As the topic suggests, I will explain everything you need to know about changing bvn name in Nigeria.
This is one of the frequently asked questions when it comes to the Bank Verification Number; how to change your BVN name and what are the requirements needed.
Without wasting your time, let’s proceed.
What you need to know about changing bvn name
- You can change your BVN name with a valid reason.
- You need a court affidavit, newspaper publication, and an ID.
- You must go to the bank where you enrolled for BVN.
- You can only change your BVN name once, not twice.
- It takes a maximum of two weeks for the change to be reflected in your BVN details.
Now, let me explain them one after the other.
1. Valid reason needed
If you go to the bank and request to change your BVN name, the first question the bank will ask is:
Why do you want to change your BVN name?
You must give a valid reason for wanting to change your bvn name.
If the response you provide them does not appear to be satisfactory, they may not be inclined to assist you.
So, you must have a valid reason for such a request. Don’t expect me to provide you with such a reason; no, I won’t do that.
Since you want to change your BVN name, you must have a reason for doing so. Therefore, you need to specify the reason.
2. A court affidavit, newspaper publication, and an ID required
Once the bank accepts your request, they will ask you to provide these documents;
- A court affidavit
- A newspaper publication
- An ID
Remember, the court affidavit will state your new name and not your old name. The same goes for newspaper publication.
Simply go to a reputable or good newspaper publication and place an advertisement for your change of name.
For ID, you have to bring an ID that bears your new name.
In some cases, the bank may request an ID that bears your old name. This means that you need to provide two IDs, one with your new name and the other with your old name.
If you do not provide any of these IDs, the bank will not change your BVN name.
So I recommend you to have these IDs readily available in case the bank requested for them.
3. Go to the bank where you enrolled for BVN
When it comes to BVN amendment, you must go to the bank where you enrolled for BVN.
If you go to any other bank, you will be referred back to the bank where you enrolled for BVN.
For example, if you have accounts with Access Bank and Zenith Bank, but you enrolled your BVN with Zenith Bank, you must go to Zenith Bank to change your BVN name or details.
4. You can only change your BVN name once
When it comes to changing BVN details, it can only be done once and not twice.
This is the reason why you need to be very careful and check if everything is correct before submission; otherwise, you cannot change your details a second time.
5. It takes a maximum of two weeks
After changing your BVN name, it takes a maximum of two weeks for the changes to reflect on your BVN.
In recent times, it takes two to five working days for the changes to reflect on your BVN details.
However, it should not exceed two weeks.
If it exceeds two weeks, please contact your bank.
Don’t Miss;
How to change bvn name
Once you have the requirements to change your bvn name, simply head over to the bank you enrolled for bvn and request that you want to change your bvn name.
Go ahead and explain your reason.
Once your request is accepted, and you have the neccesarily documents or requirements with you, the bank will issue a bvn ammendment form for you to fill.
Please take your time to fill out the form and ensure that everything you have written is correct, without any mistakes.
However, before submission, the bank customer service representative will ask you to look at the screen (the computer) and confirm whether every detail or piece of information is correct before they submit your request.
Again, take your time and review the information before the final submission.
And that’s it.
How to know if BVN name has been changed?
By simply going to the bank.
Quite annoying though.
Previously, checking BVN could be done anywhere as long as you had an active internet connection, but that has changed.
Mind you, I’m talking about BVN Validation Portal.
The BVN validation portal is no longer accessible to everyone except for those who have an account with them, which I believe includes banks and other BVN enrollment centers.
Previously, with N25 you can easily check your bvn details like your name, phone number, date of birth and address.
Right now, you can only go to the bank to check your bvn details or your bvn name.
Mind you, it won’t cost you a dime.
Simply give the bank your bank verification number and that’s all. I recommend you go with your ID incase the bank request for it.
Don’t Miss;
Can I change my BVN name twice?
No, you can only change your BVN name once.
If you go to the bank to change your BVN more than once, the bank will not entertain you.
But the truth is that there’s a situation where you may need to change your BVN name twice.
This situation is when your family changed their surname, which you did, and then you got married.
I have seen this type of case.
A lady’s family changed their surname, which prompted her to change her bank account name and BVN name. After four years, she returned to request another change (her husband’s name).
The bank did not listen to her or accept her request.
I’m telling you this so that you know that you can only change your bvn name or details once.
Letter for change of name in BVN
There are some banks that will ask you to write a letter to their branch manager for a BVN change if your name has changed.
I do find that very annoying.
Well, it’s their protocol.
This should be a formal letter and you should request the bank branch address.
Now, listen, if you don’t know how to write the letter or go about it, don’t be shy to ask for assistance from any bank employee you see at the bank.
And with this, I conclude today’s question of the day: changing BVN name in Nigeria.