Submitting Name Change Documentation: What You’ll Need
To bridge the gap between your current name and the name printed on your academic records, you must submit official proof of your name change. This allows the credential evaluation agency to verify that both names belong to the same person and that there is no case of document fraud or identity misrepresentation.
Accepted forms of name change documentation often include:
-
Legal Name Change Certificate
Issued by a government authority or civil registry confirming the change in your name. This is the most direct form of proof. -
Marriage Certificate
If your name changed due to marriage, a government-issued marriage certificate reflecting both your previous and current names is typically sufficient. -
Divorce Decree or Legal Separation Papers
If you reverted to a former name or adopted a new one after divorce, include these documents showing the name change as ordered by the court. -
Affidavit of Name Change
In countries where name changes are processed through a notary or affidavit, a sworn and attested affidavit may be accepted as legal proof. -
Government-Issued ID or Passport with Both Names
Some documents include a line such as “also known as” or “formerly known as”, showing the transition between names. -
Published Name Change Notification
In jurisdictions where public notices are required (e.g., newspaper publication of name change), submit a copy of that notice.
How to Submit the Name Change Documentation
When applying for credential evaluation, you should:
-
Complete the application form using your current legal name.
-
Include your previous name in the section for “alternate names” or “other names used” (if such a section exists).
-
Upload scanned copies of your name change documentation along with your identification documents.
-
If required, submit notarized or certified copies of these documents, depending on the agency’s policy.
-
Mention the name discrepancy in your cover letter or statement of explanation so that reviewers are aware of the reason for any differences between your current ID and academic credentials.
Additional Considerations
1. Translations of Name Change Documents
If your name change certificate or related documentation is in a language other than English or the official language of the evaluation body, you must submit a certified translation along with the original.
2. Consistency Across All Documents
Ensure your name is consistent across your passport, government-issued ID, application form, and all supporting documents. Even minor spelling variations can create issues during the review process.
3. Notifying Your Educational Institutions
If your institution is sending your transcripts directly to the credential evaluator, you may want to notify them of your name change. In some cases, the school may include a note in their cover letter or envelope stating that the student’s name has changed, helping verify identity.
What If You Cannot Obtain a Name Change Certificate?
If your jurisdiction doesn’t issue formal name change documentation or if your name change happened informally and you don’t have legal proof, you may consider:
-
Obtaining an affidavit of identity from a notary public, attorney, or legal authority
-
Including signed letters from previous institutions or employers that recognize both names as yours
-
Submitting additional documents (e.g., school ID, pay stubs, employment records) linking both names, although these may not always be accepted
Always check with the credential evaluation agency in advance to clarify whether these alternatives are acceptable in your case.
Sample Case Scenario
Let’s say your academic records list your name as “Anita Sharma,” but you recently got married and changed your legal name to “Anita Mehra.” You are now applying for a credential assessment for immigration purposes. In this case, you should:
-
Fill out the application using “Anita Mehra”
-
Include “Anita Sharma” as your previous name in the designated section
-
Submit your marriage certificate showing both names
-
Attach a copy of your passport with your current legal name
-
Mention this name change in your cover letter or document submission summary
This approach ensures that your application remains transparent, well-documented, and in line with official procedures.
Final Thoughts
Name changes are part of many people’s life journeys and should never stand in the way of your professional or academic progress. By properly documenting the change and following submission guidelines, you can ensure a smooth application process and avoid unnecessary delays.
Always remember: clarity, consistency, and documentation are your strongest tools. If you’ve taken the legal steps to change your name, you’re fully entitled to be recognized by it—and your academic credentials can follow suit, with the right process.
Our Services – FACTS Transcripts
We at FACTS Transcripts assist in various services, including:
- Mark Sheet Transcripts
- E-Transcripts
- Duplicate Mark Sheets & Degree Certificates
- Medium of Instructions Certificates
- Attestations
- HRD Attestation / Apostille Services
- ECA (Educational Credentials Assessment)
Trusted by leading global verification organizations, including WES, IQAS, PEBC, NDEB, NASBA, CAPR, NZQA, ICAS, NCESS, ICES, ECE, eduPASS, ACEI, GCEUS, Comparative Education Services, NNAS, NCA, SAQA, QMAS, FORAC, Australian Pharmacy Council, and more.
FACTS Transcripts – The preferred choice for university document verification worldwide. We ensure a hassle-free process for obtaining your transcripts.
