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Are you looking to update your name on your Morgan Stanley account? Perhaps you've recently married, divorced, or had a legal name change, and you want to ensure your financial records are accurate and up-to-date. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, providing you with all the necessary information to make this change smoothly.
How to Change Your Name on Your Morgan Stanley Account: A Step-by-Step Guide
Changing your name on a financial account, especially with a reputable institution like Morgan Stanley, requires careful attention to detail and proper documentation. This guide is designed to simplify the process for you.
Step 1: Identify Your Account Type and Contact Method
Before you begin, it's crucial to understand what type of Morgan Stanley account you hold. Morgan Stanley offers various services, including wealth management, investment management (mutual funds), and stock plan services (Morgan Stanley at Work). The specific process and contact points might vary slightly depending on your account type.
- For Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Clients: Your primary point of contact will typically be your Financial Advisor or their dedicated service team. They are equipped to guide you through the process and provide personalized assistance.
- For Morgan Stanley Investment Management (Mutual Fund) Shareholders: If you own Morgan Stanley mutual fund shares directly with the fund, you'll likely need to contact their mutual fund services.
- For Morgan Stanley at Work (Stock Plan) Participants: If your account is through your employer's stock plan, you'll access it via platforms like Shareworks or StockPlanConnect. The process for name changes on these accounts might have specific forms and procedures.
To begin, think about which of these categories best describes your Morgan Stanley relationship. Knowing this will help streamline the rest of the process!
Step 2: Gather Necessary Documentation
Changing your name legally requires official proof. Morgan Stanley, like all financial institutions, is obligated to verify your identity and the legality of your name change. Prepare the following documents, keeping in mind that original documents or certified copies may be required:
Required Core Documents:
- Proof of Name Change: This is the most crucial document. Depending on the reason for your name change, this could be:
- Marriage Certificate: If your name change is due to marriage.
- Divorce Decree: If your name change is due to divorce and reverting to a previous name. The decree must clearly state the name change.
- Court Order for Name Change: If you've legally changed your name through the court system.
- Government-Issued Photo Identification: This is needed to verify your identity and signature. Ensure the ID matches your current, legal name. Acceptable IDs typically include:
- Driver's License
- Passport
- State-issued ID card
- Important Note: Company ID cards, credit cards, or Social Security cards are generally NOT accepted as primary photo identification.
- Your Morgan Stanley Account Number(s): Have this readily available for all accounts where you need to update your name.
Potentially Required Additional Documentation:
- Medallion Signature Guarantee (MSG): For certain types of name changes or transfers (especially those involving a change in beneficial ownership or transferring shares to a new account with a different name), a Medallion Signature Guarantee is often required.
- What is a Medallion Signature Guarantee? It's a special stamp from an eligible financial institution (like a bank, broker, or credit union) that verifies your signature and confirms you are the appropriate person to endorse the transaction and have the legal capacity to sign. A notary stamp/seal is typically NOT accepted in place of an MSG for these specific transactions.
- Where to Obtain an MSG: Most banks and brokerage firms provide this service, often free of charge to their customers. Contact your financial institution to inquire. You will usually need to sign the form in the presence of the individual providing the guarantee.
- Letter of Instruction: For some complex changes, such as removing or adding a joint account owner, or transferring shares, a written letter of instruction signed by all parties involved may be necessary.
- Death Certificate: If the name change is related to the death of an account holder and a transfer of assets.
- Trust Agreement or Corporate Documents: If the account is a trust or corporate account and the name change relates to the entity itself.
Step 3: Contact Morgan Stanley and Obtain the Correct Forms
Once you have your documents in order, it's time to reach out to Morgan Stanley.
For Wealth Management Clients:
- Contact Your Financial Advisor: This is the most direct and efficient route. Your Financial Advisor and their team will provide you with the specific forms required for a name change on your wealth management accounts. They can explain the process, answer your questions, and ensure you submit everything correctly.
- Prepare for the Discussion: Be ready to briefly explain the reason for the name change and have your account numbers handy.
For Mutual Fund Shareholders or Stock Plan Participants:
- Review Morgan Stanley's Website: Check the "Forms & Applications" or "Resources" section of the Morgan Stanley Investment Management website or the relevant stock plan platform (Shareworks/StockPlanConnect). They often have downloadable forms for account changes. Look for forms related to "Change of Account Registration," "Legal Transfer," or "Personal Information Update."
- Contact Customer Service: If you can't find the exact form or are unsure, contact Morgan Stanley's customer service lines.
- Morgan Stanley Investment Management (Mutual Funds): 1-800-869-6397 (9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET, Mon-Fri)
- Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (General Account Support): 1-888-454-3965 (toll-free) or +1-801-902-6997 (outside the U.S.), Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
- Morgan Stanley at Work (Stock Plan accounts): Check the specific contact information on Shareworks or StockPlanConnect, as it may vary.
- Clearly State Your Need: When you call, clearly state that you need to change the name on your account due to a legal name change. They will direct you to the correct form and procedure.
Step 4: Complete and Submit the Forms
Carefully fill out all sections of the form(s) provided by Morgan Stanley.
Key Considerations While Completing Forms:
- Accuracy: Ensure all information is accurate and matches your legal documentation. Double-check spelling and dates.
- Signature: Sign the form exactly as your name appears on your account now (before the change) and also as your new legal name if required by the form. Some forms may require signatures from all registered owners if it's a joint account.
- Signature Verification: Pay close attention to any signature verification requirements. As mentioned, a Medallion Signature Guarantee is frequently required, not just a notary.
- Attach Supporting Documents: Make sure to attach all the necessary supporting documents you gathered in Step 2. Do not send original documents unless explicitly instructed to do so. Certified copies are generally preferred.
- Retain Copies: Always make copies of all completed forms and supporting documents for your records before submitting them.
Submission Methods:
- Mail: Most name change requests, especially those requiring original signatures and/or Medallion Signature Guarantees, need to be submitted via mail. Morgan Stanley typically recommends using registered mail or a courier service that provides a return receipt for your security.
- General Mailing Address for Morgan Stanley Funds: Morgan Stanley Funds P.O. Box 219804 Kansas City, MO 64121-9804
- Overnight Mail for Morgan Stanley Funds: Morgan Stanley Funds 430 West 7th Street Kansas City, MO 64105
- For Wealth Management accounts, your Financial Advisor will provide the specific mailing address.
- For Stock Plan accounts, check the form for the designated mailing or fax address.
- Fax: Some forms or supporting documents may be accepted via fax, but always confirm with Morgan Stanley if faxing is acceptable for your specific name change request, especially if an original signature or Medallion Signature Guarantee is required. Fax numbers may be available on the forms or by contacting customer service.
- Online Upload (Limited): While some basic contact detail updates might be available online, a legal name change usually requires a physical submission due to the nature of signature verification and document authenticity.
Step 5: Follow Up and Confirm
After submitting your forms, it's wise to follow up to ensure your request is being processed.
- Allow Processing Time: Name changes can take several business days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity and volume of requests.
- Contact Your Financial Advisor/Customer Service: If you haven't heard back within a reasonable timeframe, reach out to your Financial Advisor or the appropriate Morgan Stanley customer service line to inquire about the status of your request.
- Verify the Change: Once Morgan Stanley confirms the name change, carefully review your next account statement or log in to your online account to verify that your name has been updated correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions, starting with "How to," along with quick answers:
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How to check the status of my name change request with Morgan Stanley?
- Contact your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor or the relevant customer service line (for mutual funds or stock plans) and provide your account details to inquire about the status.
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How to get a Medallion Signature Guarantee for my Morgan Stanley name change?
- Visit your local bank or brokerage firm. They typically provide this service free of charge to their customers. Be prepared to sign the document in their presence and show valid photo identification.
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How to find the correct form for a name change on my Morgan Stanley account?
- Your Financial Advisor can provide the specific forms. Otherwise, check the "Forms & Applications" section on the Morgan Stanley Investment Management website or your specific stock plan platform, or call their customer service.
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How to change my address on my Morgan Stanley account online?
- Address updates are often available through your online Morgan Stanley account portal or by contacting your Financial Advisor. Check the "Personal Information" or "Contact Details" section online.
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How to update my contact number or email on my Morgan Stanley account?
- Similar to address changes, these updates can usually be done through your online account's "Personal Details" or "Contact Information" section, or by contacting your Financial Advisor/customer service.
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How to add or remove a joint owner from my Morgan Stanley account?
- Adding or removing a joint owner typically requires specific forms (like "Authorization for Change of Account Registration") and often a Medallion Signature Guarantee. Contact your Financial Advisor for guidance and the necessary forms.
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How to transfer shares from my Morgan Stanley account to another account with a different name?
- This usually involves a "Legal Transfer Form" and will almost certainly require a Medallion Signature Guarantee and potentially a letter of instruction. Consult your Financial Advisor for the precise requirements.
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How to handle a name change on my Morgan Stanley account if I'm outside the U.S.?
- The process is largely similar, but ensure all documentation is properly certified and apostilled if required by Morgan Stanley for international submissions. Contact their international support line for specific instructions.
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How to ensure my submitted documents are legible for Morgan Stanley?
- When making copies of identification or other documents, ensure they are clear and readable. If faxing, make a lighter copy to prevent it from transmitting too dark.
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How to avoid delays when changing my name on a Morgan Stanley account?
- The best way to avoid delays is to provide all required documents, forms, and signatures (especially Medallion Signature Guarantees) accurately and completely on your first submission. Follow all instructions carefully, and if in doubt, always contact your Financial Advisor or Morgan Stanley customer service for clarification.
