The Navy Federal name change Form 97CI is a one-page PDF you complete in black ink, attach proof-of-name documents to, and send to Navy Federal by mail, fax, secure online message, or in person at a branch. It handles both full legal name changes and last-name-only changes tied to your membership record.
When You Need Form 97CI for a Name Change
Not every update to your Navy Federal account requires this form. A new phone number, email, or address can be handled through online banking, the mobile app, a phone call, or a branch visit without any paperwork.
A name change is different. Because it involves legal documentation, Navy Federal needs the form plus supporting records that prove both your previous name and your new one. If you’ve recently married, divorced, or received a court-ordered name change, Form 97CI is the path to update your account.
Where to Get the Form
The current version is a free PDF on Navy Federal’s Forms and Brochures page at navyfederal.org/forms.html. Printed copies are also available at any Navy Federal branch; the form’s instructions point to navyfederal.org/branches-atms to find the nearest location.
How to Fill Out the Form
Print clearly in black ink. The form is divided into labeled sections that move from identifying you to specifying what’s changing.
Section A: Your Current Information
Enter your full legal name as it currently appears on your Navy Federal account: first name, middle initial, last name, and suffix if applicable. Below your name, fill in your Access Number (the unique identifier assigned when you joined) and your Social Security Number. These fields let Navy Federal match your request to the right account and confirm your identity.
Section D: Name Change
This is the section that matters for a name change. Check the box for either a full name change or a last-name-only change, write the new name as you want it to appear, and attach the supporting documents described below.
Only complete the other sections (contact information, employment) if those details are changing at the same time. Leave unchanged fields blank.
Section E: Signature and Tax Certification
Sign and date the form. This section includes a tax certification where you confirm, under penalty of perjury, that your SSN or ITIN is correct, that you’re not subject to backup withholding, and that you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien. If you are not a U.S. citizen or green card holder, check the designated box and complete IRS Form W-8BEN separately.
Documents to Attach for a Name Change
A name change cannot be processed without proof. The form specifies exactly what to include, and the requirements differ depending on whether your full name or only your last name is changing.
Full Name Change
Provide one document from each of these three categories:
- A state-issued or government-issued photo ID showing your new name.
- A court document or Social Security card showing your new name.
- A marriage license, divorce decree, or court document showing your previous name.
You need three documents total, one from each group. A single court order can count toward more than one category if it shows both the old and new name.
Last-Name-Only Change
The requirement is lighter: two documents total.
- A marriage license, divorce decree, or court document showing your previous last name.
- A state-issued or government-issued photo ID showing your new last name.
Photocopy supporting documents clearly, and include every page of any multi-page court order or decree. Make sure the name on each document matches what you’ve written on the form exactly. A mismatch between your marriage certificate and the name you entered is one of the easiest ways to trigger a delay.
How to Submit the Form
Four options are listed on the form itself:
- Mail the completed form and photocopies of your supporting documents to Navy Federal Credit Union, PO Box 3002, Merrifield, VA 22116-9887.
- Fax it to 703-206-4600, attention Membership Administration.
- Send it through the online banking Message Center. Sign in, open the Message Center, select “General” under “I have a question about,” choose “Add/Remove Joint Owner” as the reason, type a brief note explaining your change, and attach the completed form and supporting documents. The drop-down label is misleading. Navy Federal uses that category to route membership paperwork generally, not just joint-owner requests.
- Bring the completed form and your original supporting documents to any Navy Federal branch.
One mailing note worth checking before you seal the envelope: the Form 97CI address (PO Box 3002) is not the same as Navy Federal’s general correspondence address (PO Box 3000). Sending it to the wrong box can delay processing.
After You Submit
Navy Federal’s form warns that it may restrict account access or delay loan approvals while it verifies your identity or documentation. This is a standard precaution under federal banking law, which requires financial institutions to verify identifying information for every account holder. A legal name change involves an extra verification step, so a brief hold on certain activity is possible.
Watch your online banking profile or secure messages for a confirmation that the change has taken effect. If a week passes without any update, call Navy Federal at 1-888-842-6328, available around the clock, to confirm the form was received and ask about its status. Keep a copy of the completed form and your supporting documents in case anything needs to be resubmitted.
A Note on Joint Owners
Form 97CI is designed for individual use. If you’re a joint owner and your name has changed, you submit your own 97CI with your own supporting documents. The primary member cannot update a joint owner’s name on their behalf.