Changing Main Acct Name

[Mrscott23]

I have changed my legal name and have tried everything in the app to reflect. However, it shows new correct name everywhere except when scheduling a clients appt it still shows it’s “with” my old last name. There has to be a way to update this, other than closing current account and opening a new one, which is all I have found in threads. Please help! Seems like a big hassle to add clients & all info back in to a whole new account  just to change one little name. I’ve had this acct for years. Thank you! 

[JJ_]

I understand your frustration @azmasterworks

The reason behind this process is that upon activation and by banking requirements, all Square accounts are Social Security linked so in order to be legally compliant we need the current owner to verbally accept this change of ownership before we proceed with any actions. This is an improvement from as recently as last year when the change of ownership wasn't at all possible.

I wish we could make exceptions but we are held accountable for any actions that were never authorized by a verified account owner.

[azmasterworks]

The fatal flaw in this business is the failure to understand the difference between an account held by an individual natural person, that is, a human being, and a legal person, that is, a corporation.  The result of this failure is that by assigning "ownership" of a corporate account to a single natural person, the corporation as a whole is rendered impotent.

Funny, the state Corporation Commission, the IRS, and our bank don't seem to have a problem transferring corporate responsibilities ("ownership") to new officers and directors.

Would you be so kind as to consult your corporate counsel, CFO, or SOX compliance officer to join this thread and let us all know what statute or rule underlies your policy, and how it differs from that of our bank?  I'm sure everyone on this thread would like to know.

[Lapel24]

Hi, I recently incorporated by business from a partnership. Do i need to open a new account or can i simply change the name in Settings?

[ashc]

Hi @Lapel24! Welcome to the Community.

I moved your post to a relevant thread about changing the account holder's name.

@Joe has more details above but to answer your question- yes you would want to make a new account if the account isn't under your name!

[LOWCAdmin]

Hi, where is this "relevant thread" where this is answered?  Is there an answer to how to change the owner name of the account? Or add a second owner? 

[Arie]

Hi @LOWCAdmin,

Thanks for reaching out and welcome to the Seller Community! 

Sorry about the confusion, the best answer for this thread is on the previous page. Changing the name of an account holder is currently a feature request. We understand that this is a pain point at the moment, and are working on bringing this feature to life. When you get a chance, reach out to support, and we'll be able to help you set up a new account and transfer your items, and customer directory across. In the meantime, this thread is where we'll keep you up to date with any developments on this request. 

[Landee]

So if we make a new account we lose all history of sales and inventory correct?

[digitallux]

I've been following this topic since 2016 and the standard answer is always:

"Because each Square account is tied to the account holder's SSN and the SSN isn't something that can updated on an account, we not currently able to transfer account ownership."

Why has this not been fixed?

Four years later and y'all still have not addressed this issue? What if the original account holder died? They obviously cannot go in and shut down the account. In our case, the account holder left the company. The amount of work required to shut down our account, open a new one (and choose an employee who will not leave or die for at least 10 years) is just stupid.

If you have no plans to address this flaw, just say so. That way all of us with incorrect account holders will stop waiting and hoping for a solution. Just know that we are incredibly frustrated with this problem.

[hazeicecream]

Anything is possible, its software! Designed and created by a team of people. So that software can be changed. We have been requesting this for 3 years now. I understand there may be some legal aspects, possible even fraudulent routes to changing it, however with digital signatures and background checks it should not be an issue. 

I very dislike running an account under another persons SSN, even if square had the opportunity to transfer transactions, gift cards balances and numbers, time cards, invoices and all the other amazing benefits we have taken. advantage off then I would move accounts but they don't! They only allow products transfer and if you get in touch they might then move some of your financial history. But thats pot luck! 

Please Square, give us better options to this ever growing issue! Work with us and then we can work with you!

[EcoCarCafe]

Speaking of fraud, not being able to change Account Names actually helps in fraud. Especially when Square's fraud detection team hasn't done a great job. I've sent a link to my post about my experience but the short version is this...

Employee(s) open fake account copying all of our information & steal appointments. Now two accounts in business name but different owner info & bank info but only the real business account has federal/state government TIN/license info. This would have never happened if account owner information is tied to verified business information.

https://www.sellercommunity.com/t5/Deposits-Refunds-Account/Re-Employee-fraud/m-p/239959#M18829

[BWRDC]

Anyone else having problems with name changes?
My ex helped me to get my online platform up, but after we broke up he didn’t want any part of the business. Everything about this business is in my name otherwise, including licensing, products and social media presence.
I understand that given the current global pandemic some services may not be available, but I don’t understand why I am not able to make this simple change. It’s been years since we split, but in all that time this feature hasn’t changed at all.
I don’t want to have to get in touch with my ex to make a name change, nor do I want to have to start building my site up again from scratch. Because of the inability to change the name, I am constantly reminded of him every time I access square.

I’m hoping that by bringing this up in discussion the square team will allow this change to happen.

[ashc]

Hey @BWRDC and welcome to the Community,

I moved your post to an existing thread where another seller had the same question.

@Joe provided some more information above around ability to change your account holder name.

[EliteSparkling]

My last name on my account has one too many "l"s on the end.  How do I update that? 

[Bossladyesq51]

How do I change my name, I got married and my last name is Harrell

[traceeprince]

Me too! 10 years ago and I still can’t change my last name on my account! It is ridiculous!

[Jaysahope]

I was wondering if there was a way to change your name? My legal name is Jaysa Caldwell. But I go by Jaysa-Hope Caldwell. I don’t like that it shows my costumers my name that I do not go by. Please help

[ashc]

Hi @Jaysahope and welcome to the Community.

I moved your post to a thread where this question has been answered already.

Check out the Best Answer above for details. 

In the future, don't hesitate to search your question first here or on the Support Center for your quickest answer too!

[azmasterworks]

This question has not been answered, just put off as being a "feature request" that Square has not acted upon in three years.

[EvolutionDanz]

Hello, My previous partner name was on our square account, but I bought his share now I'm the sole owner. how can i remove his name in the square and put my name?

[ashc]

Hi @EvolutionDanz ,

I moved your post to a relevant thread where this question has already been answered since the Live Q&A thread you commented on was for Online Stores questions only.

In the future, don't hesitate to search your question first here or on the Support Center for your quickest answer.

[PRbyLavendel]

Where is this thread where the question has been answered? Are you speaking of this specific thread and the "answer" by "Joe"? If so, that is not an answer, that was a brush off a couple of years ago with seemingly no resolution.  If our name is changed, why are we not allowed to change our actual name? This is a giant flaw and there is no way that I will upgrade until it is fixed.  I do not like having my clients come to make reservations with me when my deadname is sitting right there. Fix this issue.

If there is another answer somewhere, I cannot find it and would love the link to it so I can change my name to what it should be.