---
type: source
title: "URZ: Changing Usernames"
tags: [user-account, administration, policy]
related: [username-change-process, zentraler-nutzeraccount]
created: 2026-06-30
updated: 2026-06-30
sources: ["output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_allgemein_zentraler_nutzeraccount_benutzernamen_aen.md"]
---

# URZ: Changing Usernames

This source documents the policy and procedure for changing usernames associated with the [[zentraler-nutzeraccount]] at the Universität Greifswald.

## Core Policy
Usernames are immutable because they serve as the unique primary key for account mapping across all university IT systems. Consequently, a technical "rename" of an existing account is not possible.

## Exceptional Circumstances
Username changes are only permitted in specific cases, such as:
- Contentious divorces.
- Name changes based on the Self-Determination Act (*Selbstbestimmungsgesetz*).
- Name changes based on the dgti supplementary ID (*dgti Ergänzungsausweis*).

## Administrative Workflow
Since a technical change is impossible, the [[universitatsrechenzentrum-urz]] implements a replacement process:
1. **Request:** The user submits a ticket via [[groupware]] (Type: URZ/Diverses).
2. **Expiration:** The URZ triggers the expiration of the current account, which will then be deleted according to standard [[concepts/account-loeschung]] rules.
3. **Creation:** A new account with the updated username is automatically created the following day.
4. **Password Migration:** The URZ transfers the password from the old account to the new one and notifies the user of the new username via the ticket.

## User Responsibilities
The user is solely responsible for the manual migration of all data and permissions from the old account to the new one. This includes:
- Emails.
- Data on the central file server ([[nas.rz.uni-greifswald.de]]).
- [[nextcloud]] files.
- Other assigned resources.
- Restoring folder shares and permissions.

This migration must be completed within the designated grace period (*Karenzzeit*) before the old account is permanently deleted.
