29-586

Certification of Change for Correction of Name—Government Life Insurance

Agency
VA
Revision
May 2025
Fillable fields
18
Pages
1
Official source
VA form page
Checked
October 20, 2026
Fill 29-586 online
Page 1 of form 29-586

VA Form 29-586: Certification of Change for Correction of Name, Government Life Insurance

VA Form 29-586 is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Certification of Change for Correction of Name for Government Life Insurance. VA's form page lists it under life insurance. The form opens with a notice that VA has received a communication indicating the insured's name, as it appears on VA insurance records, should be changed. It asks the insured to complete and return the form if the name is different than the one shown.

The form is one page. The top identifies the insured by name and address, insurance file number and Social Security number. Part I is completed by the insured with the changed or corrected name, a new address if there is one, the reason and a signed certification. Part II is completed by two witnesses, but only when the reason is something other than marriage, divorce, annulment or correction of name.

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Top of page 1 of VA Form 29-586: Certification of Change for Correction of Name, Government Life Insurance, as printed by VA

What's on VA Form 29-586

Items 1 to 3: insured's record

The name and address of the insured, the insurance file number and the Social Security number.

Items 4 and 5: new name and address

The name as it should be changed or corrected, typed or printed, and an address that the form says to complete only if it is different than the one shown in Item 1.

Item 6: reason

Checkboxes for marriage, divorce or annulment, correction, or other, with space to specify another reason.

Items 7 and 8: certification and signature

The insured certifies being the insured named in the policy under the file number, signs in ink in Item 7 and enters the date in Item 8.

Part II: witnesses

Witnesses certify that they have personally known the insured and know the insured to be one and the same person, and that to the best of their knowledge the change is requested for the reason given. Each gives a signature in ink, an address and a date.

Penalty and privacy notices

The form states the penalty for a statement of a material fact known to be false, the Privacy Act information and a respondent burden of 10 minutes.

How to fill out VA Form 29-586

  1. 1

    Check the name on file

    Compare the name shown in Item 1 with the correct name. The form's notice asks the insured to complete and return it if they are different.

  2. 2

    Enter the new name

    Type or print the changed or corrected name in Item 4. Fill in Item 5 only if the address is different than the one in Item 1.

  3. 3

    Mark the reason

    Check one reason in Item 6. For other, specify the reason in the space given.

  4. 4

    Sign and date Part I

    Sign Item 7 in ink, as the form asks, and enter the date in Item 8.

  5. 5

    Add two witnesses if needed

    When the reason is something other than marriage, divorce, annulment or correction, two witnesses complete Part II with their signatures in ink, addresses and dates.

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Returning it and getting help

Returning the form

The form's notice asks the insured to complete and return it. The form itself does not print a mailing address.

Questions

The form says to call toll free at 1-800-669-8477 with any questions about your insurance.

Edition

The form supersedes the April 2022 edition, which it says will not be used. It carries OMB Control No. 2900-0679, which expires 05/31/2028.

Related forms

Who uses VA Form 29-586?

  • The insured

    Part I is to be completed by the insured, who certifies being the insured named in the policy or policies under the file number shown on the form.

  • Insureds who received VA's notice

    The notice on the form says VA received a communication indicating the name on its insurance records should be changed, and asks the insured to complete and return the form if the name differs from the one shown.

  • Name changes after marriage, divorce or a correction

    Item 6 lists marriage, divorce or annulment, correction and other as reasons. Part II, the witness section, is not completed for marriage, divorce, annulment or correction of name.

  • Two witnesses, for other reasons

    The form says Part II is completed only if the change of name is for a reason other than marriage, divorce, annulment or correction of name, and that two witnesses are required then.

The form names who completes each part.

Official sources and the blank

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Questions about Form 29-586

What is VA Form 29-586 used for?

It is used to change or correct the insured's name on VA Government Life Insurance records. The form's notice says VA received a communication indicating the name on its records should be changed.

Does VA Form 29-586 need witnesses?

Only in some cases. The form says Part II is completed only if the change of name is for a reason other than marriage, divorce, annulment or correction of name, and that two witnesses are required then.

Which reasons does the form list?

Item 6 lists marriage, divorce or annulment, correction, and other, with space to specify.

Can I update my address on the same form?

Item 5 has space for an address, which the form says to complete only if it is different than the address shown in Item 1.

Where do I send VA Form 29-586?

The form asks the insured to complete and return it but prints no mailing address. It lists the toll free number 1-800-669-8477 for questions about your insurance.