Congratulations! You’re ready to change your name – whether it’s a result of a marriage, kicking your ex to the curb, transitioning, or just getting a fresh start, it’s a time of change and a mark of new things to come.
The name change process can be tricky to navigate, but luckily, when it comes to updating your shiny new name with your bank, the process is simple – at least with First Merchants Bank.
“Our process is streamlined, so we just need customers to fill out one form and provide a couple of supporting documents,” Christine Samples, Banking Center Manager with First Merchants, said.
When to Update Your Name
When do you update your name on your bank accounts? Unfortunately, you can’t do it as soon as you decide to make the change – it has to be official first.
Once you’ve gone through the legal process of changing your name, updated it with the Social Security Administration, and gotten a new driver’s license or photo I.D., it is time to head to the bank.
What You’ll Need
When you go to the bank – and Christine recommends making an appointment for the process – you’ll need a few key pieces of paperwork.
What to bring:
- A primary form of ID that has your new name on it. This can be a driver’s license, a passport, or another form of government-issued photo ID.
- A secondary form of ID. This can be your Social Security Card, a bank statement, a W-2, a birth certificate, or some other official document that has your current name and address on it.
- Your official name change documentation. This will be your marriage license, divorce decree, or court order for a name change.
“I had a customer once who wondered why we needed the court order,” Christine shared. “But, as a bank, we have to abide by federal regulations – one of which is logging ‘why’ a name change occurs on an account. And it’s really in the interest of your safety to be absolutely sure someone’s not flashing a fake ID and switching over your accounts.”
What to Expect
When you go to change your name on your bank account, you’ll go to your nearest welcoming banking center and ask to meet with one of our attentive bankers.
“This is an office visit, not something that can be done in the teller line,” said Christine. “So, it can be helpful to schedule an appointment ahead of time so you don’t have to wait if you come in during a busy time.”
You’ll be asked to provide the correct paperwork, and then you will fill out First Merchants’ “Request for Name Change” form.
“After that, our bankers will update it in the system, and the change will be immediately reflected in your accounts.”
You’ll also be issued a new debit or credit card with your new name. You may receive the new cards that same day if the banking center has Instant Issue capabilities, or they may be mailed to you.
“The great news is that, for a name change, the card number stays the same – so if you have automatic bill pay set up anywhere, it will not affect those transactions,” Christine said.
Overall, if you only have a couple of accounts, the process should take 10-15 minutes.
Other Considerations and Fraud Prevention Tips
Fraud is rampant, and someone requesting a name change on an account is an area where bankers must tread carefully. Christine explained that they have to prove identity beyond a shadow of a doubt to protect their customers.
But there are a few ways to make the process less nail-biting and to further protect you from fraud.
One of those, Christine explained, is to form a relationship with your bank and your bankers. Do some of your banking in person at your local banking center. Chat with the tellers and get to know the banking center manager. If your bank has a face to put with a name, it makes it harder for someone to attempt to impersonate you – and if your banker knows your financial habits, it makes it easier to spot fraud on an account.
“We recognize our clients,” Christine said. “Whether they lose weight, gain weight, grow old, or transition – that relationship is there, and building that relationship with clients is an important line of defense when it comes to stopping fraud.”
Another thing that can help protect you from someone impersonating you is to allow the bank to scan a copy of your photo ID and keep it on file.
“I cannot tell you how many times we’ve had scammers present a false ID, claiming to be one of our customers,” Christine explained. “If our client has a recent photo ID on file with us, it’s easy to pull that up and confirm that the person in front of me is impersonating them.”
Christine says she and her team make a habit of asking customers if they’d like to add or update their photo ID on file and encourages anyone who is asked that at a bank to say, “Yes.”
“It really is a step that helps us protect you,” she said.
Resources
Find more fraud prevention tips in our Security Center.
Find your local welcoming banking center.
Make an appointment to change the name on your accounts.
