How to Change Your Name on Experian

Choose online for the fastest update; otherwise use mail (or fax) - phone cannot be used.

• Online - Log into your Experian account, upload the required ID documents, and submit the Name Change Request. Updates appear in your credit file within 3 - 5 business days after verification.
• Mail (or fax) - Complete the Name Change Request form, attach copies of the required IDs, and send them to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 2 - 4 weeks, after which Experian sends a written confirmation.
• Phone - Experian does not accept name‑change documents by phone; you must submit the request online or by mail/fax.

Experian always asks for these five documents when you request a name change.

1. A government‑issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport) that shows your current name and date of birth.
2. A certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order that legally establishes your new name.
3. A Social Security Administration name‑change confirmation letter or an updated Social Security card reflecting the new name.
4. A recent proof‑of‑address document (utility bill, bank statement, or rental agreement) dated within the last 60 days.
5. The completed Experian Name Change Request Form, which you can download online or receive by mail.

Identify and resolve any mismatched or duplicate credit files before you submit a name change request to Experian. Pull your latest Experian report, compare the name, Social Security number, and address fields, and note any discrepancies or extra files that list a different maiden or former name.

Use Experian's online portal, phone line, or mail checklist (see the 'choose online, mail, or phone for your Experian name change' section) to file a dispute for each error; include a copy of your government ID and proof of the correct information.

Once Experian confirms the merge or correction - usually within 30 days - proceed to the 'change your Experian name after marriage or divorce' steps. For detailed dispute instructions, visit the Experian help center.

Change your Experian name after marriage or divorce by submitting a legal name‑change document plus updated ID, then follow the same online, mail, or phone process described earlier.

What Experian requires for a marriage or divorce name change

• Marriage certificate (original or certified copy) or final divorce decree showing your former and new name.
• Government‑issued photo ID that reflects the new name (driver's license or passport).
• Updated Social Security card matching the new name.
• Proof of current address (utility bill, bank statement, or lease).
• Your most recent Experian credit report or account number for verification.

Gather these five items before you start; see the 'gather 5 documents Experian always requires' section for a checklist template.

Submitting the request

• Choose the method you selected in the 'choose online, mail, or phone for your Experian name change' section.
• Upload or mail the documents exactly as listed; for online submissions use Experian's secure portal Experian name‑change portal.
• If you call, have the document numbers handy and be ready to fax copies.

Once Experian validates the paperwork, the new name replaces the old one on your credit file, and you can move on to confirming lenders show the updated name in the next step.

Update your credit file in minutes by using Experian's secure online portal.

1. Log in to your Experian account at Experian credit report login.
2. Click Personal Information (or Profile) then choose Name Change.
3. Enter your new legal name exactly as it appears on the supporting document.
4. Upload a clear scan of one required document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or adoption papers).
5. Review the summary, confirm the changes, and submit.

Experian processes the upload instantly; you receive an on‑screen confirmation and an email receipt within seconds. Your file reflects the new name as soon as the verification is complete, usually within the same business day. Proceed to the next section for mail‑in checklist if you prefer a paper trail.

Mail your Experian name change request using this exact checklist to avoid delays.

• Cover letter stating the name‑change request, your full legal name, previous name, Social Security number, date of birth, and reason (marriage, divorce, court order, etc.)
• Certified copy of the legal name‑change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order)
• Two government‑issued IDs showing the new name (driver's license, passport) or one ID plus a utility bill with the new name
• Proof of address that matches the new name (utility bill or bank statement dated within 60 days)
• Completed Experian Name‑Change Form, signed and dated (download from Experian's website)
• Self‑addressed stamped envelope for the updated credit report
• Photocopy of your current Experian credit report (optional but speeds processing)
• Send the package to Experian®, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013, using certified mail with return receipt

Court orders, adoption decrees, and gender‑change certificates must be submitted by mail - Experian does not accept these through the online or phone portals.

Include the completed Experian name‑change request form, a clear photocopy of a government‑issued photo ID, and a certified copy of the legal document (court order, adoption decree, or gender‑change certificate). Write 'Legal name change' on the envelope and send it to Experian's address listed on their support page.

Processing takes about 7‑10 business days once the package arrives. If your credit file still shows the old name after that window, call Experian's customer line and reference the mailed documents. The next step will cover expected timelines and when to follow up.

Expect Experian to finish a name change in 7‑10 business days when you submit online or by phone, and in 14‑21 business days if you mail the request.

Check the update by logging into your Experian account and reviewing the personal‑information tab; the new name should appear alongside your credit file. If it does not, call Experian's support line (1‑888‑EXPERIAN) and give the reference number from your confirmation email.

Follow up after the deadline passes - around day 10 for online or phone submissions, and around day 21 for mailed requests. Keep your case number handy; the next section explains what to do if Experian rejects the change.

If Experian rejects your name‑change request, find the exact reason and correct it before you resubmit.

1. Open the rejection email or letter; note the error code or missing document it cites.
2. Compare the cited issue with the five core documents Experian always requires (legal name change document, photo ID, Social Security card, proof of address, and a signed declaration). Replace any that are blurry, expired, or don't match the name on your credit file.
3. Check your credit file for duplicate or mismatched records that could have caused the denial; use the 'fix mismatched or duplicate credit files' steps from earlier in this guide.
4. Resubmit the corrected package using a different method if the original channel (online, mail, or phone) failed - mail often provides a paper trail, while online lets you track status instantly.
5. If the reason remains unclear, call Experian's consumer support line, quote the rejection reference, and ask for an item‑by‑item clarification; they can confirm which document or data point still needs adjustment.

After the corrected submission, monitor your account for the usual 5‑ to 7‑day processing window before moving on to confirm lenders display your new name.

Verify every lender and account now reflects your new name. If any still show the old spelling, correct them right away.

• Log into each online banking or credit‑card portal, open the personal‑information page, and confirm the displayed name matches the one Experian shows.
• Call the lender's customer service, request a name correction, and ask them to notify Experian of the update.
• Ask the lender for a written confirmation (email or letter) that your new name is on file.
• Update any recurring‑payment or utility accounts that pull credit, because they may still reference the old name.
• Wait 30 - 45 days for the change to propagate, then pull a fresh Experian credit report to double‑check.
• Keep a copy of your legal name‑change document handy in case a lender asks for proof.

Check your Experian credit reports within 30 days of the name change to spot fraud or errors.

• Request your free annual report at Experian's credit‑report portal.
• Compare personal details (name, Social Security number, address) to the documents you submitted earlier.
• Flag any unfamiliar accounts, misspelled names, or duplicate files; submit a dispute through Experian's online portal.
• Activate Experian's fraud‑alert service if you notice suspicious activity; the alert lasts 90 days and forces lenders to verify identity before opening new credit.
• Enroll in Experian's free credit‑monitoring notifications to receive daily email or text alerts about hard inquiries and balance changes.

Staying on top of these checks keeps your updated name accurate and prevents identity theft from going unnoticed.