How Do I Change My Name on TransUnion?

Generally you do not need a court order to change your name on TransUnion, because a government‑issued document that reflects the new name - such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, updated driver's license or a Social Security name update - is enough for a name update; a court order only becomes necessary if the name change was issued solely by a court and you lack any other identifying document, for example a deed‑poll change without a new ID, in which case TransUnion will ask for the official court order as proof.

This ties into the online name‑change steps described earlier and the list of documents TransUnion accepts, which you'll see in the next section.

You can change your TransUnion name online through the TransUnion Consumer Center portal.

1. Gather required documents - a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the new name.
2. Create or log in to your TransUnion account - visit TransUnion name‑change portal.
3. Select 'Name Update' - choose the online name‑change option and read the brief instructions.
4. Upload scanned copies - attach clear PDF or JPEG files of the accepted documents (see the next H2 for the full list).
5. Enter the new name exactly as it appears on the documents - double‑check spelling to avoid mismatches across bureaus.
6. Confirm and submit - the system will display a confirmation number; keep it for future reference.
7. Wait for processing - TransUnion typically updates the record within 10 - 14 business days, then notifies you by email.

After the online update, you'll move to the 'confirm the name change and get proof from TransUnion' section to verify the correction and obtain a verification letter.

If any issue arises, the 'handle denied requests and appeal a TransUnion decision' section explains next steps.

TransUnion generally requires one of the following documents to verify a name change:

• Certified copy of a marriage certificate that shows the new name.
• Court order that legally changes your name.
• Certified divorce decree that includes the new name.
• Updated Social Security Administration card or SSA name‑change confirmation letter.
• Current government‑issued ID (passport, driver's license, or state ID) displaying the new name.

Once the Social Security Administration or passport office issues a new ID with your updated name, you can request a TransUnion name update.

• Obtain the updated Social Security card or passport (shows new name).
• Gather a secondary government‑issued ID (driver's license, state ID) and a recent utility bill for address verification.
• Log in to your TransUnion My Account or download the name‑change PDF from the TransUnion website.
• Upload the new Social Security card or passport, the secondary ID, and the utility bill.
• Submit the request; TransUnion typically processes the name update within 7 - 10 business days (see 'how long will TransUnion take to update your name' for details).

After submission, monitor your TransUnion portal for confirmation. If the update fails, refer to the 'documents TransUnion accepts for name changes' section to ensure all required documents were provided.

TransUnion generally updates a name within 7‑10 business days after it receives the required documents. If you use the TransUnion name‑change portal, the system often reflects the update in 24‑48 hours.

Delays may occur if the Social Security number does not match, a court order is pending, or processing volume spikes; in such cases the update may take up to 30 days. Verify the status by logging into your account, then proceed to the next section to obtain proof of the name change.

After TransUnion finishes processing your documents, you can verify the name update and obtain official proof within a few days.

• Log in to your myTransUnion account, go to the Personal Information section, and confirm that the new name appears.
• Order a free credit report; the report's header shows the updated name and serves as reliable proof.
• Use the online 'Name Change Confirmation Letter' tool or call TransUnion's customer service to request a written verification of the name update.
• Save the PDF or printed letter; lenders accept it as documentation for loans, credit cards, or other accounts.

If identity theft or fraud caused an incorrect name on your credit file, file a police report and an FTC Identity Theft Report, then send both documents plus a copy of a government‑issued ID to TransUnion's fraud department. Include a written request that explicitly asks for a name change and reference the attached reports; see the TransUnion identity theft page for the exact mailing address.

After TransUnion receives the packet, it generally processes the name update within 30 days; you can then verify the change using the confirmation steps outlined in the next section.

TransUnion updates a chosen or common‑use name only when you submit a legal document that verifies the name, otherwise the report keeps the original legal name.

If you want to use a chosen name (for example a nickname or a gender‑affirming name) without a legal change, TransUnion generally will not replace the legal name on your credit file. You can file a dispute and ask to add a 'also known as' note, but the primary name remains unchanged unless a court order, marriage certificate, or updated driver's license proves the name legally. This approach mirrors the 'documents TransUnion accepts for name changes' guidance and lets you keep a preferred name visible to lenders while preserving the legal identifier.

If the name you use socially is reflected in any official record - such as a new driver's license, passport, or a court‑approved name change - TransUnion will treat it as a common‑use name and update the primary name on your file. Provide the original document, a copy of the updated ID, and the name‑change request form. TransUnion typically processes the update within 30 days, matching the timeline described in the 'how long will TransUnion take to update your name' section. Should the agency reject the request, consult the next section on handling denied requests and appealing a TransUnion decision.

If TransUnion rejects your name update, you can appeal the decision by following these steps.

1. Read the denial notice - note the specific reason (missing court order, insufficient ID, etc.). Keep the reference number for all future contact.
2. Collect the required proof - gather any documents TransUnion accepts for name changes, such as a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order (see the 'documents Transunion accepts for name changes' section). Include a clear copy of your updated Social Security card if it was not part of the original request.
3. Submit a formal appeal - send a letter to TransUnion's Consumer Relations department (P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016) referencing the denial number, restating your request, and attaching the newly supplied documents. Use certified mail for tracking.
4. Use the online dispute portal - log in at TransUnion's credit dispute site, select 'Name Change' as the dispute type, upload the same supporting files, and write a brief explanation of why the original denial was incorrect.
5. Call if needed - speak with a representative at 1‑800‑916‑8800, provide the reference number, and ask for a supervisor if the initial agent cannot resolve the issue.
6. Escalate after 30 days - if TransUnion does not respond within the statutory 30‑day window, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB complaint portal) and consider contacting your state attorney general's consumer protection office. Keep copies of all correspondence for future reference.

These actions give you a clear path to overturn a denied name update and ensure TransUnion processes the correct information.

Being listed as an authorized user or on a joint account can push an Experian file from unscorable to scorable, but only if the underlying tradeline meets Experian's scoring criteria. A primary holder with a long‑standing, on‑time credit‑card payment history adds positive data; Experian then treats the authorized user as a credit‑active consumer, allowing a score to be generated. See how authorized user accounts work for details.

If the authorized‑user or joint account shows no recent activity, is a closed utility line, or belongs to a creditor that Experian does not score, the file stays unscorable. The tradeline supplies insufficient or non‑reportable information, so Experian cannot calculate a credit score despite the additional account listing.

Prevent loan denials and credit delays after a name change by updating your Social Security record, confirming the name update with TransUnion, and notifying every lender you expect to work with.

Give each lender a certified copy of the court order, marriage certificate, or passport showing the name change, and ask them to pull your credit file using the new name. Verify that TransUnion's online portal shows the updated name before the lender runs the check, because mismatched records typically trigger a hard pull denial.

After lenders have the correct information, you can proceed to fix any remaining name mismatches across TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax in the next section.