Please note: this page has been translated automatically. All information in English is provided for information purposes only and not legally binding. Please get in touch with the revelant contact points if you wish to proceed.
In its mission statement and diversity code, the University of Konstanz is committed to the diversity of its members and their promotion and stands for a non-discriminatory organisational, academic and teaching culture. In order to increase educational and equal opportunities for members of all genders and also to comply with the legal requirements of the amendment to the Personal Status Act (§ 22 para. 3) in 2018, four categories of gender entries are possible in the electronic registration system and in all internal university documents: female, male, diverse and without specification.
The new Self-Determination Act (Gesetz über die Selbstbestimmung in Bezug auf den Geschlechtseintrag (SBGG)), which replaces the Transsexuals Act on 1 November 2024, strengthens the right to gender self-determination. In future, people with German citizenship will be able to have their gender entry and/or first name changed at the registry office by means of a simple declaration. A court decision and expert reports are no longer required. In connection with this, trans*, intersex and abinary students will be allowed to change their gender and first name and, if applicable, one or no form of address in all internal university documents upon written request. All persons responsible are bound by official secrecy. Interested students can proceed as follows:
Application of request for a change of first name and/or gender according to the new self-determination law:
- Firstly, a "declaration with self-assurance" must be submitted to the relevant registry office. In the declaration, the applicant must affirm that the requested change best corresponds to their gender identity and that they are aware of the consequences of the declaration. The registration of the declaration should be notified to the registry office three months in advance. The change of first name and/or gender in the civil status register only becomes fully effective upon expiry of this three-month period. In order to change personal data at the University of Konstanz, a confirmation of the change in the civil status register must be submitted by the responsible registry office. A guide for authorised declarants can be found under Information on the Self-Determination Act, SBGG (as of July 2024).
Important notes:
If you already require documents from the university (especially transcripts of records for other authorities, applications and/or third parties) in the period between registration and confirmation by the relevant registry office, changing your personal data prematurely will lead to some difficulties and delays, especially if it is necessary and time-consuming to reissue final documents. We therefore recommend that you make the change at least six months before you graduate so that your final documents can be processed and printed directly with the required personal data.
- Please then contact the Student Service Centre (SSZ), Student Affairs Department, regarding your request: Contact form > Select "Formalities during studies"
- Please bring the confirmation of change of civil status from the relevant registry office in accordance with the SBGG with you
- The SSZ will only enter the change of first name and/or gender in ZEuS. A new student ID card (UniCard) is then usually issued free of charge. In addition, it is advisable to upload a different/current photo for the new UniCard in ZEuS in advance if a new picture of you is required. The old UniCard must be returned to the SSZ.
- The change of first name and/or gender as well as the chosen or no salutation must also be made in the central electronic recording system at the Communication, Information and Media Centre (KIM) so that your data can also be adjusted in ILIAS (ilias-support@uni-konstanz.de), SOGo (support@uni-konstanz.de) in particular.
- Please note the following: Login to ZEuS will not be possible until the following day. Please contact ILIAS support (ilias-support@uni-konstanz.de) to have your courses transferred to the new virtual "desk". The login for the university-internal Wifi is required again with the changed name. The same applies to re-registering with the new UniCard at one of the Canon copiers.
Information for persons without German citizenship:
The specified procedure applies to all persons with habitual residence in Germany (permanent right of residence, renewable residence permit or EU Blue Card). German law can be chosen for them (Art. 7a para. 2 EGBGB, version from 01.11.2024). Foreign nationals can then have their gender entry and/or first name changed in conjunction with Section 1 (3) SBGG.
For persons from third countries without such a right of residence, e.g. exchange students without a final degree or doctoral students with a short research stay, it may be possible to submit a replacement document. In this case, please contact the SSZ.