User:NotAracham/Requesting Username Changes

NOTE: This is an essay that is not yet promoted to official policy, but is intended to serve as guidance to other users.

Picked a username years ago that doesn't fit your online persona today? Trying to align your usernames across the internet? Asked to change your username by a Steward?

While a name change shouldn't be undertaken lightly, the process is thankfully fairly straightforward.

Key Considerations before Requesting
While Stewards will generally approve most requests if adequate reasoning is provided and the user is in good standing, frequent requests (less than a year between requests) will generally not be approved without a good reason.

Some additional points to consider:
 * Is the username I want already taken?
 * Will my requested username violate Username Policy?
 * Have I already changed my username recently?
 * Is this something I could solve by customizing my signature?
 * Is the username I want one that I'll be happy with for a year or more?

It is also important to note: change requests are publicly logged, if you are creating a new account for anonymity/privacy, it is better to create a separate and independent new account, and having your current account renamed to something random and abandon it.

This process of creating a new account should not be used for ban evasion, otherwise the user may find all accounts under their ownership globally locked.

Request Process
Requests to change a username globally on WikiTide should be filed via the rename request form, requesters should be sure to provide a clear reason for the request to avoid it getting declined.

A Steward or other functionary with global rename privileges will review your request at their next opportunity and, if approved...
 * your user and user talk pages will be moved to the new name on every wiki you have contributed to.
 * The old user/talk pages will be redirected to your new name
 * your username for login will now be the new username
 * All new edits will be attributed to your new username

Please let a steward know via Steward Requests if you experience any issues following a name change