Name changes
ARTICLE TAKEAWAYS
- Learn the requirements to change an account owner’s or beneficiary’s name
Requirements vary when changing a name on an account, depending on whose name is changing and the account type. Review the required forms and supporting documentation your client will need to submit in order to update their account.
Account owner, trustee or custodian
Complete the Name Change Request with the signatures of both the former and new names. You must include one of the following:
- A legal name document (e.g., divorce decree, marriage certificate or legal name change certificate). A copy is acceptable.
- A signature validation stamp. The original request must be sent by mail.
- If your client needs to change their name on an ABLEAmerica® account, contact us for requirements.
Beneficiary
Transfer on death (TOD) beneficiary
Complete the Transfer on Death (TOD) Registration Request with the signatures of all account owners. The beneficiaries named on this form will replace any existing beneficiary information listed on the account. Your client should specify all primary and contingent beneficiaries on this form, even if they are changing only one beneficiary.
Alternatively, clients can make TOD beneficiary changes online by logging in to their account on the investor website. After logging in to their account, they will click View under Beneficiary Information and then click Update.
IRA beneficiary
Complete the IRA Beneficiary Change form. The beneficiaries named on this form will replace any existing beneficiary information listed on the account. Your client should specify all primary and contingent beneficiaries on this form, even if they are changing only one beneficiary.
Alternatively, clients with traditional, Roth, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs can make beneficiary changes online by logging in to their account on the investor website. After logging in to their account, they will click View under Beneficiary Information and then click Update.
CollegeAmerica® or UGMA/UTMA beneficiary
Submit a letter of instruction that includes:
- The former and new names of the beneficiary or minor
- The owner’s or custodian’s signature
Contact us
Have questions or need additional support?
Contact us 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
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The guidelines and procedures provided in the Account Resource Center may not apply to networked accounts or accounts not directly held by American Funds. The guidelines and procedures provided also apply only to those retirement accounts or Coverdell ESAs invested in American Funds with Capital Bank and Trust Company (CB&T) as custodian. The guidelines and procedures provided in the Account Resource Center do not apply to plans held in our retirement plan solutions — PlanPremier, PlanPremier-TPA or RecordkeeperDirect. Information on the Account Resource Center may change periodically, and previously printed information may not be current. Please refer to capitalgroup.com for the most current information available.
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