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| Learn how to verify your BVN name and date of birth through your bank, correct inaccurate details, and understand the latest BVN phone number rule. |
How to Check Your BVN Name and Date of Birth (Plus the New One-Time Phone Rule)
You can check the name and date of birth registered on your BVN through your bank's mobile app, internet banking portal, or by visiting a branch — there's no USSD code that displays this specific information, only your bare BVN number. Beyond checking these details, there's a newer, more urgent BVN rule worth knowing: since May 1, 2026, the Central Bank of Nigeria allows the phone number linked to your BVN to be changed only once, for life.
How to Check Your BVN Name and Date of Birth
Method 1: Through Your Bank's Mobile App (Most Reliable)
1. Open your bank's mobile app and log in
2. Go to Profile or Account Settings
3. Look for a BVN Details or KYC Information section
4. Your registered name and date of birth display there if the bank enables full profile viewing
Method 2: Internet Banking Portal
1. Log into your bank's internet banking platform on a browser
2. Navigate to your profile or personal details section
3. Your BVN-linked name and date of birth should display alongside your other KYC information
Method 3: Visit Your Bank Branch
If your app or online banking doesn't show full BVN details, visit any branch with a valid ID. Staff can pull your full BVN record, including name and date of birth, directly from the system.
Method 4: Contact Your Bank's Support
Email or call your bank's customer support line and request confirmation of your BVN-linked name and date of birth. You'll need to verify your identity first.
What USSD can and can't do: The universal BVN code (`*565*0#`) only displays your 11-digit BVN number — it does not show your name or date of birth. If you've seen a claim that a different USSD code (like `*89#`) displays this information, we couldn't independently verify that this works, and one investigation into Nigerian BVN services found no evidence of such a code — treat it with caution and use the bank-based methods above instead.
Why Your BVN Name and Date of Birth Matter
Your BVN-linked name and date of birth must match your records across:
- - Your National Identification Number (NIN)
- - Your voter's card
- - Your international passport
- - Your driver's license
A mismatch between these can cause failed verifications, blocked transactions, or loan application rejections.
What If Your BVN Name or Date of Birth Is Wrong?
1. Gather supporting documents proving the correct information (birth certificate for date of birth; marriage certificate, affidavit, or valid ID for name corrections)
2. Visit your bank in person — this correction cannot be done online or via app
3. Submit the required regulatory form along with your documents
4. Name corrections due to marriage, divorce, or religious conversion require the bank to await clearance from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) before the change takes effect
5. Date of birth corrections are typically allowed only once
Important: The New CBN Rule on BVN Phone Numbers (Since May 2026)
This is separate from your name and date of birth, but just as important if you're already checking your BVN details: as of May 1, 2026, the Central Bank of Nigeria restricts changes to the phone number linked to your BVN to once in a lifetime**, under a circular issued March 13, 2026.
Why this matters:
- - Your BVN phone number is used for OTPs, transaction alerts, and account recovery
- - It's a common target for SIM-swap and identity fraud
- - If the number currently linked to your BVN is one you no longer control, you now have far less flexibility to fix it than before
What to do:
1. Check which phone number is currently linked to your BVN through your bank's app or by visiting a branch
2. If it's a number you've lost access to, borrowed from someone else, or rarely use, update it as soon as possible with your bank
3. Choose a number you intend to keep permanently, since further changes beyond the one-time update require exceptional regulatory approval with extensive documentation
As of March 2026, over 68 million Nigerians were enrolled in the BVN system, meaning this rule affects a large share of the country's banked population.
Keep Your BVN Information Secure
Your BVN is sensitive personal data. Never share your BVN, the name/DOB linked to it, or your linked phone number with anyone contacting you unsolicited by phone, WhatsApp, or SMS claiming to be from your bank or the CBN. Legitimate institutions do not request this information through unsolicited calls or messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my BVN name and date of birth online without visiting the bank?
Yes, through your bank's mobile app or internet banking platform, if the bank enables full profile viewing. Otherwise, a branch visit is needed.
Is there a USSD code to check my BVN name and date of birth?
No confirmed one — `*565*0#` only shows your BVN number, not your name or date of birth.
How many times can I update the phone number linked to my BVN?
As of May 1, 2026, only once in a lifetime, under a new CBN directive.
What happens if I lose access to the phone number linked to my BVN after using my one update?
The CBN has not clarified a standard process for this situation — further changes would require exceptional regulatory approval. This makes choosing a permanent number for your one allowed update especially important.
Can I correct my date of birth on my BVN more than once?
Generally, no — date of birth corrections are typically permitted only once, with supporting documentation.
- USSD Code for BVN: How to Check Your Bank Verification Number
Conclusion
Checking your BVN-linked name and date of birth requires going through your bank directly, since no USSD code reliably displays this information. More urgently, if you haven't checked which phone number is currently tied to your BVN, do it now — the CBN's new one-time-change rule means getting this wrong could leave you with far fewer options to fix it later.
- Central Bank of Nigeria: — for official circulars on BVN policy, including the phone number update rule
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