Identity & account settings
Verify your identity and update your name
Your name helps people know who they’re trading with. Here’s how to verify your identity, choose a familiar name, and keep your legal name up to date.
Account guide · 4 min read
Your legal name comes from identity verification. Your preferred name can be a familiar version of that name. If your legal name changes, verify your identity again.
One identity, two names
In Account Settings, you’ll see separate fields for Legal Name and Preferred Name.
Michael Example
The name established through identity verification. To change it, you’ll need to re-verify.
Mike Example
A reasonably similar name you prefer to use, such as a common nickname or shortened first name.
These are your personal identity details. They are separate from a business or other Profile you use on Paperstac.
Verify your identity
Paperstac uses Plaid Identity Verification to check your identity. You complete the checks in Plaid’s verification window, then return to Paperstac.
Open Account Settings
Go to Account Settings and expand Legal Name.
Start verification
Select Verify Your identity to open Plaid. Follow the prompts using your current legal details.
Complete Plaid’s checks
Depending on the checks requested, you may need to provide personal details, verify your phone, or use your camera for an identity document or selfie check. Follow the instructions shown in your session.
Check your verified name
After verification succeeds, Paperstac saves your verified legal name and initially sets your preferred name to that name. You can then choose a similar preferred name.
Paperstac Partners requires identity verification before you participate as a vendor or party in the Partners program. Your personal account and verification are shared with Paperstac.
Change your preferred name
Want to use “Mike” instead of “Michael”? You can edit your preferred name without changing your verified legal name.
- Open Account Settings and expand Preferred Name.
- Enter the name you’d like to use.
- Select Save.
Once your identity is verified, your preferred name must remain reasonably similar to your legal name. Common nicknames, initials, and omitted middle names are intended to be accepted. A different surname generally requires updating your verified legal name first.
If the name isn’t accepted, try a closer variation or ask support for help.
Changed your legal name?
If you’ve married or otherwise changed your legal name, update it by completing identity verification again with your new legal details.
- Open Account Settings and expand Legal Name.
- Select re-verify your identity beneath your current verified name.
- Follow Plaid’s prompts with your updated legal details and any requested supporting identification.
- After verification succeeds, check your new legal name. Update your preferred name again if you want to use a similar variation.
Your legal name isn’t a directly editable text field. Changing only your preferred name doesn’t update your verified legal name.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Something doesn’t look right?
If verification won’t complete, your verified name looks incorrect, or a familiar preferred name isn’t accepted, chat with Paperstac support for help with your next step.