A person’s name carries personal, cultural, and social significance. A chosen or preferred name is the name you want to be known by and identify with. This name may be different from your legal name, which is the name registered with the government and shown on official identification, such as a birth certificate, passport, or study permit.
Many people at VCC use names that differ from their legal given name for a variety of reasons, for example using a nickname, middle name, ancestral or cultural name, or English/Canadian name.
People who are trans, non-binary, Two-Spirit or gender diverse may use a chosen name that reflects their true selves, rather than their deadname. Deadname refers to the name that they were given at birth and should never be used once they have a chosen name.
We understand that for many people, their name is not a “preference”— it is a core part of their identity. For this reason, VCC also recognizes the term “chosen name,” even though VCC systems label it “preferred name”.
Legal names are only required for official or legal purposes at VCC as described below. This information is confidential and should only be used when required. We strongly encourage everyone in the VCC community to respect and correctly pronounce the name that each person uses. Having your name respected and used correctly is an important part of feeling included and supported within our community.
How to update your preferred or chosen name
Update your preferred or chosen name well ahead of a new term so it appears consistently across systems and class lists.
You can enter a preferred first name on your VCC application through Education Planner BC. It will automatically go into VCC systems like the student portal and learning platforms. If you need to update your preferred name after applying and registering for courses, follow the steps below for current students. Updated preferred/chosen names will take up to 24 hours to appear.
- You can update your preferred name by logging into my.vcc.ca → Student dashboard → Update personal information → Personal details → Edit → Preferred name (How to update your preferred name guide)
- Your preferred name will populate across Microsoft products, such as Outlook and Teams, and Moodle within 24 hours. You can also edit your Moodle profile directly if needed.
- If your preferred/chosen name is in the Student Information System when your card is produced, it will be printed on your VCC Student ID.
- One free reprint is provided for a first ID reissue to show a preferred/chosen name or for legal name changes. You can request one at the Broadway or Downtown campus Registrar’s Office.
- For uniform name tags, order a replacement through the VCC Bookstore.
Other frequently asked questions
- Student profile (myVCC)
- Student email, Microsoft Teams, and other Microsoft 365 apps
- Moodle
- VCC Student ID cards
- Class lists
- Appointment booking systems (Advising, Counselling, Learning Centre)
- Library services
- Graduation ceremonies (Gowning list and student name cards)
To meet government and regulatory requirements, some records and documents require your legal name. Here is where your legal name is required as a student:
- Official college transcripts and unofficial transcripts
- Degree parchments, and diplomas and certificates
- Official letters and forms, including admission and confirmation of enrolment
- Financial awards and scholarship documents
- Reports to government
- Letters of attestation
- Tuition fee invoices and receipts
- Tax forms (for example, T2202A slip, T4, T4A)
- Student loans (for example, BC Student Loans or bank loans)
- Applications to professional licensing bodies (for example, licensing exams for nursing)
- Applications for admission to other educational institutions (for example, graduate school applications or university transfer)
- Cheques or e-transfers
While VCC supports and allows the use of a preferred or chosen name for many internal, documents, your legal name is maintained for official records. Using a preferred name on applications while official documents use a legal name can cause confusion for external organizations when verifying identity for work, scholarships, bursaries, or further education.
If you’ve legally changed your name, please submit the with government issued legal name change documentation. If you need a replacement credential, complete the Student Information Change Form and return the original credential with your request. If you’re unsure which documents you need, the Student Records team is happy to help.
Note: If you completed your program with Continuing Studies, please contact the Continuing Studies department directly at 604.871.7000, option 3.
- Legal name
The name registered with government and shown on official ID (such as a birth certificate, passport, immigration documents). This name is required on certain official records and documents. - Preferred/chosen name
The first name you commonly use and want VCC to use in everyday interactions and on internal systems where a legal name is not required.
VCC reserves the right to deny or remove preferred names that are offensive, derogatory, or used for misrepresentation or to avoid legal obligations.
You can also update your gender identity in your student profile through my.vcc.ca → Student dashboard → Update personal information → Personal details → Edit → Gender (female, male, nonbinary, prefer not to answer) → Update.
- If your preferred name is not showing up on correspondence, visit the Registrar’s office or contact [email protected]
- If your preferred name is not showing up in class lists, visit the Registrar’s office or contact [email protected]
- Your preferred name is indicated but you are still being addressed by your legal name, can follow the student complaint process and/or get support from the VCC Student Union Student Advocate.
- Trans, non-binary, Two Spirit, and gender diverse students can also reach out to Pride Collective resource persons.
If you have any feedback or comments on this process or information, please email [email protected]