Yes, you can change your Vanguard username, but the process depends on which Vanguard service you use

Vanguard offers multiple platforms — the main investment website (vanguard.com), the mobile app, and Vanguard Personal Advisor Services — and each one handles username changes differently. For the main website and mobile app, you change your username through your account settings without contacting support. For accounts managed through a financial advisor, you'll need to call or meet with your advisor directly. The change takes effect when ready on the platform where you made it.

Your username is separate from your password. Changing one does not change the other. You'll use your new username the next time you log in, but your old username stops working right away.

Key Takeaways

  • On vanguard.com or the Vanguard mobile app, go to Account Settings, then Profile, then select Change Username to pick a new one.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready and your old username becomes inactive as soon as you save the change.
  • If you use Vanguard Personal Advisor Services, call your advisor or visit your local office to request a username change.
  • You do not need to change your password when you change your username unless you want to.

Changing your username on the Vanguard website

Log in to vanguard.com with your current username and password. Once you're in your account, look for the account menu — this is usually in the top right corner and may show your name or a profile icon. Click it and select Account Settings or Profile Settings.

From there, find the option labeled Change Username or Update Username. Enter your new username in the field provided. Vanguard will tell you if the username is already taken or if it doesn't meet their requirements (usually a minimum length and no special characters). Once you've entered a username that works, save the change. You'll see a confirmation message, and your new username is active when ready.

Changing your username on the Vanguard mobile app

Open the Vanguard app and log in. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) or look for a settings or profile option at the bottom of the screen. The exact location varies depending on whether you use the iOS or Android version, but both apps have a Profile or Account Settings section.

Select Profile or Account Settings, then look for Change Username or Update Username. Enter your new username, check that it meets Vanguard's requirements, and save. The change takes effect when ready, and you'll use your new username the next time you log in to the app.

If you work with a Vanguard financial advisor

Accounts managed through Vanguard Personal Advisor Services or a local Vanguard office do not allow self-service username changes online. Instead, contact your advisor directly by phone or during your next in-person meeting and ask them to update your username in their system.

Your advisor can make the change on their end, but you may still need to update it in the online portal separately if you also use vanguard.com. Ask your advisor whether you need to make the change in both places or just one.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, the old one becomes inactive when ready. No one else can register it right away — Vanguard holds it for a period of time before it becomes available again. This protects your account from someone else taking your old username and potentially impersonating you or confusing your account history.

You cannot log in with your old username after the change, even if you remember it. If you forget your new username, use the "Forgot Username" link on the Vanguard login page to have it sent to your email address on file.

Username requirements and common mistakes

Vanguard usernames must be between 6 and 32 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and some special characters like underscores or hyphens. They cannot include spaces or most punctuation marks. Usernames are case-insensitive, meaning VanguardUser123 and vanguarduser123 are treated as the same username.

A common mistake is trying to use an email address as your username. Vanguard does not allow this. Your username and your email address are separate pieces of information. You log in with your username, but Vanguard uses your email address to send you account notifications and password reset links.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed change

If you see an error message when you try to save your new username, the most common reasons are: the username is already taken, it doesn't meet length or character requirements, or your browser's cache is outdated. Clear your browser cache and try again, or try a different browser entirely.

If the change still doesn't go through, or if you see an error message that doesn't make sense, contact Vanguard directly. You can reach them through the Contact Us section on vanguard.com, by phone (the number is on your account statements or the back of your Vanguard card), or by visiting a local office. Have your account number and the email address on file ready when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your username and password are separate. You can change one without changing the other. However, if you want to change your password at the same time, you can do that in the same Account Settings area.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Not when ready. Vanguard holds your old username for a period of time after you change it. After that period ends, you may be able to reclaim it, but you'll need to contact Vanguard to ask whether it's available and how to request it.

Will changing my username affect my investments or account balance?

No. Your username is only used to log in. It has no effect on your account balance, holdings, or any transactions. All your investments and money remain exactly as they were.

What if I can't remember my new username after I change it?

Go to the Vanguard login page and click "Forgot Username." Enter the email address on your account, and Vanguard will send your current username to that email. You'll receive it within a few minutes.

Can someone else change my username if they have my password?

Yes, which is why keeping your password find is important. If you think someone else has accessed your account, change your password when ready and contact Vanguard to review your account activity for any unauthorized changes.