How to Change the Name on Your PayPal Account

Maintaining accurate personal information, particularly a correct name, is essential for account security and compliance with financial regulations. An incorrect name can lead to processing delays or issues with linking external accounts. This guide outlines the process for updating your name on a PayPal account, ensuring your information remains current and compliant.

Understanding Name Change Requirements

Before initiating a name change on your PayPal account, understand the different types of changes and the documentation they require. Users commonly update their name due to life events such as marriage, divorce, or a legal name change through a court order. Minor spelling corrections, like a single character typo, also necessitate a name change process.

PayPal distinguishes between minor corrections and legal name changes, each with specific requirements. For minor adjustments, involving one or two characters, documentation may not be required. For any significant alteration, such as a legal name change, you will need to provide official documents. These include a valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, and a legal document verifying the name change, like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. These documents must be clear, legible, and current for review.

To begin, navigate to the PayPal website and log in to your account, as name changes cannot be completed through the mobile application. Once logged in, locate the “Settings” icon. Within the settings, you will find an option to “Change Name” or similar, which guides you to the appropriate section.

Submitting Your Name Change Request

After gathering the necessary documentation based on the type of name change, submit your request through the PayPal platform. After accessing the “Change Name” section within your account settings, you will be prompted to select the reason for your name change. This selection determines the specific documents PayPal will require for verification.

For minor corrections, you may adjust the spelling directly on the screen if the change involves only a few characters. For legal name changes, the system guides you to upload the required supporting documents. This involves uploading digital copies of your government-issued ID and the legal document proving your name change. Ensure that uploaded files are in accepted formats, such as JPG, PNG, or PDF, and meet any specified size limitations.

After uploading your documents, confirm the submission of your name change request. The system provides an on-screen confirmation indicating your request has been received and is under review. This confirmation signifies the procedural steps for submitting your updated name information are complete.

After Your Name Change Request

After submitting your name change request, PayPal will initiate a review of the provided documents. This review typically takes three to five business days, though some cases may require longer processing. During this period, PayPal assesses the authenticity and clarity of the submitted documentation to ensure compliance with its policies.

You will receive notification regarding the outcome of your request, usually via email or through an in-app message within your PayPal account. The name change will either be approved, leading to your account reflecting the updated information, or it may be denied if the documents are insufficient or unclear. Should your request be denied, PayPal will provide a reason, which might necessitate re-submitting clearer documents or contacting customer support for further guidance.

If the process extends beyond the expected timeframe, or if you have questions regarding the status of your request, you can check the PayPal Resolution Center for updates. For direct assistance, contacting PayPal customer support is advisable, and having your case number readily available can help expedite the inquiry.