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#2069323 - 03/15/16 06:46 PM Legal Name on ID vs Signature Card Name
Calmeida12 Offline
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 249
Is there a FL law or rule that states that the person's name shown on their ID is the name that should be listed in their bank account documents. For example: Driver's License shows John Michael Smith. Banker opens account as either John Smith or John M Smith. Shouldn't John Michael Smith be the name used in
all bank documents? Thank you.

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#2069437 - 03/15/16 10:36 PM Re: Legal Name on ID vs Signature Card Name Calmeida12
Elwood P. Dowd Offline
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Elwood P. Dowd
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 21,939
Next to Harvey
Florida law? Definitely not.

The UCC, including Florida's version, says a customer's signature is whatever he wants it to be, so I don't think there are going to be any laws telling the customer what his name has to be.

Your bank can reasonably have a policy that it will only open an account in the name for which the individual has identification. Regardless, if the customer's Florida drivers license says he is Nathan Bedford Forrest he should be able to open an account:

Nathan Bedford Forrest, or
Nathan "Wizard" Forrest, or
Nathan Forrest, or
N.B. Forrest, or
N. Bedford Forrest

No nicknames or tribal names unless they are reflected in the ID or the account title also reflects the name on the ID. (Keep in mind, a customer can order personalized checks online that say anything he or she wants them to say.)

The only place where the concept of a "legal name" actually has meaning in on real estate transfers. There, it's about consistency and satisfying the lawyer, not a law or regulation.
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