Exams Administration

Students with names longer than 40 characters

Find out what you need to do if any of your candidates have a full legal name that’s longer than 40 characters.

Name variations form

If a candidate’s full legal name is longer than 40 characters, you'll need to complete a name variations form. This is to make sure that their full legal name is printed on their certificate(s).

You can’t use this form to amend an entry.

If you need to amend an entry for a candidate with a name less than 40 characters, please see our check, change or withdrawn entries page.

When to send it

The name variations form must be completed and sent to us:

• after you’ve made an entry for that candidate
• at least one month before certificates are due to be issued for the exam series.

How to complete and send the name variations form

You’ll need to download, complete and send us the name variations form.

Step 1: download the form

You'll need to download the name variations form:

Step 2: complete the form

You’ll need to fill in the following:

• exam series, centre number and centre name
• candidate entry details (section 1) – candidate number, candidate entered names and UCI number
• name for certificate(s) (section 2) – candidate full legal names exceeding 40 characters
• sign the centre submission declaration – include your name and role at the centre and the sign-off date.

Save the form and make sure the file name has:

• your centre number
• exam series month and year.

Example file name: ‘Name variations form 00000 June 2024’.

Step 3: send the form to us by email

You’ll need to email the completed form to namevariations@aqa.org.uk

The email subject line must include:

• name variations form
• your centre number
• exam series month and year.

Example email subject line: ‘Name variations form 00000 May/June 2024’.

What happens next

You’ll receive an email notification when we receive and process your request. If we need any further information from you, we’ll email you.