Where to change your ADP username

You change your ADP username through the ADP portal itself, not through your employer. Log in to your ADP account at adp.com, go to your profile or account settings (the exact location depends on which ADP product your employer uses), and look for a "Change Username" or "Update Login Information" option. The steps differ slightly between ADP Workforce Now, ADP Run, and ADP TotalSource, so if you cannot find the option in your first location, check the help section for your specific product.

If you cannot log in because you have forgotten your current username, use the "Forgot Username" link on the ADP login page instead. ADP will send a recovery email to the address on file with your employer's account. This is faster than contacting your HR department, though you can also ask them to help if the email recovery does not work.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your ADP username through your ADP account settings, not by contacting your employer or HR department.
  • The exact menu location varies by which ADP product your employer uses, so check the help section if you cannot find the username change option when ready.
  • If you cannot log in, use the "Forgot Username" link on the login page to receive your username by email.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready, but you will need to use it the next time you log in.
  • If the ADP portal does not let you change your username, your employer may have locked that setting, and you will need to contact your HR or payroll department.

What you need before you start

Have your current ADP password ready, because most username changes require you to verify your identity by entering your password. You will also need access to the email address on file with your ADP account, in case the system asks you to confirm the change by clicking a link in an email.

If your employer uses a single sign-on system (where you log in through your company's own portal rather than directly to ADP), you may not be able to change your username in ADP itself. In that case, contact your IT department or HR to see whether the username is managed through your company's system instead.

Step-by-step for ADP Workforce Now

Open adp.com and log in with your current username and password. Click on your name or profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. Select "My Account" or "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu. Look for a section labeled "Login Information," "Username," or "Security Settings." Click "Change Username" or "Edit" next to your current username. Enter your new username in the field provided. The new username must be unique (no one else in your company's ADP system can have it) and typically must be at least 6 characters long.

Review the new username for typos, then click "Save" or "Confirm." ADP will ask you to enter your password again to verify the change. After you confirm, the system will show a message saying the change was successful. You can now log out and log back in using your new username.

Step-by-step for ADP Run

Log in to your ADP Run account at run.adp.com. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Select "My Account" or "Profile." Look for "Login Credentials," "Username," or "Security" in the menu. Click "Change Username." Enter your new username and confirm your password when prompted. Click "Save" or "Update."

The change takes effect when ready. If you see an error message saying the username is already taken or does not meet the requirements, try a different username. ADP usernames are case-sensitive, so "JSmith" and "jsmith" are treated as different usernames.

What happens if your employer locked the username setting

Some employers restrict employees from changing their own usernames and require all changes to go through the HR or payroll department. If you click into your account settings and the username field is grayed out or shows "Contact your administrator," your employer has set this restriction.

In this case, contact your HR department or payroll team and ask them to change your username for you. They will need to make the change from the employer admin side of ADP, not from your employee account. This usually takes one to two business days. Once they make the change, you will receive an email confirming the new username, and you can log in with it on your next attempt.

Common reasons the change does not work

The username is already taken. ADP does not allow two people in the same company system to have the same username. If you see this error, choose a different username. Adding a number or middle initial often works if your first choice is taken.

The username does not meet length or character requirements. Most ADP systems require usernames to be 6 to 20 characters long and to contain only letters, numbers, and sometimes underscores or periods. Spaces and special characters like @, #, or ! are not allowed. If your chosen username is rejected, try removing spaces or using a shorter version.

You are not entering your password correctly. ADP requires you to re-enter your password to confirm a username change. Make sure Caps Lock is off and that you are typing your current password, not your new one. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page before attempting to change your username.

Your session timed out. If you are inactive for more than 15 to 30 minutes (the time varies by employer), ADP logs you out automatically. Log back in and try the change again.

After you change your username

Write down your new username and store it somewhere you can find it later. You will need it every time you log in to check your pay stub, update your tax withholding, or view your benefits. If you use a password manager, update the saved login there as well.

Your old username will no longer work. If you have bookmarked the ADP login page or saved the URL in your browser, those will still work, but you will need to enter your new username when prompted. If other people in your household or office also have ADP accounts, make sure they do not accidentally try to use your new username.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can change your username as many times as you want, as long as your employer has not locked the setting. However, if you changed it recently, ADP may prevent you from reusing the exact same username for a set period (often 30 days). If you need to go back to an old username when ready, contact your HR department.

What if I change my username and then forget the new one?

Use the "Forgot Username" link on the ADP login page. ADP will send your current username to the email address on file. You do not need to remember your old username to recover your current one.

Does changing my username affect my pay or benefits?

No. Your username is only for logging in to the ADP portal. Your pay, tax withholding, benefits, and all other payroll information stay exactly the same. The change is purely for your login credentials.

Can my employer see when I change my username?

Your employer can see that a username change occurred if they review the admin logs, but they are not automatically notified. Most employers do not monitor individual username changes unless there is a security concern.

What if I work for multiple companies that both use ADP?

Each company has its own separate ADP system, so you have a separate username and account for each employer. Changing your username at one job does not affect your login at the other job. You will need to log in to each company's ADP portal separately.