---
title: "Update department"
method: PATCH
path: "/v3/departments/{id}"
tags: ["Departments"]
---

# Update department

`PATCH /v3/departments/{id}`

Update an existing department's name, `external_id`, or position in the department tree. Use `parent_id` (or `external_parent_id`) to re-parent the department; both are optional on update and the existing parent is preserved when neither is supplied.

## Path parameters

- `id` integer, required

## Request body

- object
  - `name` string, required — New display name for the department. Required.
  - `parent_id` integer, nullable — Id of an existing department to set as the new parent. Set to `null` to remove the parent. Use `parent_id` when you already have the Greenhouse id; use `external_parent_id` to reference the parent by its external id instead.
  - `external_id` string, nullable — Partner-supplied identifier for the department, typically the matching id from an HRIS or other external system. Set to `null` to clear the existing `external_id`.
  - `external_parent_id` string, nullable — `external_id` of an existing department to set as the new parent. Set to `null` to remove the parent. Useful when you only have external ids on hand; ignored if `parent_id` is also supplied.

## Response `200`

Successful

- object
  - `id` integer
  - `created_at` string, date-time
  - `updated_at` string, date-time
  - `name` string — Display name of the department (e.g. `Engineering`, `Marketing`).
  - `parent_id` integer, nullable — Id of the parent department in the organization's department tree. `null` for top-level departments. References another `/v3/departments` row.
  - `external_id` string, nullable — Partner-supplied identifier for the department, typically the matching id from an HRIS or other external system. Free-form string and `null` when no external id has been set.

## Other responses

- `401` — Unauthorized
- `403` — Forbidden
- `422` — Unprocessable Content

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/greenhouse/apis/auth-api.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/greenhouse/apis/auth-api/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc-service-production.skmtc.workers.dev/v1/apis/greenhouse/auth-api/revisions/9517a2e54640/schema)