#exam certificates

[ukftm]

If I legally change my name before the GCSE certificates are issued in October/November, will they be likely have my new name on or would i have to request new ones?

If you’re taking your exams through a school or college, you should speak to the exams officer there once you have evidence of your name change, as they should be able to contact the exam boards to update personal details. The process might vary by exam board, but to take OCR as an example, they state that they can make amendments to candidates’ personal details up until the certificates are printed, after which time they will need to be reissued.

In theory it sounds like it should be straightforward to make sure your certificates are right the first time, depending on how soon before the certificates are issued you actually organise the name change. You will probably need to be proactive with your exams officer to make sure they know they can update your details, though (and that they actually do so).

~ James

[ukftm]

so im applying for uni through UCAS and i have legally changed my name but the time i got my exam certificates i didnt change my name legally. am i still able to use my legal or name? how would i go about this? i have already emailed to try and get my name changed on my certificates but what if they dont come in time?

Yes, you can still use your legal name on the application (and technically should, as you renounce use of your previous name). As you’ve got a name change document, if you don’t have updated exam certificates by the time you submit your UCAS application they will at least be able to verify that you are the same person, though obviously it won’t be ideal from the perspective of having to share your previous name.

~ James

[ukftm]

Do I need to change my name on my gcse certificates or can I leave it? My certificate will out me anyway no matter what cause I went to an all girls school with “girls” in the name so everyone will know I’m trans anyway

It’s entirely up to you.  You can either change them, or you can keep them as they are and show your deed poll alongside them to prove the link between your name and the name on the certificates.

Making amendments to school names following transition is something that at least some exam boards have been known to offer, so if you’re interested in getting your certificates updated this might be something that you could enquire about.  Amendments might be something like changing the name from “Perse School for Girls” to “Perse School” or swapping it for a local co-ed/boy’s school instead.

~ Alex

[ukftm]

Do you know if it’s possible to get gcse certificates updated again if you’ve already changed them once and then changed your name again?

It’s unlikely that you would be able to do this.  Exam boards do not generally permit changes of name but make an exception for trans people to avoid them being outed by their certificates.  If you have already had your certificates updated once and they are no longer bearing a name which would out you then they would most likely treat this as being the same as a cis person who has changed their name.

It won’t hurt to ask of course, but I suspect it’s unlikely that they would agree.

~ Alex

[ukftm]

Hello. Recently I took a Cambridge English (ESOL) exam for foreigners. Cambridge sent my results a while ago including my certificate. Now I had a name change and need my cert changed, but their website says they do not allow any name changes. How do I go on about this? Thanks beforehand.

The best place to start is by contacting them and explaining that you have changed your name and require an updated certificate due to transition.  Exam boards should make exceptions for people who have transitioned even if they do not normally amend the name on certificates, and this isn’t always clear on their websites.

If they refuse to issue with an updated certificate then you might find this factsheet helpful to send them as it explains why they should be agreeing to issue you with a new certificate.

~ Alex

[ukftm]

will i have to pay to get all my gcse and a level certificates redone with my new name on them?

Most exam boards will reissue certificates/statements of results free of charge for those who have changed their name due to transition.

There is some more information about this here that might be useful.

~ Alex

[ukftm]

Just a heads up about exam certificates if you did IGCSEs and/or live outside the UK usually: I did my exams with CIE and to get a new transcript from them, you need to show your deed poll, proof you're using your new name (new passport/drivers license/ID card) and your original exam certificate. Also they do NOT charge if you're getting a new transcript on the grounds of gender reassignment.

Thanks for sharing for anyone else who might find this helpful!

~ Alex