This guide is for individuals going through a Persona-powered identity verification flow. While we’ve included helpful tips, the verification was set up by the business, service, or organization that asked you to verify. They use Persona as a tool, and they ultimately decide what’s required and can assist with your specific situation, if you’re having trouble.
Why a name change can cause an issue
Verification can compare the name you enter with the name on your ID. If your legal name changed because of marriage, divorce, or a court order, and your ID has not caught up, the two may not line up.
Whether that matters is up to the business that asked you to verify. Some care a great deal about an exact name match and some barely at all, and there is usually more to a verification than the name, so a change on its own is not a reason to expect a block.
What to do when you verify
If your name changed recently, enter your current legal name and let the business know you have a supporting document, like a marriage certificate or court order. Many verification flows handle a name change when they see the documents, and the business can review it manually if needed.
If verification still will not pass
When the mismatch is too large for the flow, the business you are verifying with can review your case, because the requirement is theirs. Ask them what documents they will accept. See why is my ID being rejected? for common rejection reasons.
Consider updating your ID
If you can, update your ID to your current legal name. That removes the source of the mismatch for every future verification. Until then, keep your name-change document handy, since businesses may ask to see it.