Pasadena City College strives to foster an environment where students, faculty and staff are respected and safe, which can begin with how one chooses to be named. 

Reasons for having a preferred name may vary, but for some individuals who may be gender nonconforming and/ or transgender their chosen name is important.

Although not only exclusive for our LGBTQIA2S+ students, the Name Change / Gender Marker Assistance also includes international students, or for individuals who simply want to adopt a new name that is more reflective than the name they currently have. 

Please note that this is not a legal name change, and we are only able to change first names on the PCC system.

Preferred / Affirmed / Chosen names will show in the following places:

      • Lancer Point ID Card
      • Library
      • Counseling Department
      • PCC Connect emails and alerts
      • Class Rosters
      • Canvas Swipe Stations in Labs and Classrooms

Preferred / Affirmed / Chosen names will not show in the following places:

      • Lancer Plan (course audit)
      • Legal records (academic records and financial awards)
      • Email correspondence from some departments

If you have any questions or issues accessing / submitting the form, please email: pride@pasadena.edu

PCC Admissions and Records Student Information Change 

Admissions & Records updates your personal information in areas where there is no option available through the LancerPoint student portal. If you have completed a Legal Name and Gender Marker Change, you are able to submit documentation to update your student records. 

Update PCC Admissions & Records with documentation for the following: 

Legal Name Change
You will need to submit your documentation showing you have had a legal name change to have your school records match your new name. Acceptable supporting documentation includes:

  • Driver License
  • State issued Identification Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Social Security Card
  • Filed Court Name Change
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Divorce Record
  • Citizenship Certificate (Accompanied by Court Name Change, usually stapled to the back)
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Passport

STUDENT INFORMATION CHANGE REQUEST FORM

PCC Employees must contact Human Resources to update personnel and payroll records.

 Referral Services for a California Legal Name and Gender Marker Change 

The PCC Pride Center is able to refer students, staff and faculty to an outside local legal aid non-profit organization that specializes in Legal name and gender marker change clinics that help guide and fillout necessary documents for a court processed CA legal name and gender marker change.  Please contact pride@pasadena.edu with subject title: CA Legal Name and Gender Marker Change Referral Service. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What is a preferred/ Affirmed / Chosen  name?

What’s the difference between chosen name, preferred name, and affirmed name?
All of these terms mean the same thing. They are all names that an individual chooses that is different from their birth name. Those who take on a different name are able to decide who to share this name with, what spaces they want to be called these names, and how their name is pronounced.

Who qualifies to have a preferred name?
Anyone can have a preferred / affirmed name.

How do I change or update my preferred name and pronouns on the PCC campus?
To change your preferred name and pronouns, you need to fill out the preferred name form. Note: This is not a legal name change.

Once submitted, please allow 5-7 business days for the change to be reflected in our system.

Your preferred name change will appear in the following systems and locations:

  •   Admissions and Records Office
  •   PCC Lancer Point Systems
  •   Lancer ID Card
  •  Canvas Roster
  •  Cross-Campus Access
  •  Library
  • Counseling Department
  • Canvas Swipe Stations in Labs and Classrooms

The name change will not appear in the following areas on campus:

  • Lancer Plan (course audit)
  • Legal records (academic records and financial awards)
  • Email correspondence from some departments

Can I change my middle name or last name through this option?
No. This service only applies to first names.

How frequently can you change your name?
We encourage our students to explore their chosen and embodied name before engaging in the name change process at PCC.

But you are allowed to change your name once per semester with a maximum of 3 name changes while a student at PCC.

Where will my name change appear?
Name changes will appear on PCC Connect, LancerPoint Dashboard, Canvas courses that include roster lists. Please note that this is not a legal name change, but one that will be reflected in selective areas of Pasadena City College.

Can I get a new ID card with my preferred name?
Yes, as soon as the LancerPoint system has updated your Preferred Name, you can visit a LancerCard ID Station Location: FYE Pathways (V-100), Success Centers (D-300) or Foothill Campus (Student Success Center | Room 108) for a new ID card that has your preferred name. Have your Lancer ID # on hand and a Current Photo ID and mentioned you had a Name Change through the PCC Pride Center.

Can I change my email to match my preferred name?
You cannot change your @pasadena.edu email address at this time, but you may select to have your @go.pasadena.edu email updated with your preferred name in the settings.

Where will the Name Change not appear on campus?
Take note that your legal name must be used for more formal documents such as financial aid documents and official academic transcripts. There are a few places where the Name Change will also not appear:

  • Lancer Plan (course audit)
  • Legal records (academic records and financial awards)
  • Potentially email correspondence from some departments, i.e. listservs
  • Verification of medical records
  •  Academic transcript
  • Financial aid records

How long does it take for my preferred name to be implemented on campus databases?
The Name Change Process takes between 5-7 business days. You will only need to submit the Name Change Form once.

Can I change my last name?
Yes, you are able to change your last name at PCC by going to the Admissions and Records Student Information Change to access the necessary forms. Note: You are not able to change your last name using the Pride Center - Name Change/Gender Marker Services form.

What is the assessment PCC conducts to approve or deny a name change request?
Individuals are free to determine the preferred names by which they want to be known within the PCC community.

However, inappropriate use of preferred name by an individual will result in removal of the preferred name from that individual’s record. Inappropriate use includes names that attempt to avoid legal obligation, fraud, misrepresent the individual, harass, threaten, cause harm or are otherwise objectionable.

PCC reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it is deemed inappropriate.

Can I set or change my name to whatever I want?
No. The Pride Center and Admissions & Records staff must approve of all name changes. Those names deemed inappropriate, fraudulent, nicknames, abbreviations, initials or misrepresentative will not be approved.

What if I wish to use a single name with no last name as my preferred name?
It is possible for you to go solely by your first name, or if you wish not to use any pronouns.

The best practice would be to introduce yourself such as, “Hello my name is Tasha. I only go by my first name” or “Hello my name is Tom, and I do not use any pronouns, only my first name”.

On all legal documents and in certain areas of Pasadena City College, you will still see your legal last name.

I’m a PCC employee, what steps do I need to take to change my name?
PCC Employees are able to refer to the Human Resources page and find the heading of General Forms.

Download the pdf form titled Employee Name, Address, and Emergency Update Form. Note: Legal Name changes require you to present a Social Security card with the new name.Staff have the option to update a Preferred/Affirmed Name without a Social Security card.

What additional steps do I need to take if I am an undocumented or an undocuqueer student?
For all inquiries about the name changing process for undocumented students, please visit the Dream Resource Center. They can be reached at: dream@pasadena.edu 

What other steps do I need to take on campus if and when I change my name legally?
PCC Pride Center is not able to provide legal name change services for students, staff or faculty. If you are seeking a legal name change and gender marker services, we are able to refer you to local organizations that can help with a legal name change process.

Please contact pride@pasadena.edu with the subject title: CA Legal Name and Gender Marker Change Referral Service, so that we may refer you to a local organization that can guide you in the court process.