Is it possible to edit the Owner's name on a Square Account?

[TheBeehivewc]

The title of this thread has been edited by a Square Moderator from the original: "Change in name of Owner"

I am and will always be the "owner" of the business.  I am now married and I need it to reflect my married name since all legal documents are in my new last name.  Does anyone have any advice for this?

Thanks!

The Beehive

[Minion · Accepted solution]

Hi @TheBeehivewc 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this unfortunately can't be changed as easily as you would think.  I have no understanding of reasonings why I just know that it can't be done, not even with a transfer of ownership.  I believe the only steps recommended would be to create a new square account. 

Here is a help article (refer to the last two FAQ at the bottom) 

[TheBeehivewc]

Thank you! I was hoping someone had found a loophole or a work around.  So crazy considering I have all of the documents to prove ownership and legal name change.  Square needs to get with it!

[lovejoysteapdx]

This is INSANE! Not to mention incredibly harmful and traumatizing for trans folx and/or people leaving abusive marriages, among many other reasons.

EVERY OTHER SERVICE/BANK/GOVERNMENT AGENCY/ETC. ALLOW YOU TO UPDATE YOUR LEGAL NAME.

Why on Earth is Square being so stubborn about this and not implementing this option??? Please make it make sense!

Is there nobody at Square in any kind of position of authority reading the countless requests for this simple feature going back AT LEAST 4 YEARS from what I can see in the forums so far (likely longer).

I keep seeing a lot of new features and services being promoted and offered. So apparently there are technicians working for Square able to program things and implement things/changes?

This just makes so little sense. I am beyond baffled.

Also, I tried the option of creating a new account with my new last name, then selecting 'Transfer Account Ownership'. But I got an error message that since I use Square Payroll, I have to call to get it done, which makes it sound like it will be a long, arduous, glitchy, process to actually have that done... rather than a simple name change with proof of name change document requirement.

Who can you/we talk to at Square to knock some sense into them to get their priorities in line???

I've noticed lots of people LEAVING Square over this issue. I'm not ready for that time investment of switching yet, as we use Square of EVERYTHING. But it may come to that if they remain so tone deaf to such a simple request.

It's like:

Square: "What features to y'all want most?"
Customers, overwhelmingly: "Feature A, B & C would be a HUGE help, please."
Square... 4 years later: "Hi all! We're excited be launching Feature F, Z & D next month! Let us know how you like it!"

Customers: "Um, hello? Hello? Is this thing on?"

Thanks.

[VividStudio]

It is crazy that we can’t change the last name without setting up a new account. Seems like a very simple fix. 

[_Violet]

Hi @THEBEEHIVEWC and @VIVIDSTUDIO 👋My name is Violet and I am one of the Moderators of the Square Seller Community. I see that one of our Super Sellers, @MINION has kindly given the correct answer to this question but I can certainly provide a little more info.

Unfortunately, you aren’t able to edit the legal name you used to activate your Square account. The activation name is not public-facing if there is any concern there. If you'd like to fix a typo or update your activation name, you'll need to create a new Square account. If you would be interested in creating a new Square Account, we have some helpful tips listed here on how you can transfer your existing account's information to a new account.

I'm sorry this likely isn't the answer you were hoping to hear but please do let me know if I can help you with anything else at all. Thank you for understanding.

[VividStudio]

I can still see the wrong name on my account so I’m not sure why that isn’t good enough to be able to correct it? It’s not my name anymore why would I still have to see it? If I can change my LLC and everything else why can’t I make a simple change to my square account? All I can think of is that a man is in charge of this and doesn’t see the point bc they will never have to deal with it. 

[CougrGroomr]

This is a huge issue, and being incredibly downplayed by this response.  I've been a square account holder for TEN years, which includes a square capital history that I can't just begin from scratch.  I have never seen such archaic business practices by a company who makes millions off their customers' having access to a business capital history--all for something as simple as a name change.  I can't get a business square cash card or a checking account--all additional opportunities to profit--over something that makes ZERO sense, and quite frankly, is HIGHLY discriminatory against married, female business owners. 

Shame on you Square!  Time to look for merchant processing elsewhere!

[Ldirilo]

I'd like to know "why" we can't correct our legally changed name and why no one is giving that upfront. What would be the actual reason to not allowing someone to change their name on the square account that they own? If this can't be explained, then I'd like to know why I shouldn't take my business elsewhere.

[_Violet]

Hi @Ldirilo - Thanks for reaching out to us here on the Square Seller Community. I'm happy to provide you with some additional information.

When a Square account is created, we are required by banking industry regulations and federal law to ask for the Social Security number, date of birth, and the full name of each of our primary account holders. This is why the Account Owner's name is unable to be easily edited, as the listed owner's identity has already been verified and approved to process payments with Square.

If your past legal name is no longer associated with your identity, you can transfer ownership of your Square account from your currently listed name to yourself under your new, preferred name as a workaround. You can find the instructions for this process here in our Support Center. (Please note: If your name has changed within the last year, the identity verification might not be successful.)

I hope this information is helpful but please do let me know if you have any additional questions.

[CougrGroomr]

“This is why the Account Owner's name is unable to be easily edited, as the listed owner's identity has already been verified and approved to process payments with Square.”

I noticed that you used the word “easily” there—not that it CAN’T happen. What I’m assuming is, Square doesn’t care to pay for the manpower required to re-verify an existing account holder’s identity, when a legal name change occurs. By your own admission, federal regulations require that to open an account, an applicant’s identity must be verified, which would include a name/SS# match. By not allowing a customer to make these adjustments to match legal documents, you’re WILLFULLY violating federal banking regulations, in addition to discriminating against female business owners…or, really ANYONE who makes a legal name change.  No other financial institution that I’ve done business with, have ever refused a legal name change to an existing account.

You’re limiting the types of products (ie. Square Checking and capital loans) that a woman can have access to. Having to open a new account, every time a name change occurs, forces an account holder to reestablish their business history, thus reducing/delaying their chances of becoming eligible for a capital loan, or that their Square debit card, should they chose to get one, won’t match their legal ID—yet another obstacle. You also failed to mention that you can’t perform an assignment of account, if there’s a open capital loan repayment plan. Discovered that snag as well. Literally NO aspect of business your company offers functions smoothly without the account holder’s name matching legal records.

It’s very clear, the only way female customers can put a stop to your negligent, discriminatory business practices, is to take legal action. Considering it took over a month, dealing with belligerent, deceptive, contracted employees of Square, and not having access to my funds, to perform something as simple as a change of business PHONE NUMBER, it’s clear the only recourse you’re leaving account holders is to fight back with brute force.  

[rsmg]

This is ridiculous that customer service is unable to perform a simple name change request. Why should I have to create an entire new account and setup all over again all of the items, services, fees, discounts, etc.? I would rather move to another company completely than to do that! This needs to be addressed. If you apply for a square loan chances are it will be denied due to legal name discrepancy! This really needs to be corrected.

[AdoryCrafts]

Agreed!!!!!! I already have an account with all of my info and all of my items. I should NOT have to create another account. Square already has ALL of my info!!!!! They just need to update my freaking last name. It's LEGALLY on my SS card. Them saying they're required to list the name that's associated with the Social Security Number ..... well, guess what? THEY WON'T UPDATE IT to what mine currently is!!! That has to be illegal. 

[Jo-OTFM]

Oh great! S/

Sitting here doing my taxes for the first time since getting married last April (2021) and just realizing that my 1099 from Square is in my maiden name. That I had forgotten to change it, amongst all the other document one must do after legally changing one's name.

There is NO reason for a company to not recognize one's legal name, and if there is no way to transfer one's history, that only points to one conclusion: Square is too lazy to get off its collective gluteals and figure it out. How disrespectful.

I guess I'm looking for a new processing company. I WILL NOT SUPPORT SEXIST and/or LAZY COMPANIES. mic drop

[hairbydani]

I spoke with at least 10 different customer service reps at Square today about this issue and was able to confirm that they are simply not willing to solve this issue. They insisted that opening a new Square account would allow me to utilize my new legal name (which I still think is a ridiculous solution. I shouldn't have to start from scratch for a simple name change, but I digress). I attempted opening a new account, but because my SSN was tied to my maiden name, that's what it pulled up and set as my name on the new account as well. No option to change it. 

As of today, I've decided to no longer do business with Square. I've been with them for 7 years and have been happy with their services until now. But lacking a feature so basic like a name change is absolutely unacceptable, not to mention a risk at tax time when they generate my 1099 form among other records. I can't continue giving my business to a company who so clearly does not have an interest in offering the bare minimum. 

[mace]

Hi! I know other business owners, myself included, would love the ability to change the owner name on the Square account without having to start completely over. It seems like if the correct verification is provided, there's no reason to not accommodate. Name changes happen all the time and it would be lovely to be mentioned correctly on my profile!

[This post was moved by a moderator from the product Q&A event titled "Live Q&A: Learn how to make any item in your Square catalog subscribable!" on July 13, 2023.]

[Tom]

Hi @mace, thank you for bringing this up. There have been a few other sellers who surfaced this issue as well. Have a look at the reply from @_Violet above for more information.

I apologize for any trouble this may cause and thank you for your patience as we work to improve this experience.