Legal Business Name

[neokleoys2005]

Hello there, 

I would like to ask if I don't have a Legal Business name to fill the form what do I do? I am a student and I am here to make some extra bucks. Can I add my full name there instead of a legal entity name?

Thank you,

Giorgos

[lysis10]

If you're in the US then it goes under your personal social security number.

[neokleoys2005]

if not ? sorry that I am asking about these. It might me simple and basic things for you but I have no idea how things work with legal matters. 

[kochubei_valeria]

What form are you referring to then, Giorgos?

[kochubei_valeria · Accepted solution]

Hi Giorgos,

If you are referring to your W-8BEN form, then yes, you can add your legal name as it appears in your passport or any other official document.

[i3creators]

Im non us people, so shall i add my full name for my legal name in my upwork ?

[i3creators]

i had a issue actually i have started with my upwork name with my nick names but while i am trying to add my bank account information it show error due to account name was different after that i have entered my original name as per my bank name but it will take 48 hours to change so still my bank account cannot be added what is the solution for me please support me to resolve this thank you.

[prestonhunter]

The solution is that the name on your Upwork account needs to match the name on your bank account.

The simplest way to achieve this is to change your Upwork name to your real legal name - the name that is on your bank account. You may need to work with Upwork Customer Support in order to accomplish this.

This will also be a helpful endeavor because there is likely to come a time when Upwork does further identity verification, and Upwork will need to see government-issued identitification showing your name, and that name should match your profile name.

But technically, the solution to your current question is to just get these names to match. Changing your Upwork profile name isn't the ONLY way to solve that situation. If you could get the bank to add your Upwork profile name as an authorized name on your bank account, that would solve the problem.

You could even change your name legally to your Upwork profile name. If you changed your name legally, you would have all the documentation necessary to get your Upwork profile name onto your bank account, and you would be able to obtain new government-issued identification with your new name on it.

Also: If your Upwork profile name is CLOSE ENOUGH to your legal name and/or your bank account name, especially if your profile name is a recognized variant of your legal name, then it is possible to work with Upwork Customer Support to get the bank account to work, without changing either name.

[bstojadinovic]

Hi Inits,

Please note that your profile must represent you as an individual and that all the information in your profile including your name needs to be accurate, truthful and verifiable. 

Please check this help article for more information on how to update your profile name.

Thank you!

[7a8f2155]

For the W-9 form when it says Legal Name of Business I can just put my Legal name? I don't have a Legal Name of Business. 

[tinker_bell3]

Hi Melanii,

For the legal name section, please enter your own name. Please check this help article for more information.