1. Requesting a Name Change
For the most part we will probably have the same name our entire (or for most of our) lives. However there are some situations where this might change. For instance:

1. You got married (must in character be over 18, no child brides).
2. You got divorced (must in character be over 18, no child brides).
3. Your parents broke up and you took your mother's maiden name.
4. Your parent remarried and you took your new father's name.
5. You have been adopted and you have decided to take your adoptive parent's name.

The reason for the name change cannot be preference. 

How is this done?

By applying for reindexing here: viewtopic.php?t=13033

Please be aware that your account name will change so your ability to access the site will be effected when the name change goes through so make sure that you have the proper spelling for your name for when they do the name change. 

Are there any name restrictions?

Yes. You are expected to pick a unique name. Please do not pick a name from some popular media (this especially includes taking the name of a character from the Harry Potter universe), make your own creation. Some pure-blood names have also been restricted as well as names of significance in the Potter universe so that we do not have 20 Malfoys running around the site. You might notice that a player has a 'restricted' surname on the site (something from the sacred 28 perhaps), this is because they predated this rule and it would be unfair to force these players to change something so major about their character (their name) due to a policy change that happened after they made their character and have been role-playing for some time.

Also, please do not make a joke name or an offensive name. Us not getting the joke until later does not count as a reason why you should keep the name.

Are all names used in the Harry Potter Universe restricted?

No, just 'major' ones such as Potter, Granger, Weasley, Malfoy, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Riddle, LeStrange, Grindelwald, Dumbledore, Scamander, Gaunt, Snape, Lupin, Longbottom, Lovegood, McGonagall, and Ollivander. 

Because of how common it is, we do allow the use of the surname Black but not from a pureblood line.

What if I spell the name different?
Using 1337speak, adding a letter to pluralize, etc. so that the name is similar but not recognized by the site systems will not be an acceptable means of circumventing this limitation. 

You are discouraged from using your real-life name as your character name. It is not against the rules but it is discouraged. It is really not a good reason to get a name change because you chose your real life name, however we will honor requests for name changes when you have thoughtlessly used your real life name and give you a name change. But please be aware, that does not change every time your name was used on site in your posts (or in other posts). The staff will not be manually changing those for you, you will have to manually change the instances where you used your full name on your own. 

In addition, we will only change the account name of a user if that user contacts us. We will not change their account name on the request of a friend. It is considered to be the expectation of most online communities that we make a reasonable attempt to make sure that the person requesting the name change is the actual user. We do not know if that 'friend' has your best interests at heart or if they are messing with you. By changing your account name, we are basically locking you out of the site if you did not want (or were unaware) of that name change. 

Please note, pretending to be someone that you are not, if discovered by the staff will result in your ban.

2. Other Profile Changes

When creating a character you have the option of picking a location that they are from, a nationality, a gender and so on. While uncommon, misclicks do happen. Simply contact a Head of House regarding the mistake and we will get your Profile fixed for you. Similarly, the selection limits nationality to those within the British Isles, should you wish for your character to have a different nationality, please contact a Head of House. Note, you must still have had your first instance of magic take place within the British Isles.

Please note there are only two basic expectations regarding this:

1. That you contact us within 2 weeks of being validated for a change. We expect you to be aware of your profile contents by this point.
2. That you understand that this is not a means by which you can bypass the limitations of the site. For example, requesting to be something that is not currently available to students.

1. Previously residences could only be changed on a user's profile card once and only once. We have changed this to as needed.

• Players would be requesting a profile card residence change in the Reindexing Thread where they would have to clearly articulate that they need this changed and to provide a reason/update to their character as to why their residence is a different location.
• We expect players to be respectful of staff time. If someone abuses this by asking for a change every few weeks, the staff does reserve the right to say "no more."

2. Clarification regarding residence location changes. Hogwarts only admits students residing in the UK - the UK is defined as England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. This means that students need to have a residence within the UK while they are in Hogwarts. If they move outside of the UK (the European Continent is not the UK), then they would be attending another school such as Beauxbatons.

3. Previously we allowed users a one time only name-change. Now that we have older students that are looking at the possibility of IC marriage and other life-changing effects. We have changed the rule to: one name change as a student (so from year 1 to year 7) which can be surname and given or just surname or just given. Whichever this is, that serves as your one time name change. As an adult, meaning after graduation, your character can change your surname up to two times.

• Please note - as a student a user can have ONE name change. They cannot change their given name one time and then later change their surname.
• Please note - as an adult a user can have TWO surname name changes. This is to represent divorces and marriages mostly. If you keep the same character for 21+ years and had 2 divorces and are looking to marry a third time, we can talk then.
• An exception exists for players looking to change their given name that did not change their given name as a student. This is an exception so we can consider people who late in life discover that they are transgender, wish to formalize their name, make it less formal or simply identify themselves by a different name for whatever reason.
• Why is there a restriction at all? Because names are how things are recorded on site. Because your name is how people recognize and identify you. Because it would be creepy (and people have done it) when someone says they have been around but won't say who they were, this creates a tilted power dynamic, assists some members in harassment, being creepers, stalking, etc.
• Please, do not change your name on a whim. We have attempted to expand the opportunities for your character to develop, please do us and fellow community members the respect of making yourself known for who you were and to have the change make sense.
• To change your name you would need to Re-Index and provide a reason for the name change. Please clearly articulate the fact that you wish to change your character's account name.
• Please be aware, when your account name is changed, this will effect your log in.