The holotype, ZPAL MgD-I/156, was discovered at the Bayan Shireh Formation in Mongolia, coming from the Sheeregeen Gashoon locality near Sainshand.
The discoveries were made during field exploration by the Polish-Mongolian Palaeontological Expedition, in 1971.
Four years later, in 1975, the specimen was described by Teresa Maryańska and Halszka Osmólska and referred to the genus Microceratops.
However, Paul Sereno noted that the referral for this specimen was injustified and overall, the genus lacked diagnosis, therefore, Microceratops (now named Microceratus) was considered a nomen dubium.
The referred specimen was redescribed by him, creating a new genus and species: Graciliceratops mongoliensis.

The holotype is fragmentary, consisting of a very fragmented skull with mandibles; vertebrae, 4 cervicals, 12 dorsals and 7 sacrals; right scapula; proximal end of left scapula; left coracoid; right humerus, radius and fragmentary ulna; proximal and distal end of left humerus; proximal fragments of both pubis; fragments of both illium and fragment of right ischium; right femur, tibia and nearly complete pes; distal part of left tibia, fragmentary left pes; tarsals and isolated ribs.
The generic name, Graciliceratops, is derived from the Latin gracilis (meaning slender) and the Greek κέρατο (kérato, meaning horn) in reference to its fragile build.
Lastly, the specific name, mongolienses, is to emphasize the place of its discovery: Mongolia.
The holotype, ZPAL MgD-I/156, was discovered at the Bayan Shireh Formation in Mongolia, coming from the Sheeregeen Gashoon locality near Sainshand. The discoveries were made during field exploration by the Polish-Mongolian Palaeontological Expedition, in 1971. Four years later, in 1975, the specimen was described by Teresa Maryańska and Halszka Osmólska and referred to the genus Microceratops. However, Paul Sereno noted that the referral for this specimen was injustified and overall, the genus lacked diagnosis, therefore, Microceratops (now named Microceratus) was considered a nomen dubium. The referred specimen was redescribed by him, creating a new genus and species: Graciliceratops mongoliensis.
The holotype is fragmentary, consisting of a very fragmented skull with mandibles; vertebrae, 4 cervicals, 12 dorsals and 7 sacrals; right scapula; proximal end of left scapula; left coracoid; right humerus, radius and fragmentary ulna; proximal and distal end of left humerus; proximal fragments of both pubis; fragments of both illium and fragment of right ischium; right femur, tibia and nearly complete pes; distal part of left tibia, fragmentary left pes; tarsals and isolated ribs. The generic name, Graciliceratops, is derived from the Latin gracilis (meaning slender) and the Greek κέρατο (kérato, meaning horn) in reference to its fragile build. Lastly, the specific name, mongolienses, is to emphasize the place of its discovery: Mongolia.
Graciliceratops