Non - CA (Name Verification)

• The name on the Identity Document (ID) should support the name on the application.
• These rules should be followed for ALL STATES except California. 
• National Verifier, Texas LIDA, etc. may have stricter rules – this general name guide does not guarantee approval. Follow the “Document Guidelines (California)” for California applicants.

Reminder: Supporting documents used for name change should match at least two of the following information (Address, SSN (last 4 digits), DOB) to get approved.

First Name

• If the first name is listed as FNU (First Name Unknown), it must match the last name on the ID. Two supporting documents are required (e.g., an EBT card and supplemental proof)

• NO special characters accepted (only spaces and only between words).
• For APOSTROPHES a space or omitting the apostrophe and combining the sections is acceptable. It is recommended to remove the apostrophe, but either way is acceptable. Example, for O’MALLEY we would accept OMALLEY or O MALLEY.
• For HYPENS a space or omitting the hyphen and combining the sections is acceptable. It is recommended to add a space for a hyphen, but either way is acceptable. Example, for ZETA-JONES we would accept ZETA JONES or ZETAJONES. 

Applications should list the full version of the name that is cut off as supported by the customer’s document, but we will accept the full version or cut off version as long as it is included in the Photo ID, Benefit Card or Supplemental document.

Example, Customer’s name on the supporting document is GONZALE, but the name on the ID is GONZALEZ, use GONZALEZ. We would also accept Gonzale.

Additional Examples:

• ID: Document: ANDERSO → Supplemental Document: ANDERSON → ANDERSON or ANDERSO is acceptable.

• ID: THOMPSON → Supplemental Document: THOMPSO → THOMPSO or THOMPSON is acceptable.

• ID: VILLASENOR → Supplemental Document: VILLASENO → VILLASENOR or VILLASENO is acceptable.

• There is NO LIMIT to how many letters could be missing on a cut off name.
  
• As long as you can verify it with the Supplemental Document and the first name matches. We are good to accept it.
• Also keep in mind the first name can match as a partial, shortened, diminutive name, or any other acceptable version. 

• Use all first names on the ID in order (with no additions).
• All names must be supported by the ID.
• The first name on the Application must be in the first name field.
• If they have multiple first names, they can enter any first name in the first name field if it is supported by their Photo ID, Benefit Card or a Supplemental document.
• First names can also be used in the middle or last name field if they are supported by the Photo ID, Benefit Card or a Supplemental document.
• If a middle name is entered in the middle name field of the ID, it cannot be the first name on the first name line. The first first name cannot be entered as a last name.

• ID: FN: JIMMY JOHN LN: JOHNSON → JIMMY or JIMMY JOHN is acceptable as the first name.

• ID: FN: MA* GRACE LN: WATSON → Supporting Document: GRACE → MA GRACE, GRACE or MARIA GRACE is acceptable as the first name.

• ID: FN: JOSE ANTONIO LN: PETERSON Supporting Document: ANTONIO PETERSON → JOSE or ANTONIO is acceptable as the first name.

• ID: FN: ANN MARIE → ANN or MARIE is acceptable as the first name. 

• This is an optional field. It does not need to be included. If it is included, it must be in the Middle Name field ONLY.

• Middle names should not be included as the only First Name. Middle names in the First Name field can be entered as a Middle Name or Last Name. For an ID with FN: Juan MN Manuel LN: Marquez. Juan should be in the first name field, Manuel should be in the middle name field and Marquez should be in the last name field. An initial can also be used as a middle name. An initial on a document could be an initial, complete name  or a reasonable match if it is supported by an ID document and it is entered in the Middle Name field.
  
• If both the application and the ID include a middle name, they must match. Any mismatch is not acceptable.
  • ID: Ashley J. Smith 
    APPLICATION: Ashley J. Smith (Approved)

        • ID: Ashley J. Smith 

• If a middle name is added or missing from either the application or the ID, the application can be approved.

• ID: FN: ROBERT JOHN LN: SMITH → JOHN or J is acceptable as a middle name or no middle name.

• ID: FN: ANNA MN: LEE LN: PARKER → Middle Name: LEE or L is acceptable in the middle name field.

• ID: FN: DAVID MICHAEL LN: CLARK → Middle Name: M or MICHAEL is acceptable in the middle name field.

• ID: FN: JUDY JANE LN: GOMEZ → Middle Name: JANE, J or no middle name is acceptable in the middle name field. 

• ID: FN: JUAN MN: MANUEL LN: MARQUEZ→ Middle Name: MANUEL or MANUE is acceptable in the middle name field.

• ID: FN: JUAN MN: MANUEL CRUZ LN: MARQUEZ→ Middle Name: MANUEL or CRUZ is acceptable in the middle name field.

• ID: FN: CAMERON MN: D LN: POLLARD→ Middle Name: D or DWIGHT is acceptable in the middle name field as long as the starting letters are the same.

• ID: FN: Juan MN: Manuel LN: Marquez

• ID: FN: Juan MN: M LN: Marquez

      APPLICATION: FN: Juan MN: P LN: Marquez

    • SUPPLEMENTAL PROOF: FN: SHARON MN: K LN: HILLARD

    • APPLICATION: FN: SHARON MN: KAY RUBY LN: HILLARD

Same initial, but Misspelled

• ID: FN: Monica MN: Filomena LN: Marquez

• APPLICATION: FN: Monica MN: Filmena LN: Marque

• Optional field – does not need to be included. Best practice is to omit it entirely.
• If using, suffix should be in the Suffix field ONLY– DO NOT INCLUDE in the FIRST, MIDDLE or LAST name field.
• Non-abbreviated suffixes, such as "Junior" and "Senior" may be considered either part of the First or the Middle name depending on their position in the full name. If non abbreviated suffix is on the suffix field.

Important note: When checking the BO Tool, reject If a suffix is included in the name field (first or last name). If not included we will approve it and assume that suffixes will reflect in their proper field on the CSR.

Example:

ROBERT GRIFFIN 3rd should be entered as “III” (three uppercase “i”s). Senior should be entered as Sr or Sr. Junior should be entered as Jr or Jr. Suffixes are acceptable with or without a period, but it is recommended not to add the period.  

JUNIOR HUGO SANCHEZ - FN: JUNIOR LN: SANCHEZ - accepted.

HUGO JUNIOR SANCHEZ - FN: HUGO MN: JUNIOR LN: SANCHEZ - accepted.

ID: John Smith, Jr vs APPLICATION: John Smith

is acceptable or vice versa.

• Use all last names on the ID in the order listed (with no additions).
• All names must be supported by the ID (can be from Last Name field or First Name field).
• Any last name in the last name field supported by a Photo ID, Benefit Card or a Supplemental document can be included in the last name field of the application.
• Last names can be from the Last Name field or First Name field, but not the first first name or a name from the middle name field.
• Benefit Cards or documents can be used to support the name on the application if there are typos or omissions on the ID.
• Any last name in the last name field supported by a photo ID, Benefit Card or Supplemental document can be included in the last name field of the application in any order.

For example, if an ID says ANA MARIA GONZALEZ RAMIREZ and the Benefit Card says ANA GONZALEZ, it is acceptable.

Additional Examples:

• ID: FN: MARIA ELENA LN: RIVERA LOPEZ → Last Name: RIVERA, LOPEZ, or RIVERA LOPEZ are all acceptable in the last name field if supported by the Photo ID, Benefit Card or Supplemental document.

• ID: FN: JUAN CARLOS LN: HERNANDEZ RAMOS → Last Name: HERNANDEZ, RAMOS, or HERNANDEZ RAMOS are acceptable if supported by the Photo ID, Benefit Card or Supplemental document.

• ID: FN: ANA MN SOFIA LN: MARTINEZ GARCIA → Last Name: MARTINEZ, GARCIA, or MARTINEZ GARCIA are acceptable. SOFIA or S is acceptable as a middle name.

• ID: FN: JAMAIST LN: ALEJANDRO GONZALES - Last Name: ALEJANDRO GONZALES or GONZALES ALEJANDRO are acceptable as long as it is supported by photo ID.

• IDENTITY DOCUMENT (ID) should support the names on the application (don’t worry about spacing). 
• Names should never be out of order.

Example: Benefit document name is CATHERINE ZETAJONES, ID name is FN: CATHERINE ZETA, LN: JONES – would be acceptable. ZETAJONES (as listed on the benefit card) is recommended.

For example, the ID document name is FN: RENEE LN: SMITHJONES – SMITH JONES is acceptable. SMITHJONES is recommended.

• Applicants with one-letter names will need to apply via a paper application. Only applications with one letter and an an apostrophe (') or a grave accent ( ` ) are accented.

• One letter is Not Accepted as a FIRST or LAST name. 

• Only acceptable if the shortened name is what’s listed on the IDENTITY DOCUMENT (ID).

Examples: Bob for Robert, Ma for Maria, Mo for Mohammad, etc.

Here are some examples of shortened or diminutive names in the requested format:

• ID: FN: ROBERT → FN: ROB, BOB is acceptable if supported by a supplemental document.

• ID: FN: WILLIAM → FN: WILL, BILL, LIAM is acceptable if supported by a supplemental document.

• ID: FN: KATHERINE → FN: KATE, KATY, KATHY is acceptable if supported by a supplemental document.

• ID: FN: PATRICIA → FN: PAT, PATTY, TRICIA is acceptable if supported by a supplemental document.

• ID: FN: THEODORE → FN: THEO, TED, TEDDY is acceptable if supported by a supplemental document.

• Must be current or expired within the past 365 days for Identity/Address Verification.
• Can be cracked or include minor damage as long as the relevant information (name, address, dates) can still be read clearly and applicant can still be verified against the photo.
• If the state database requires additional verification (TPIV override), the ID/Driver’s License must be current and undamaged.

Proof of Address:

• Refer to the National Verifier Document Guide for a list of acceptable documents.
• Address entered in the application must match the proof of address document.