How to correct BVN date of birth in Nigeria

 How to correct BVN date of birth – You probably have been told that you cannot link your BVN to your account until your date of birth is corrected.

Before we dive deep into the BVN date of birth, let’s get to make an optical appraisal of BVN, and how it came into existence in the Nigerian banking industry at large.

What is BVN?

BVN means “Bank Verification Number,” a scheme introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria to protect customers’ banking transactions in Nigeria.

The need for BVN was occasioned by the fact that CBN looks to strengthen and fortify the safety of funds in customers’ accounts.

BVN gives each customer a unique identity across financial institutions.

The CBN through the Bankers’ Committee in collaboration with all Nigerian banks in February 2014 launched the BVN, it’s made up of 11-digit numbers, with each customer profiled with unique numbers.

Why do you need to correct the date of birth on BVN?

The instance of a need for correction tells about an existing error, in this case, such an error needs to be put right to allow you unrestricted access to your bank account at any point.

 You will need a correction of date of birth if and only the date of birth on your BVN is different from that on your bank account opening package.

This means that the date of birth on your BVN is different from the date of birth you submitted in your bank account opening form/documentation.

Illustration:

If Julieth Mbakwe is a customer with Bank ABC, while opening her bank account she supplied a date of birth 20/10/1990, this was assumed to be pre-2014 when BVN was not effective yet.

Julieth Mbakwe decided to open a bank account with bank DEF in 20223 with the date of birth 20/09/1991 in her BVN, while her ID card contains 20/10/1990.

The date of birth on her BVN should match exactly with the date of birth on her ID card.

Finally, if she wants to link her bank account with bank ABC since that account was profiled pre-2014, it’s expected that the date of birth on both details should agree, otherwise such BVN cannot be linked with her account, hope that’s clear enough. 

How to correct BVN date of birth

Now that the bank has refused to link your BVN to your account, you will need to commence the process of DOB correction.

NB: You are about to learn a general concept that works on solving this issue, however, I usually suggest you seek additional advice from the bank’s customer service officer, preferably where you registered for the BVN.

The reason is that most times they have additional procedures in the branch that you are required to follow and get done properly.

Step one: You will need to visit a court of competent jurisdiction with your real date of birth.

Step two: Request an affidavit for a change of date of birth

Step three: You’ll be issued an affidavit for a change of date of birth bearing your preferred DOB.

Step four: Return the affidavit to the bank,

Step five: You will be required to complete a BVN change of date of birth form, and duly signed as an express consent to the bank to act.

Your DOB correction will be carried out on your details, BVN, and account as the case applies.

Such changes are expected to reflect within 24-48 hours of the correction at max.

NOTE: You will need to visit the bank where your BVN was registered if you are looking to correct the DOB on your BVN, please.

Can I change my date of birth on my BVN number?

The answer is “YES,” you can change or correct your date of birth where they are found to be irregular with the date of birth on your bank account opening package.

However, this is allowed once, and you are required to provide supporting documents evidencing the correct date of birth, see the steps above for clarity.

Can I edit my BVN details online?

The answer is a straight “No.” You cannot update your BVN details online by yourself since this is a sensitive document that requires a high level of priority and security.

An update of customer information shall be done at the bank branch where such a BVN was profiled physically.

How can I recover my BVN date of birth?

The most recommended way to check your BVN date of birth is to ask your bank’s customer service to help out with this task, there’s a dedicated portal where banks can view BVN details to ascertain correctness before most transactions are treated.

How do I correct a mistake on BVN?

There’s no one straight answer to this question, however, the procedure required depends on what detail or mistake you are looking to correct.

Some mistakes that are usually corrected are;

• BVN change/correction of name
• Change of date of birth,
• Correction or change of phone number

This content deals exclusively with correction of date of birth, kindly check and follow other links to read corrections on other details.

How to correct BVN date of birth online

Unfortunately, you cannot correct or update your BVN details online, it’s required that you visit a physical branch for such issues to be regularized.

Be sure to visit the bank/branch where your BVN was profiled.

How long does it take to change BVN’s date of birth?

Having made provisions for the necessary documents, changes/corrections are effected within 24-48 hours of such notice.

How many times can I change my BVN date of birth?

You are granted access to change your date of birth only once, and this must be accompanied by supported documents.

Conclusion

The essence of BVN is to checkmate against unauthorized access into customers’ accounts, improve maximum security, and checkmate against opening bank accounts with different banks with several names and irregular identities.

Where you have the wrong date of birth on your BVN, such BVN cannot be linked to your bank account except it’s been regularized.