diff --git a/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/api.py b/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/api.py
index 2a7bff9a..ada76588 100644
--- a/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/api.py
+++ b/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/api.py
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ def autocomplete_tags(
 def add_tag_to_taxonomy(
     taxonomy: Taxonomy,
     tag: str,
-    parent_tag_id: int | None = None,
+    parent_tag_value: str | None = None,
     external_id: str | None = None
 ) -> Tag:
     """
@@ -329,18 +329,18 @@ def add_tag_to_taxonomy(
     Taxonomy, an exception is raised, otherwise the newly created
     Tag is returned
     """
-    return taxonomy.cast().add_tag(tag, parent_tag_id, external_id)
+    return taxonomy.cast().add_tag(tag, parent_tag_value, external_id)
 
 
-def update_tag_in_taxonomy(taxonomy: Taxonomy, tag: int, tag_value: str):
+def update_tag_in_taxonomy(taxonomy: Taxonomy, tag: str, new_value: str):
     """
     Update a Tag that belongs to a Taxonomy. The related ObjectTags are
     updated accordingly.
 
-    Currently only support updates the Tag value.
+    Currently only supports updating the Tag value.
     """
     taxonomy = taxonomy.cast()
-    updated_tag = taxonomy.update_tag(tag, tag_value)
+    updated_tag = taxonomy.update_tag(tag, new_value)
 
     # Resync all related ObjectTags to update to the new Tag value
     object_tags = taxonomy.objecttag_set.all()
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ def update_tag_in_taxonomy(taxonomy: Taxonomy, tag: int, tag_value: str):
 
 def delete_tags_from_taxonomy(
     taxonomy: Taxonomy,
-    tag_ids: list[int],
+    tags: list[str],
     with_subtags: bool
 ):
     """
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ def delete_tags_from_taxonomy(
     the sub-tags will be deleted as well.
     """
     taxonomy = taxonomy.cast()
-    taxonomy.delete_tags(tag_ids, with_subtags)
+    taxonomy.delete_tags(tags, with_subtags)
 
     # Resync all related ObjectTags after deleting the Tag(s)
     object_tags = taxonomy.objecttag_set.all()
diff --git a/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/models/base.py b/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/models/base.py
index cbf224b4..ebbe5b68 100644
--- a/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/models/base.py
+++ b/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/models/base.py
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ def get_filtered_tags(
     def add_tag(
         self,
         tag_value: str,
-        parent_tag_id: int | None = None,
+        parent_tag_value: str | None = None,
         external_id: str | None = None
     ) -> Tag:
         """
@@ -369,8 +369,8 @@ def add_tag(
             raise ValueError(f"Tag with value '{tag_value}' already exists for taxonomy.")
 
         parent = None
-        if parent_tag_id:
-            parent = self.tag_set.get(id=parent_tag_id)
+        if parent_tag_value:
+            parent = self.tag_set.get(value__iexact=parent_tag_value)
 
         tag = Tag.objects.create(
             taxonomy=self, value=tag_value, parent=parent, external_id=external_id
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ def add_tag(
 
         return tag
 
-    def update_tag(self, tag_id: int, tag_value: str) -> Tag:
+    def update_tag(self, tag: str, new_value: str) -> Tag:
         """
         Update an existing Tag in Taxonomy and return it. Currently only
         supports updating the Tag's value.
@@ -396,12 +396,12 @@ def update_tag(self, tag_id: int, tag_value: str) -> Tag:
             )
 
         # Update Tag instance with new value
-        tag = self.tag_set.get(id=tag_id)
-        tag.value = tag_value
-        tag.save()
-        return tag
+        tag_to_update = self.tag_set.get(value__iexact=tag)
+        tag_to_update.value = new_value
+        tag_to_update.save()
+        return tag_to_update
 
-    def delete_tags(self, tag_ids: List[int], with_subtags: bool = False):
+    def delete_tags(self, tags: List[str], with_subtags: bool = False):
         """
         Delete the Taxonomy Tags provided. If any of them have children and
         the `with_subtags` is not set to `True` it will fail, otherwise
@@ -419,15 +419,15 @@ def delete_tags(self, tag_ids: List[int], with_subtags: bool = False):
                 "delete_tags() doesn't work for system defined taxonomies. They cannot be modified."
             )
 
-        tags = self.tag_set.filter(id__in=tag_ids)
+        tags_to_delete = self.tag_set.filter(value__in=tags)
 
-        if tags.count() != len(tag_ids):
+        if tags_to_delete.count() != len(tags):
             # If they do not match that means there is a Tag ID in the provided
             # list that is either invalid or does not belong to this Taxonomy
             raise ValueError("Invalid tag id provided or tag id does not belong to taxonomy")
 
         # Check if any Tag contains subtags (children)
-        contains_children = tags.filter(children__isnull=False).distinct().exists()
+        contains_children = tags_to_delete.filter(children__isnull=False).distinct().exists()
 
         if contains_children and not with_subtags:
             raise ValueError(
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ def delete_tags(self, tag_ids: List[int], with_subtags: bool = False):
             )
 
         # Delete the Tags with their subtags if any
-        tags.delete()
+        tags_to_delete.delete()
 
     def validate_value(self, value: str) -> bool:
         """
diff --git a/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/rest_api/v1/serializers.py b/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/rest_api/v1/serializers.py
index 0a1ef3cb..683888dd 100644
--- a/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/rest_api/v1/serializers.py
+++ b/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/rest_api/v1/serializers.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """
 API Serializers for taxonomies
 """
+from functools import reduce
 
 from rest_framework import serializers
 from rest_framework.reverse import reverse
@@ -201,21 +202,40 @@ class TaxonomyTagCreateBodySerializer(serializers.Serializer):  # pylint: disabl
     """
 
     tag = serializers.CharField(required=True)
-    parent_tag_id = serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField(
-        queryset=Tag.objects.all(), required=False
+    parent_tag_value = serializers.CharField(
+        source='parent.value', required=False
     )
     external_id = serializers.CharField(required=False)
 
+    def validate_parent_tag_value(self, value):
+        """
+        Check that the provided parent Tag exists based on the value
+        """
+        valid = Tag.objects.filter(value__iexact=value).exists()
+        if not valid:
+            raise serializers.ValidationError("Invalid `parent_tag_value` provided")
+
+        return value
+
 
 class TaxonomyTagUpdateBodySerializer(serializers.Serializer):  # pylint: disable=abstract-method
     """
     Serializer of the body for the Taxonomy Tags UPDATE view
     """
 
-    tag = serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField(
-        queryset=Tag.objects.all(), required=True
-    )
-    tag_value = serializers.CharField(required=True)
+    tag = serializers.CharField(source="value", required=True)
+    updated_tag_value = serializers.CharField(required=True)
+
+    def validate_tag(self, value):
+        """
+        Check that the provided Tag exists based on the value
+        """
+
+        valid = Tag.objects.filter(value__iexact=value).exists()
+        if not valid:
+            raise serializers.ValidationError("Invalid `tag` provided")
+
+        return value
 
 
 class TaxonomyTagDeleteBodySerializer(serializers.Serializer):  # pylint: disable=abstract-method
@@ -223,9 +243,18 @@ class TaxonomyTagDeleteBodySerializer(serializers.Serializer):  # pylint: disabl
     Serializer of the body for the Taxonomy Tags DELETE view
     """
 
-    tag_ids = serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField(
-        queryset=Tag.objects.all(),
-        many=True,
-        required=True
+    tags = serializers.ListField(
+        child=serializers.CharField(), required=True
     )
     with_subtags = serializers.BooleanField(required=False)
+
+    def validate_tags(self, value):
+        """
+        Check that the provided Tags exists based on the values
+        """
+
+        valid = Tag.objects.filter(value__in=value).count() == len(value)
+        if not valid:
+            raise serializers.ValidationError("One or more tag in `tags` is invalid")
+
+        return value
diff --git a/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/rest_api/v1/views.py b/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/rest_api/v1/views.py
index 663bd347..abeb4152 100644
--- a/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/rest_api/v1/views.py
+++ b/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/rest_api/v1/views.py
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ class TaxonomyTagsView(ListAPIView, RetrieveUpdateDestroyAPIView):
     **Create Request Body**
         * tag (required): The value of the Tag that should be added to
           the Taxonomy
-        * parent_tag_id (optional): The id of the parent tag that the new
+        * parent_tag_value (optional): The value of the parent tag that the new
           Tag should fall under
         * extenal_id (optional): The external id for the new Tag
 
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ class TaxonomyTagsView(ListAPIView, RetrieveUpdateDestroyAPIView):
         POST api/tagging/v1/taxonomy/:pk/tags                                       - Create a Tag in taxonomy
         {
             "value": "New Tag",
-            "parent_tag_id": 123
+            "parent_tag_value": "Parent Tag"
             "external_id": "abc123",
         }
 
@@ -459,19 +459,19 @@ class TaxonomyTagsView(ListAPIView, RetrieveUpdateDestroyAPIView):
         * pk (required) - The pk of the taxonomy to update a Tag in
 
     **Update Request Body**
-        * tag (required): The ID of the Tag that should be updated
-        * tag_value (required): The updated value of the Tag
+        * tag (required): The value (identifier) of the Tag to be updated
+        * updated_tag_value (required): The updated value of the Tag
 
     **Update Example Requests**
         PUT api/tagging/v1/taxonomy/:pk/tags                                        - Update a Tag in Taxonomy
         {
-            "tag": 1,
-            "tag_value": "Updated Tag Value"
+            "tag": "Tag 1",
+            "updated_tag_value": "Updated Tag Value"
         }
         PATCH api/tagging/v1/taxonomy/:pk/tags                                      - Update a Tag in Taxonomy
         {
-            "tag": 1,
-            "tag_value": "Updated Tag Value"
+            "tag": "Tag 1",
+            "updated_tag_value": "Updated Tag Value"
         }
 
     **Update Query Returns**
@@ -484,7 +484,8 @@ class TaxonomyTagsView(ListAPIView, RetrieveUpdateDestroyAPIView):
         * pk (required) - The pk of the taxonomy to Delete Tag(s) in
 
     **Delete Request Body**
-        * tag_ids (required): The IDs of Tags that should be deleted from Taxonomy
+        * tags (required): The values (identifiers) of Tags that should be
+                           deleted from Taxonomy
         * with_subtags (optional): If a Tag in the provided ids contains
                                    children (subtags), deletion will fail unless
                                    set to `True`. Defaults to `False`.
@@ -492,7 +493,7 @@ class TaxonomyTagsView(ListAPIView, RetrieveUpdateDestroyAPIView):
     **Delete Example Requests**
         DELETE api/tagging/v1/taxonomy/:pk/tags                                     - Delete Tag(s) in Taxonomy
         {
-            "tag_ids": [1,2,3],
+            "tags": ["Tag 1", "Tag 2", "Tag 3"],
             "with_subtags": True
         }
 
@@ -687,12 +688,12 @@ def post(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
         body.is_valid(raise_exception=True)
 
         tag = body.data.get("tag")
-        parent_tag_id = body.data.get("parent_tag_id", None)
+        parent_tag_value = body.data.get("parent_tag_value", None)
         external_id = body.data.get("external_id", None)
 
         try:
             new_tag = add_tag_to_taxonomy(
-                taxonomy, tag, parent_tag_id, external_id
+                taxonomy, tag, parent_tag_value, external_id
             )
         except TagDoesNotExist as e:
             raise Http404("Parent Tag not found") from e
@@ -718,10 +719,10 @@ def update(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
         body.is_valid(raise_exception=True)
 
         tag = body.data.get("tag")
-        tag_value = body.data.get("tag_value")
+        updated_tag_value = body.data.get("updated_tag_value")
 
         try:
-            updated_tag = update_tag_in_taxonomy(taxonomy, tag, tag_value)
+            updated_tag = update_tag_in_taxonomy(taxonomy, tag, updated_tag_value)
         except TagDoesNotExist as e:
             raise Http404("Tag not found") from e
         except ValueError as e:
@@ -746,11 +747,11 @@ def delete(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
         body = TaxonomyTagDeleteBodySerializer(data=request.data)
         body.is_valid(raise_exception=True)
 
-        tag_ids = body.data.get("tag_ids")
+        tags = body.data.get("tags")
         with_subtags = body.data.get("with_subtags")
 
         try:
-            delete_tags_from_taxonomy(taxonomy, tag_ids, with_subtags)
+            delete_tags_from_taxonomy(taxonomy, tags, with_subtags)
         except ValueError as e:
             raise ValidationError(e) from e
 
diff --git a/tests/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/test_views.py b/tests/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/test_views.py
index 1d5cf2b8..5274f7d1 100644
--- a/tests/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/test_views.py
+++ b/tests/openedx_tagging/core/tagging/test_views.py
@@ -1261,7 +1261,7 @@ def test_create_tag_in_taxonomy(self):
         self.assertIsNone(data.get("sub_tags_link"))
         self.assertEqual(data.get("children_count"), 0)
 
-    def test_create_tag_in_taxonomy_with_parent_id(self):
+    def test_create_tag_in_taxonomy_with_parent(self):
         self.client.force_authenticate(user=self.staff)
         parent_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
         new_tag_value = "New Child Tag"
@@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ def test_create_tag_in_taxonomy_with_parent_id(self):
 
         create_data = {
             "tag": new_tag_value,
-            "parent_tag_id": parent_tag.id,
+            "parent_tag_value": parent_tag.value,
             "external_id": new_external_id
         }
 
@@ -1340,14 +1340,14 @@ def test_create_tag_in_system_defined_taxonomy(self):
 
         assert response.status_code == status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST
 
-    def test_create_tag_in_taxonomy_with_invalid_parent_tag_id(self):
+    def test_create_tag_in_taxonomy_with_invalid_parent_tag(self):
         self.client.force_authenticate(user=self.staff)
-        invalid_parent_tag_id = 91919
+        invalid_parent_tag = "Invalid Tag"
         new_tag_value = "New Child Tag"
 
         create_data = {
             "tag": new_tag_value,
-            "parent_tag_id": invalid_parent_tag_id,
+            "parent_tag_value": invalid_parent_tag,
         }
 
         response = self.client.post(
@@ -1356,14 +1356,14 @@ def test_create_tag_in_taxonomy_with_invalid_parent_tag_id(self):
 
         assert response.status_code == status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST
 
-    def test_create_tag_in_taxonomy_with_parent_tag_id_in_other_taxonomy(self):
+    def test_create_tag_in_taxonomy_with_parent_tag_in_other_taxonomy(self):
         self.client.force_authenticate(user=self.staff)
-        invalid_parent_tag_id = 1
+        tag_in_other_taxonomy = Tag.objects.get(id=1)
         new_tag_value = "New Child Tag"
 
         create_data = {
             "tag": new_tag_value,
-            "parent_tag_id": invalid_parent_tag_id,
+            "parent_tag_value": tag_in_other_taxonomy.value,
         }
 
         response = self.client.post(
@@ -1400,8 +1400,8 @@ def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_while_loggedout(self):
         existing_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
 
         update_data = {
-            "tag": existing_tag.id,
-            "tag_value": updated_tag_value
+            "tag": existing_tag.value,
+            "updated_tag_value": updated_tag_value
         }
 
         # Test updating using the PUT method
@@ -1419,8 +1419,8 @@ def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_without_permission(self):
         existing_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
 
         update_data = {
-            "tag": existing_tag.id,
-            "tag_value": updated_tag_value
+            "tag": existing_tag.value,
+            "updated_tag_value": updated_tag_value
         }
 
         # Test updating using the PUT method
@@ -1439,8 +1439,8 @@ def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_with_different_methods(self):
         existing_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
 
         update_data = {
-            "tag": existing_tag.id,
-            "tag_value": updated_tag_value
+            "tag": existing_tag.value,
+            "updated_tag_value": updated_tag_value
         }
 
         # Test updating using the PUT method
@@ -1460,7 +1460,8 @@ def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_with_different_methods(self):
         self.assertEqual(data.get("external_id"), existing_tag.external_id)
 
         # Test updating using the PATCH method
-        update_data["tag_value"] = updated_tag_value_2
+        update_data["tag"] = updated_tag_value  # Since the value changed
+        update_data["updated_tag_value"] = updated_tag_value_2
         response = self.client.patch(
             self.small_taxonomy_url, update_data, format="json"
         )
@@ -1499,8 +1500,8 @@ def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_reflects_changes_in_object_tags(self):
 
         updated_tag_value = "Updated Tag"
         update_data = {
-            "tag": existing_tag.id,
-            "tag_value": updated_tag_value
+            "tag": existing_tag.value,
+            "updated_tag_value": updated_tag_value
         }
 
         # Test updating using the PUT method
@@ -1527,13 +1528,13 @@ def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_reflects_changes_in_object_tags(self):
         object_tag_3.refresh_from_db()
         self.assertEqual(object_tag_3.value, updated_tag_value)
 
-    def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_with_invalid_tag_id(self):
+    def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_with_invalid_tag(self):
         self.client.force_authenticate(user=self.staff)
         updated_tag_value = "Updated Tag"
 
         update_data = {
             "tag": 919191,
-            "tag_value": updated_tag_value
+            "updated_tag_value": updated_tag_value
         }
 
         response = self.client.put(
@@ -1542,13 +1543,14 @@ def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_with_invalid_tag_id(self):
 
         assert response.status_code == status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST
 
-    def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_with_tag_id_in_other_taxonomy(self):
+    def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_with_tag_in_other_taxonomy(self):
         self.client.force_authenticate(user=self.staff)
         updated_tag_value = "Updated Tag"
+        tag_in_other_taxonomy = Tag.objects.get(id=1)
 
         update_data = {
-            "tag": 1,
-            "tag_value": updated_tag_value
+            "tag": tag_in_other_taxonomy.value,
+            "updated_tag_value": updated_tag_value
         }
 
         response = self.client.put(
@@ -1564,7 +1566,7 @@ def test_update_tag_in_taxonomy_with_no_tag_value_provided(self):
         existing_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
 
         update_data = {
-            "tag": existing_tag.id
+            "tag": existing_tag.value
         }
 
         response = self.client.put(
@@ -1581,8 +1583,8 @@ def test_update_tag_in_invalid_taxonomy(self):
 
         updated_tag_value = "Updated Tag"
         update_data = {
-            "tag": existing_tag.id,
-            "tag_value": updated_tag_value
+            "tag": existing_tag.value,
+            "updated_tag_value": updated_tag_value
         }
 
         invalid_taxonomy_url = TAXONOMY_TAGS_URL.format(pk=919191)
@@ -1597,7 +1599,7 @@ def test_delete_single_tag_from_taxonomy_while_loggedout(self):
         existing_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
 
         delete_data = {
-            "tag_ids": [existing_tag.id],
+            "tags": [existing_tag.value],
             "with_subtags": True
         }
 
@@ -1613,7 +1615,7 @@ def test_delete_single_tag_from_taxonomy_without_permission(self):
         existing_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
 
         delete_data = {
-            "tag_ids": [existing_tag.id],
+            "tags": [existing_tag.value],
             "with_subtags": True
         }
 
@@ -1630,7 +1632,7 @@ def test_delete_single_tag_from_taxonomy(self):
         existing_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
 
         delete_data = {
-            "tag_ids": [existing_tag.id],
+            "tags": [existing_tag.value],
             "with_subtags": True
         }
 
@@ -1651,7 +1653,7 @@ def test_delete_multiple_tags_from_taxonomy(self):
         existing_tags = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None)[:3]
 
         delete_data = {
-            "tag_ids": [existing_tag.id for existing_tag in existing_tags],
+            "tags": [existing_tag.value for existing_tag in existing_tags],
             "with_subtags": True
         }
 
@@ -1673,7 +1675,7 @@ def test_delete_tag_with_subtags_should_fail_without_flag_passed(self):
         existing_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
 
         delete_data = {
-            "tag_ids": [existing_tag.id]
+            "tags": [existing_tag.value]
         }
 
         response = self.client.delete(
@@ -1689,7 +1691,7 @@ def test_delete_tag_in_invalid_taxonomy(self):
         existing_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
 
         delete_data = {
-            "tag_ids": [existing_tag.id]
+            "tags": [existing_tag.value]
         }
 
         invalid_taxonomy_url = TAXONOMY_TAGS_URL.format(pk=919191)
@@ -1699,11 +1701,11 @@ def test_delete_tag_in_invalid_taxonomy(self):
 
         assert response.status_code == status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND
 
-    def test_delete_tag_in_taxonomy_with_invalid_tag_id(self):
+    def test_delete_tag_in_taxonomy_with_invalid_tag(self):
         self.client.force_authenticate(user=self.staff)
 
         delete_data = {
-            "tag_ids": [91919]
+            "tags": ["Invalid Tag"]
         }
 
         response = self.client.delete(
@@ -1712,14 +1714,14 @@ def test_delete_tag_in_taxonomy_with_invalid_tag_id(self):
 
         assert response.status_code == status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST
 
-    def test_delete_tag_with_tag_id_in_other_taxonomy(self):
+    def test_delete_tag_with_tag_in_other_taxonomy(self):
         self.client.force_authenticate(user=self.staff)
 
         # Get Tag in other Taxonomy
         tag_in_other_taxonomy = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(parent=None).first()
 
         delete_data = {
-            "tag_ids": [tag_in_other_taxonomy.id]
+            "tags": [tag_in_other_taxonomy.value]
         }
 
         response = self.client.delete(
@@ -1735,7 +1737,7 @@ def test_delete_tag_in_taxonomy_without_subtags(self):
         existing_tag = self.small_taxonomy.tag_set.filter(children__isnull=True).first()
 
         delete_data = {
-            "tag_ids": [existing_tag.id]
+            "tags": [existing_tag.value]
         }
 
         response = self.client.delete(