Changing Your Name on Bank Accounts
Each bank sets its own process. What bank help pages list, and official places to get help.
- Each bank or credit union sets its own name-change process. The federal consumer pages NewLastName checked (2026-10-19) don’t set one document list for updating a name on an existing account. The three bank help pages checked ask for an updated photo ID and the name-change document (examples in What three banks’ help pages say).
- Why banks ask for ID: federal Customer Identification Program (CIP) rules require banks to verify identity when an account is opened (31 CFR 1020.220; OCC HelpWithMyBank). FinCEN's CIP FAQ says the rule applies to “a person that opens a new account.”
- If a problem isn't resolved with the bank: the CFPB takes complaints “about a financial product or service”; the OCC (HelpWithMyBank), FDIC and NCUA (MyCreditUnion.gov) have consumer assistance pages (see If the bank won't accept your documents).
Fee and timing: not listed on the official pages checked (2026-10-19). Ask your bank.
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What we checked
From the official and bank pages checked 2026-10-19. A blank cell means no official source was found.
| Where | The 3 bank pages checked: branch or financial center; U.S. Bank also lists a phone option |
| Documents | Updated photo ID + name-change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order), per the 3 bank pages checked |
| Why ID is checked | Federal CIP rule for opening accounts (31 CFR 1020.220) |
How to Change Your Bank Name
The steps below come from banks’ own help pages; your bank’s page is the final word.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
The bank pages checked ask for an updated photo ID and the name-change document. Wells Fargo, for example, asks for “an original or a certified copy.” Ask your bank what it accepts.
Name-change documents the bank pages list: marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order (see the table). Wells Fargo says it will “copy and retain a portion of these documents.”
USAGov: “Having an updated license or state ID will make changing your name with other agencies easier.” See Social Security and driver’s license.
Step 2: Use your bank’s own process
Bank of America asks you to “schedule an appointment in a financial center”; Wells Fargo says to “meet with a banker”; U.S. Bank lists “any branch” or a phone option. Check your bank’s help page.
Credit unions set their own process too. For federally insured credit unions, NCUA runs a Consumer Assistance Center at MyCreditUnion.gov.
Joint accounts: Bank of America says, “If there are multiple owners on the account, all account owners will need to be present.” Other banks: check their page.
Step 3: Card, checks and automatic payments
Wells Fargo’s page says, “We will also send you a new debit/ATM card and/or credit card.” Ask your bank whether your card, checks or automatic payments change, and when.
What to Bring to the Bank
What the 3 bank pages checked list (2026-10-19). Your bank may ask for something different.
- Updated government-issued photo ID (all 3 bank pages).
- Name-change document: marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order (all 3 bank pages; Wells Fargo: “an original or a certified copy”).
- U.S. Bank also lists a Social Security card or naturalization papers among the documents it accepts.
What three banks’ help pages say
3 banks shown: the bank help pages that loaded and named their documents on 10/19/2026. Other banks and credit unions: see your bank's own help page. NewLastName is not affiliated with these banks.
| Bank (own help page) | Where | Documents the page lists (checked 2026-10-19) | Other points on the page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America — bankofamerica.com/signature-services/account-ownership-changes/ | “schedule an appointment in a financial center” | “A valid government-issued photo ID”; one of “marriage certificate, divorce decree indicating name change, court order of name change or adoption certificate” | “If there are multiple owners on the account, all account owners will need to be present” |
| Wells Fargo — wellsfargo.com/help/online-banking/profile-faqs/ | “meet with a banker in your nearest Wells Fargo branch” | “updated photo ID and an original or a certified copy of any supporting documents (such as marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other court orders)” | “We will also send you a new debit/ATM card and/or credit card.” |
| U.S. Bank — usbank.com/customer-service/knowledge-base/KB0069474.html | “at any branch”; the page also lists a phone option | “an updated government-issued ID or passport and legal name change documents” (Social Security card, marriage certificate, divorce decree, court document with an official seal, stamp or authorized signature, naturalization papers) | Does not accept “a marriage license unless it also works as a certificate…” |
Other accounts to check
- Other accounts at the same bank (savings, CDs, loans, credit cards): ask whether one request covers them.
- Retirement, investment and insurance accounts may be held by other companies with their own forms; check with each provider.
- Credit cards: see credit card name change.
If the bank won't accept your documents
- CFPB: consumerfinance.gov/complaint — “Submit a complaint about a financial product or service.”
- OCC: helpwithmybank.gov — “information and assistance for customers of national banks and federal savings associations”; its “Who Regulates My Bank?” page.
- FDIC: fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center — “submit a request, file a complaint or inquiry”.
- NCUA (federally insured credit unions): mycreditunion.gov Consumer Assistance Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to change your name on bank accounts?
None of the official pages or the 3 bank pages NewLastName checked (2026-10-19) list a fee for a name change. Ask your bank, and check its fee schedule.
What if my bank doesn't accept my name change documents?
Ask the bank which documents it accepts; its help page may list them. If the problem isn’t resolved, the CFPB takes complaints “about a financial product or service” (consumerfinance.gov/complaint). The OCC’s HelpWithMyBank.gov has a “Who Regulates My Bank?” page, and NCUA’s MyCreditUnion.gov covers federally insured credit unions.
Do I update Social Security and my license first?
USAGov says to notify the Social Security Administration early and says an updated license or state ID “will make changing your name with other agencies easier.” The bank pages checked ask for an updated photo ID. See the order of agencies.
What documents do banks ask for?
The 3 bank pages checked (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, 2026-10-19) ask for an updated government-issued photo ID plus a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order. Wells Fargo asks for “an original or a certified copy.” Other banks: check their page.
Why does the bank check my ID?
Federal Customer Identification Program rules (31 CFR 1020.220) require banks to verify the identity of customers who open accounts; FinCEN’s FAQ says the rule applies to “a person that opens a new account.” What a bank asks for when you update a name on an existing account is set by that bank.
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.
- How to change your name and what government agencies to notify (USAGov)
- 31 CFR 1020.220: Customer Identification Program requirements for banks (eCFR (National Archives))
- Section 1020.220: Customer identification program requirements for banks (Federal Reserve Board)
- FAQs: final CIP rule (PDF) (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN))
- Required identification: ID types (OCC HelpWithMyBank.gov)
- HelpWithMyBank.gov (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC))
- Who Regulates My Bank? (OCC HelpWithMyBank.gov)
- Submit a complaint (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB))
- Consumer Resource Center (FDIC)
- Consumer Assistance Center (NCUA (MyCreditUnion.gov))
Links checked 2026-10-19.
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Last checked 2026-10-19 · Not legal advice · Terms · Privacy