Changing your legal name on important documents and items don’t happen often, so when it is time to change your name on your credit cards, you may not have a clue where to start. More common reasons for changing your name would be after getting married or divorced.
Some adults legally change their names either taking their father or mother’s last name. Or, some people even change their name given to them at birth to a name they think suits them better. Once you’ve gone through the legal process of changing your name, it is time to change the name on your credit cards.
Credit card issuers have different requirements for changing your name on your credit card. If you only need to do something simple like correcting the spelling on your name or middle initial, you may be able to do this online or with a quick phone call to customer service.
For bigger, more sophisticated name changes, you may need to call or send documentation to change your name on a credit card. This process can be time-consuming depending on the number of credit cards you have. Before you change your name on your credit cards, you will have to legally change your name on your Social Security card and your driver’s license.
Before You Call Your Credit Card Issuer
If you want to change your name on your social security card, that requires a trip to the Social Security office. Before you go, however, you must print and fill out an Application for a Social Security Card. Then, you must take your completed application and proof of your name change to the Social Security office to complete the process.
Name change proof includes a marriage certificate, divorce decree, certificate of naturalization showing your new name, or court order approving your name change. Additionally, to prove your identity, you must bring a previous name, like your driver’s license. After a few weeks, you will receive a new Social Security card with your updated name and the same Social Security Number as before.
Once you’ve changed your name on your Social Security card, you can change your name on your driver’s license. Take a drip to your nearest DMV, with your name change documents, your old driver’s license, and your corrected social security card to be on the safe side.
Changing Your Name on Your Credit Cards
Now that you have officially changed your name to the one that you want. You can contact your credit card issuers to start the process of changing your name on your credit cards. Once you have completed this process, your credit card issuer will mail a new credit card to you with your new name on the front.
Out of all the credit card issuers that post the instructions on how to change the name on your credit card online, only American Express allows you to change your name online. All you have to do is fill out a name change authorization form and upload a copy of your new identification, such as a driver’s license, to complete your request.
If you live near a Bank of America, then you should take your government-issued photo ID with any additional documentation to a Bank of American financial center or call customer service to complete your request.
For any other credit card issuers, calling the number on the back of your credit card is the best way to start the process. Be ready to mail, fax, or mail copies of your documentation to complete your name change request.
Changing the name on your credit card doesn’t change anything else related to your actual credit card account. You will maintain the same account number, credit limit, balance, and all other credit card details.
Changing Your Name on Your Credit Report
After you finish all the steps of changing your name and everything is in order, you actually don’t have to notify the credit bureaus of your name change.
This is because when your creditors update your credit report information, your new name will be sent to the credit bureaus along with the rest of your account information. Your name will show up in the personal information section of your credit report.
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Bottom Line
Changing your name on your credit cards doesn’t have to be a difficult process. As long as you follow the instructions we’ve detailed in our guide, you will be fine and the process will go smoothly.
Simply, do the basic stuff first like your driver’s license so you have some form of proof to provide for your credit card issuers. For more posts like this, check out our list of bank guides and credit card bonuses!
