Updating Your Legal Identity
Whether you have recently married, divorced, or formally changed your identity, updating your legal name with your financial institution is crucial for maintaining account security and ensuring seamless daily transactions. Bankwest requires customers to complete a formal verification process to update their legal name, helping protect accounts from identity fraud and unauthorized changes.
Because a legal name change is a sensitive update, it typically requires identity verification and supporting documentation, rather than a simple online form submission. You must submit official documentation and certified evidence. Below is a comprehensive guide to navigating Bankwest's name change process, securing the correct forms, and troubleshooting any digital access issues you might face while managing your accounts during this transition.
Name Change Requirements Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Required Form | Change of Name Statement Form (PDF) |
| Acceptable Evidence | Marriage certificate, revised birth certificate, or BDM name change certificate |
| Document Rules | Must be certified copies of original documents (certification requirements may vary) |
| Submission Method | Mail to: Bankwest, GPO Box E237, Perth WA 6841 |
Step-by-Step: Name Change Process
If you’re changing your full legal name to a new name, you’ll need to follow these steps.
1. Complete and sign a Change of Name Statement Form
2. Certify change of name evidence
Prepare original certified copies (no older than 3 months) of your change of name evidence, such as:
- Marriage certificate
- Revised birth certificate
- Change of name certificate.
These documents must be issued by an Australian State or Territory Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) registry or by a foreign government body equivalent.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on getting your documents certified.
3. Post documents to us
Post the completed Change of Name Statement Form, together with both the certified copies of your ID and change of name evidence to:
Bankwest
GPO Box E237
Perth WA 6841
Troubleshooting Online Account Access
While your physical documents are in transit and being processed, you may need to manage your accounts digitally. Here is how to handle common online banking hurdles during this time:
- MFA Delays: If your SMS authentication code fails to arrive when logging in to check your secure messages, verify your mobile network reception. Remember, changing your legal name does not automatically update your registered mobile number. You can also use In-App Authentication to bypass SMS delays.
- Browser Cache Errors: If the Bankwest support page fails to load when you attempt to download the PDF form, clear your browser's cache and cookies. Opening a Private Browsing or Incognito window often resolves these document download glitches instantly.
- Locked Digital ID: If you enter the wrong password too many times while trying to access your accounts, your profile will temporarily lock. Click the Forgotten Password link on the login screen to reset your credentials using your PAN and registered mobile number.
Pro-Tip: When getting your identity documents certified for Bankwest, ask the authorized certifier (like a Justice of the Peace) to stamp and sign at least five extra copies. You will need these certified copies to update your name with the ATO, Medicare, your superannuation fund, and your employer, saving you multiple trips to the certifier!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for Bankwest to update my name?
Once Bankwest receives your mailed documents, it typically takes a few business days for the back-office team to verify the certified copies and update their central system. You will see your new legal name reflected in your online banking profile once the process is finalized.
Do I need to order a new debit or credit card?
Yes. After your name change is successfully processed on your banking profile, you should log into your Bankwest App or Online Banking and request a replacement card. This ensures the physical plastic matches your new legal identity for in-person purchases.
Can I take my name change documents into a branch?
Bankwest is transitioning to a highly digital and remote-support model, with its East Coast branch network closed and WA branches rebranding to CommBank. Mailing your certified documents to the central Perth GPO Box is the standard, required method for processing a name change.
