Update Your Student Data

Email Address Change

Students may update their preferred email address by editing their profile on Penn Directory. Through Penn Directory, students can also control which contact information is made available to other members of the Penn community.  

Address Change

Students may update any of the information using the "Update my personal information" link on Path@Penn.

Permanent  Address A current permanent address is required for all students.
Local Address The address to be used when classes are in session. For students living in College Houses, this is updated automatically by College Houses & Academic Services. 
Learning From Address The address to be used over summer break or when a student is studying at another institution.  
Diploma Address The address to be used for diploma mailing.
Emergency Contact Address Contact information to be used in the event of an emergency involving the student. 
Parent/Guardian/Sponsor  1  Address Address of the student’s parent/guardian/sponsor.
Parent/Guardian/Sponsor  2 Address Address of the student’s second parent/guardian/sponsor.

Preferred First Name, Pronouns, and Gender Identity

Students now have the ability to edit their own Preferred First Name, Personal Pronouns, and Gender Identity on the Personal Information page in Path@Penn.

Student Data Changes 

The following data changes or corrections require legal documentation to be provided to the Office of the University Registrar. Students may update any of this information using the online Student Data Update Form. All required documentation may be provided as an attachment with the request form. We can accept photos of documents taken with a cell phone as long as the images are legible.

Social Security Number

Students can request to change the Social Security Number on their academic record for the purpose of correcting or updating for student employment or financial aid processing.

Please provide these items with your request form:

  1. One form of photo ID (such as PennCard, valid state driver’s license, or valid passport)

  2. One of the following forms of documentation for verification of SSN:

    • A Social Security Card or other Social Security Administration documentation validating the SSN

    • A copy of a state or federal tax document containing the SSN

    • An employment record containing the SSN

    • A military document containing the SSN (such as a military ID card)

    • Tribal ID card containing the SSN

    • Medical Benefits card containing the SSN

    • A government issued ID or acceptable document showing legal presence/identity or residence address containing the SSN

Note: SSN changes are only made Monday through Thursday.

Legal Name Change

A legal name change will be reflected in student systems, and on all official documents such as transcripts and diplomas.

Note: If you have already graduated and completed the legal name change process as outlined below, you may order a new diploma reflecting your updated legal name from the Office of the University Secretary (https://secretary.upenn.edu/ceremonies/diplomas).

Please provide these items with your request form:

  1. One form of photo ID showing former name (such as PennCard, state driver’s license, or passport)

  2. One form of photo ID showing current name (either a valid state driver’s license, or a valid passport)

  3.  One of the following forms of documentation for verification of the legal name change:  

    • Birth certificate

    • Legal Name Court Order

    • Social Security Card

    • Marriage certificate

    • Divorce decree*
      *Note: If you are changing your name after a divorce, the divorce decree should indicate a change of name approval included as part of the decree.

Marital Status Change

Please provide these items with your request form:

  1. One form of photo ID (such as PennCard, state driver’s license, or valid passport)

  2. Marriage license or divorce decree

Note: if also requesting name change along with marital status, please see required documentation for Legal Name Change as well.

Date of Birth Correction

Please provide these items with your request form:

  1. PennCard

  2. One of the following forms of documentation for verification of birth date:

    • Birth certificate

    • Driver’s license

    • Valid passport

Citizenship Status

Please provide these items with your request form:

  1. PennCard

  2. One of the following forms of documentation for verification of citizenship status:

    • Valid passport

    • Certificate of naturalization

    • Birth certificate

    • Certificate of citizenship

Note: If you need to update your visa status, please contact isss@pobox.upenn.edu. For more information, please visit https://global.upenn.edu/isss/students.