Having the correct personal details linked to your Bank Verification Number (BVN) is important. What happens if there is a change in your name status due to marriage or other reasons?
In this blog post, we will extensively explain how you can go about changing your BVN name in Nigeria. This is a frequently asked question by many banking customers. Let’s get started.
Why Would You Need to Change Your BVN Name?
A change in name is one of the valid reasons accepted for requesting an amendment of BVN details. Some common scenarios requiring a BVN name change include:
- Marriage – If a woman gets married and wishes to use her husband’s surname for banking and KYC credentials.
- Divorce – Reverting back to maiden/original name after divorce from ex-partner whose name was used.
- Court Name Change – If a legal name change is approved by the court due to personal reasons.
- Error in Enrollment – In rare cases, the name entered during BVN capture needs rectification due to a mistake.
So in summary, marriage, divorce, court orders or correction of errors are deemed legitimate grounds for changing your BVN associated name details.
Documents Required for BVN Name Change
When approaching the bank to update your BVN name, you will need to provide certain key documents in original and photocopy format:
- Court Affidavit – A legal document asserting your new/changed name.
- Newspaper Publication – Proof of publishing your new name in a national newspaper.
- Valid ID with New Name – This could be an international passport, or national ID card reflecting a modified name.
- Optional Additional ID (Old Name) – Bank may request another ID showing your former name for verification.
It is very important that you get these key documents sorted with the correct details before initiating the BVN name change process to avoid delays.
Process of Changing BVN Name
Once you have gathered the required paperwork, here are the standard steps to change your BVN registered name:
- Visit Bank of BVN Enrollment
You need to approach the same bank branch where your BVN was originally enrolled with documents.
- Submit Name Change Request
Submit a written request mentioning the new name to be updated along with supporting papers.
- Fill Amendment Form
The bank officer will provide a standard BVN amendment form to be filled with new details.
- Review and Confirm Details
Carefully verify all information on the computer screen before final submission by staff.
- Processing and Update
It takes 2-14 days to internally process the request and reflect the change in the central BVN database.
- Verification and Completion
You can subsequently check the updated name online or by visiting the same bank branch.
It is always advisable to double check that your requested change is accurately reflected post-completion to avoid issues later.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked queries related to changing the BVN name in Nigeria:
Q. How many times can I modify my BVN name?
A. Only one name change is permitted for a BVN. Further requests will not be entertained by the bank.
Q. What name do I use for adverts and affidavits?
A. Use only your new name for court affidavits, gazette or newspaper publications regarding the change.
Q. Can I update my name at any bank?
A. No, you must approach the same branch where you originally enrolled for your BVN for any amendments.
Q. How long before change is reflected?
A. It takes 2-14 working days maximum as per CBN guidelines. You can check the status after this time period.
Q. What if I forget my old or new name?
A. Visit your bank with ID proof. They can retrieve correct names linked to your BVN from the central database.
Q. Is BVN name change fee applicable?
A. No, as per CBN rules, no fees or charges are permitted by banks for modifying your BVN details like name.
I hope this clears all your doubts regarding the step-by-step process to legally change your registered BVN name in Nigeria. Proper documentation is the key.
How to Verify Your Changed BVN Name
After you submit your name change request and wait for the mandatory processing period, it is important to verify that the modification was successfully implemented correctly.
There are two standard methods to check your updated BVN name:
- Visit Your Bank Branch
Head to the same bank where you initiated the change with proof of identity. They can pull up your current BVN details from the central database.
- Use Bank Mobile App
If you have online banking activated, log into your preferred bank’s mobile app. Go to the profile/settings section to view your latest BVN registered name.
Some additional ways include:
- Checking BVN on payslips (if the name is reflected correctly)
- Verifying name on digital wallet/USSD banking services
- Comparing names on loan/insurance documents
This validation helps catch any discrepancies that need to be reported to the bank for rectification before using your BVN-linked accounts further.
Can BVN Name be Changed Twice?
As per policy guidelines, your BVN name or personal details can only be amended once successfully. Here are some points explaining this restriction:
- The Central BVN database is programmed to allow just one modification per BVN holder.
- Multiple name changes defeat the core purpose of using biometrics for lifelong identification.
- It increases risks of errors, fraud, and mismatch of identity credentials over time.
- Exceptions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis like marriage-divorce-marriage situation.
However, in rare scenarios involving two legal and documented name transformations, you can write to the bank’s head office for an appeal. The onus is on you to furnish strong proofs for another alteration.
But generally, planning your one-time change carefully to avoid further need is advisable as multiple requests are discouraged as a rule. Proper documentation remains key at all stages.
What If I Forget My BVN Name
Though highly unlikely, if for some reason you are unable to recollect the name linked to your BVN, here are the steps to retrieve it:
- Visit Your Bank in Person
Approach any branch of the bank you are enrolled with along with a valid photo ID proof.
- Staff Will Pull Up Your Details
After verifying your identity, the bank executive can fetch your complete BVN profile from the central database.
- Your Original Name Will be Shared
They will share both your current registered as well as your old name if it has been modified before.
- No Cost is Involved
Retrieving forgotten BVN name details in this manner is completely free of charge as per CBN rules.
So in summary, never panic if you happen to forget your name. The bank can always recover it from their BVN records with your ID. This highlights the importance of keeping BVN and linked credentials updated always.
Conclusion
To summarize, changing your BVN registered name in Nigeria is indeed possible through a standardized process if you have a valid use case and relevant documentation. Proper planning and adherence to guidelines will help you modify details smoothly at your bank of enrollment. Retaining records is also important subsequently. I hope this guide has addressed all your queries regarding this significant task.