Ready to pass on your Verizon number to a new owner? Whether you're upgrading, simplifying, or just changing who's responsible for the bill, transferring your Verizon number to a new account can seem a bit daunting. But fear not! This comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process, making it as smooth and stress-free as possible. Let's get started!
Step 1: Engage and Prepare – Are You Ready for a Smooth Transfer?
Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let's ensure you're fully prepared. Transferring a Verizon number to a new account, also known as a "Transfer of Service" (ToS), requires cooperation between the current account owner (the "relinquishing party") and the new account owner (the "assuming party").
First, ask yourself these crucial questions:
Are both parties willing and available to cooperate? This is key!
Do you have all the necessary information for both accounts handy? This includes account numbers, PINs, and personal details.
Are there any device payment agreements tied to the line being transferred? This is a common point of confusion, and we'll cover it in detail.
Is the account balance current? Verizon requires both the sending and receiving accounts to be up-to-date on payments.
If you answered "yes" to these, you're off to a great start! If not, don't worry, we'll address these considerations throughout this guide.
Sub-heading: Understanding the "Transfer of Service" (ToS)
A Transfer of Service (ToS) is Verizon's formal process for moving a mobile number from one Verizon account to another. It's different from "porting out" a number, which is when you move your number to a different carrier. With a ToS, your number stays within the Verizon network, just under a new billing responsibility.
Step 2: Fulfilling Eligibility Requirements for Both Parties
Both the relinquishing party and the assuming party must meet specific criteria for a successful transfer. Skipping these steps can lead to delays or even a canceled request.
Sub-heading: Requirements for the Relinquishing Party (Current Account Owner)
Active Account and Line: The line you wish to transfer must be active for at least 30 days for personal accounts, and 5 days for business accounts, before it can be transferred.
Current Account Balance: Your Verizon account balance must be completely current. Any outstanding charges need to be paid off.
Account Owner or Manager Status: Only the Account Owner or an Account Manager of the line being transferred can initiate the transfer request.
Consent: The current Account Owner or Manager must consent to the transfer.
No Pending Orders: Ensure there are no pending orders on your account that could interfere with the transfer.
Device Payment Agreements (DPP): This is where it gets a bit tricky. If the line has an active device payment agreement, you generally have a few options:
Pay off the device in full before transferring the line. This is often the cleanest option.
Keep the device payment agreement on the original account and assign it to another eligible line if you have one.
The assuming party might be able to take over the device payment agreement, but this is subject to their credit approval and other Verizon policies. It's best to discuss this explicitly with Verizon customer service. Be aware that any monthly promotional credits tied to the device will likely stop if the payment agreement is transferred or paid off.
Number Lock: If you have "Number Lock" enabled on the line, you must turn it off before you can transfer the number. This is a security feature to prevent unauthorized transfers.
Sub-heading: Requirements for the Assuming Party (New Account Owner)
Age Requirement: The new Account Owner or Account Manager must be at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama).
Credit Check: The receiving account owner must pass a soft credit check. Don't worry, soft credit checks typically do not impact your credit score.
Security Deposit: Depending on the credit check results, a security deposit may be required before your account can receive a transferred line.
Acceptance Timeframe: The assuming party must complete the transfer within 15 days of receiving the email notification for personal lines, and 30 days for business lines. If not completed within this timeframe, the request will be automatically canceled, and a new one must be submitted.
Eligibility for Device Payment Agreements: If the device payment agreement is being transferred, the assuming party must be eligible to take over those payments.
Current Account Status (if existing): If the line is being added to an existing Verizon Wireless account, that account must also be current on payments.
Plan Selection: All transferred lines may be required to switch to a currently available plan on the new account.
Step 3: Initiating the Transfer of Service
Now that you're well-prepared, it's time to start the transfer. The initiation process primarily falls on the current account owner.
Sub-heading: Initiating via the My Verizon App (Recommended for Personal Accounts)
This is often the quickest and most straightforward method for personal accounts. Ensure your My Verizon app is up-to-date.
Log In: Open the My Verizon app on the Account Owner or Account Manager device. If prompted, enter your password, fingerprint, or Face ID.
Navigate to Account: Tap the "Account" tab located at the bottom of the screen.
Select Mobile Number: From the "Devices" section, tap the mobile number you wish to transfer. (To select a different number, navigate to "Devices" > "Manage all devices," then tap "Manage" below the appropriate phone number).
Find Transfer Option: From the "Device Management" section, tap "Transfer your service."
Start New Transfer: Select "Start a new transfer."
Select Line(s): Select the line(s) to be transferred, then tap "Continue."
Choose Account Type: Select either "I want to transfer line(s) to a personal account" or "I want to transfer line(s) to a business account."
Enter New Account Info: Enter the applicable information for the person assuming liability (First Name, Last Name, Email address), then tap "Continue."
Review Disclosures: Review the Disclosures and Authorizations, then tap "Accept & Acknowledge."
Review and Confirm: From the "Review And Confirm Your Transfer Request" screen, make sure everything is correct, then tap "Continue."
An email with instructions on how to approve and complete the transfer will be sent to both you (the relinquishing party) and the person assuming liability for your wireless number.
Sub-heading: Initiating via the My Verizon Website
If you prefer using a web browser, the process is similar:
Sign In: Sign in to My Verizon as an Account Owner or Account Manager.
Navigate to Transfer Service: Go to "Account" > "My devices" > "Transfer your service."
Review and Start: Review Eligibility, Plans, etc., then select "Start a new transfer."
Select Line(s): Check the box next to the line(s) you want to transfer, then select "Continue."
Choose Account Type: Select either "I want to transfer line(s) to a personal account" or "I want to transfer line(s) to a business account."
Enter New Account Info: Enter the required information (e.g., First Name, Last Name, Email address for a personal account, or Business Name for a business account), then select "Continue."
Accept Disclosures: Review and accept the applicable disclosures, then select "Accept & Acknowledge."
Review and Confirm: Review the transfer request details, then select "Continue."
Similar to the app, an email will be sent to the new Account Owner with instructions.
Sub-heading: Initiating for Business Accounts
For business accounts, the process is generally initiated by the party relinquishing the line. While the My Verizon app/website might be an option, complex business transfers may benefit from direct contact with Verizon Business support.
Step 4: The Assuming Party Accepts the Transfer
This is the critical next step. The transfer won't be complete until the assuming party accepts responsibility for the line.
Sub-heading: Accepting the Transfer via Email Link
The assuming party will receive an email from Verizon titled something like "You have a line transfer request to complete."
Open the Email: Locate and open this email.
Click "Transfer Now": Select the "Transfer now" link within the email.
Verify Request: From the "Start or resume your transfer request" screen, verify that the auto-populated Request number matches the details from the email.
Choose Account Option: From the "Let's complete your transfer" screen, the assuming party will have two options:
Set up a new Verizon mobile account: Select "Set up a new account." This option will lead them through a process of providing credit information (consumer or business), creating an account PIN, and selecting a plan.
Add the line(s) to an existing Verizon mobile account: Select "Sign in" and follow the onscreen prompts to sign in as the receiving Account Owner or Account Manager.
Review and Accept: From the "Review and accept service transfer" screen, review the request details, then select "Accept."
Accept Disclosures: Review the "Disclosures and authorizations," then select "Accept & Acknowledge."
Select Plan (if applicable): If setting up a new account or needing to change plans, the assuming party will select a plan. They can often choose to "Keep the plan" if it's compatible, or "Pick a new plan."
Review Costs and Agree: Review the estimated monthly cost details, then select "View terms and conditions." Review and accept the "Verizon Wireless Customer Agreement" and "Taxes, Surcharges and Fees" documents, then select "Accept & Complete transfer."
The transfer process is now in motion! Verizon will send a confirmation once it's fully complete.
Step 5: Post-Transfer Considerations
Once the transfer is complete, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Service Continuity: Typically, there's minimal to no service interruption during a Transfer of Service.
Billing Cycle: The relinquishing party will be responsible for charges up to the effective date of the transfer. The assuming party will be responsible for all billed charges from that point forward.
Device Payment Agreements: If a Device Payment Agreement was transferred, the new account owner is now responsible for those payments. If it was paid off or assigned to another line on the original account, ensure those arrangements are confirmed.
Voicemail: In most cases, voicemail messages are not transferred with the number. It's a good idea for the relinquishing party to save any important voicemails before the transfer.
Saved Information: Personal information, saved contacts, photos, and apps are not part of the number transfer. These are tied to the device or cloud backups.
Old Account Adjustments: The relinquishing party's account might need adjustments if the transferred line was part of a multi-line plan. Ensure your remaining lines are on a suitable plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions to further assist you with your Verizon number transfer:
How to check the status of my Verizon number transfer?
You can typically check the status of your Transfer of Service request by logging into your My Verizon account (either the app or website) and navigating to the "Account" or "Transfer Service" section. Both the relinquishing and assuming parties should be able to see the request's progress.
How to get a Number Transfer PIN from Verizon?
A Number Transfer PIN is typically not required for an internal Verizon Transfer of Service (ToS) between two Verizon accounts. This PIN is primarily used when "porting out" a number to a different carrier. For an internal transfer, the process described above via the My Verizon app or website is generally sufficient.
How to transfer a prepaid Verizon number to a postpaid account?
Transferring a prepaid Verizon number directly to a postpaid account is not straightforward. Prepaid and postpaid accounts are separate within Verizon's system. You would typically need to first convert the prepaid line to a postpaid line under your name (creating a temporary second postpaid account), and then, after 30 days (for personal lines), you can initiate a Transfer of Service to move that newly converted postpaid line to your existing postpaid account. It's best to contact Verizon Customer Service (800-922-0204) for specific guidance on this.
How to transfer a Verizon number with an existing contract or device payment plan?
If the number has a traditional contract, an Early Termination Fee (ETF) may apply if the contract term hasn't been completed. For Device Payment Agreements (DPP), you generally have three options: pay off the remaining balance in full, move the DPP to another eligible line on the original account, or the new account owner may assume the DPP (subject to credit check and approval).
How to cancel a pending Verizon number transfer request?
You can usually cancel a pending transfer request by logging into your My Verizon account (app or website), navigating to the "Transfer your service" section, and looking for an option to "Cancel request." Remember, requests are automatically canceled if not completed within 15 days (personal) or 30 days (business).
How to handle voicemails when transferring a Verizon number?
Voicemails typically do not transfer with the number. If you have important voicemails, the relinquishing party should save them (e.g., by using a voicemail saving app or recording them with another device) before the transfer is completed.
How to ensure my device works after the transfer?
Since the number is staying on the Verizon network, your device should continue to work seamlessly. If you experience any issues, try power cycling your device (turn it off, wait 5 minutes, then turn it back on) after the transfer is confirmed complete.
How to transfer a Verizon number if the current account owner is deceased?
Verizon has a specific process for managing accounts when a loved one passes away. This usually involves providing a death certificate and potentially other legal documents. It's best to contact Verizon Customer Service at 800-922-0204 for assistance in these sensitive situations, as consent rules may differ.
How to transfer a Verizon number in cases of domestic violence?
Verizon has specific support for individuals experiencing domestic violence. If you need to transfer a mobile line due to intimate partner violence or abuse, immediately contact Verizon Customer Service at 800-922-0204. They can provide specialized assistance and waive certain requirements.
How to change the plan on a transferred Verizon line?
Once the line has been successfully transferred to the new account, the new account owner can change the plan associated with that line at any time through their My Verizon app or website, just like any other line on their account. Note that during the transfer acceptance process, the assuming party may be prompted to select a new eligible plan.