Gender diversity

Name and/or gender entry changes for trans, intersex and nonbinary students and staff

Since late 2018, the “third option” has been legally recognized in Germany. This means that in addition to “male” and “female,” the personal status law allows for “diverse” to be entered into the civil status register or for the entry to remain blank. Additionally, the Transsexuellengesetz (transsexual act) has since enabled individuals to officially change their first name. This development allows for the selection of a gender identity beyond the binary model, better reflecting diversity and individual identity. With the introduction of the new Self-Determination Act (Selbstbestimmungsgesetz), many barriers to updating gender entries have been removed compared to the previous transsexual act, making the process significantly easier.

While this may sound straightforward in theory, in practice, it often involves a yearslong process that can cause considerable distress for trans and intersex individuals. This can negatively impact academic performance and, in the worst cases, lead to withdrawal from studies. For this reason, it is important to the University of Hamburg to support TIN* students and staff.

Procedure for changing names and gender entries—students

To support TIN* students, those with a dgti ID recognized by the Ministry of the Interior can update their name at the University of Hamburg’s Campus Center.

Once updated, the personal data in university systems—such as email addresses, Stine, OpenOlat, and Moodle—will reflect the correct name.

Procedure and information for student employees

Students with student employee status at the University of Hamburg must take an additional step after updating their name at the Campus Center.

Step 1:

Send an email directly to the RRZ service line: rrz-serviceline"AT"uni-hamburg.de or to the University of Hamburg’s Equal Opportunity Commissioner, Dr. Angelika Paschke-Kratzin: gleichstellungsbeauf"AT"uni-hamburg.de. Emails sent to the equal opportunity commissioner will be forwarded to the RRZ or addressed in case of additional questions.

Include your uni username (B-Kennung): [e.g., bzz1234]
your desired display name, for example, in Exchange: [Format: firstname1 lastname1], with a request for a new alias matching the updated name
your new, additional preferred email address: firstname.lastname@uni-hamburg.de(vorname.nachname"AT"uni-hamburg.de)
your updated gender entry: [f, m, d], if the current entry should be changed (this can also be updated independently in the system)

Step 2:

The Regional Computing Center processes the request and sends an email asking the individual to complete the process with a final confirmation click.

The background

For several years, TIN* students have been able to update their name at the Campus Center using a dgti ID recognized by the Ministry of the Interior. Challenges arose for students with student employee status and required an additional Exchange email address. Because payroll is managed through the KoPers administrative system of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and their human resources department (Personalamt)does not recognize the dgti ID, the deadname reappeared in various administrative programs.

The University of Hamburg, in collaboration with the RRZ, the Digital Office, and the Smart Administration Unit, has developed a technical process that bypasses the use of the deadname. In all university-related systems—such as email addresses, STiNE, OpenOlat, and Moodle—the updated name is used exclusively.

However, in city-issued payroll documents, the deadname will continue to appear until the City’s human resources department updates the records following the Self-Determination Act, effective 1 November 2024.

Procedure for changing names and gender entries—staff

Academic staff and employees under the TVBP agreement should contact HR Services with their dgti ID to request changes.

Information on updated academic documents

University of Hamburg graduates who have officially changed their name under personal status law since the issuance of their diploma are entitled to updated academic documents. First, personal data must be updated in the campus management system (STiNE). To request this, use the Campus Center contact form. Include your student ID number and confirm whether an official change has already been implemented. Once the system update is complete, the relevant academic office can issue new documents. You will need to inform them and request reissuance. This service is free of charge. Your name will be updated on the new documents, but the original data will remain on file. New documents may bear signatures from different university representatives and feature a different design. These changes will not affect the validity of your documents. To receive updated documents, you must return the original, complete documents to the academic office. The University must ensure that no identical documents with different names are in circulation.