I go by my middle name, Elizabeth. I will be going to college in January and need to open a checking account. Can I use my middle name on my account/checks or will I be forced to go by my first name?
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Any bank that opens an account for you will have to verify your identity and is likely to ask for a government-issued ID, often a driver's license, with a photo as part of that verification. Many banks (not all) will require that you open the account in the name shown on that ID document. Others may allow you to use your middle name, if the discrepancy between the official ID and your name can be reconciled, so that the bank is assured it knows your true identity.
The only way to find out about a given bank's policy on this question is to ask a bank representative. One additional thought. It's not uncommon for merchants to ask for a photo ID when accepting a personal check for payments. A discrepancy between the name on your checks, the name that appears in your signature and the name on your ID may confuse some merchants and cause them to refuse your checks.
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Any bank that opens an account for you will have to verify your identity and is likely to ask for a government-issued ID, often a driver's license, with a photo as part of that verification. Many banks (not all) will require that you open the account in the name shown on that ID document. Others may allow you to use your middle name, if the discrepancy between the official ID and your name can be reconciled, so that the bank is assured it knows your true identity.
The only way to find out about a given bank's policy on this question is to ask a bank representative. One additional thought. It's not uncommon for merchants to ask for a photo ID when accepting a personal check for payments. A discrepancy between the name on your checks, the name that appears in your signature and the name on your ID may confuse some merchants and cause them to refuse your checks.
