---
title: "Changing the legal entity type"
description: "Modify the account holder's legal entity type to onboard them with the correct verification process."
url: "https://docs.adyen.com/classic-platforms/account-holders-and-accounts/change-legal-entity"
source_url: "https://docs.adyen.com/classic-platforms/account-holders-and-accounts/change-legal-entity.md"
canonical: "https://docs.adyen.com/classic-platforms/account-holders-and-accounts/change-legal-entity"
last_modified: "2020-09-01T12:27:00+02:00"
language: "en"
---

# Changing the legal entity type

Modify the account holder's legal entity type to onboard them with the correct verification process.

This page is for classic Adyen for Platforms integrations. If you are just starting your implementation, refer to our [new integration guide](/adyen-for-platforms-model) instead.

Account holders sometimes sign up with the incorrect legal entity type. To fix this, change the legal entity type with an [/updateAccountHolder](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/#/Account/updateAccountHolder) request.

When you change the legal entity type, the account holder retains the `accountHolderCode`, `accountCode` and the transaction history.

To change the legal entity type, you can:

* [Migrate existing details](#migrate-existing), including the verification checks.
* Or [provide new details](#provide-new-details).

This feature is supported from **v5 and later** of the [/updateAccountHolder](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/#/Account/updateAccountHolder) endpoint.

## Migrating existing details

If you choose to migrate existing details, we also migrate the identity check status and the passport verification from the previous legal entity to the new one. We will perform the bank account verification again if required for the new legal entity.

After we complete the update, you get the [ACCOUNT\_HOLDER\_VERIFICATION](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/Notification/latest/post/ACCOUNT_HOLDER_VERIFICATION) notification, containing the migrated and new verification check statuses or requirements.

### Changing from Individual to Business

To change from **Individual** to **Business**, make an [/updateAccountHolder](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/#/Account/updateAccountHolder) request and provide the following parameters:

**Update legal entity to business**

```bash
curl https://cal-test.adyen.com/cal/services/Account/v6/updateAccountHolder \
-H 'x-api-key: ADYEN_API_KEY' \
-H 'content-type: application/json' \
-d '{
  "accountHolderCode": "YOUR_UNIQUE_ACCOUNT_HOLDER_CODE",
  "accountHolderDetails": {
    "businessDetails":{
      "legalBusinessName": "ACCOUNT_HOLDER_BUSINESS_NAME",
      "registrationNumber": "123456789"
    }
  },
  "legalEntity": "Business"
}'
```

### Changing from Business to Individual

You can only migrate data if the business account holder has only one shareholder. If the account holder has multiple shareholders, the request is rejected.

To change from **Business** to **Individual**, make an `/updateAccountHolder` request and provide the following fields:

**Update legal entity to individual**

```bash
curl https://cal-test.adyen.com/cal/services/Account/v6/updateAccountHolder \
-H 'x-api-key: ADYEN_API_KEY' \
-H 'content-type: application/json' \
-d '{
  "accountHolderCode": "YOUR_UNIQUE_ACCOUNT_HOLDER_CODE",
  "legalEntity": "Individual"
}'
```

## Providing new details

Alternatively, you can provide new details when changing the legal entity of an account holder.

After we complete the update, you get the [ACCOUNT\_HOLDER\_VERIFICATION](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/Notification/latest/post/ACCOUNT_HOLDER_VERIFICATION) notification, containing new verification check statuses or requirements.

### Changing from Individual to Business

To change from **Individual** to **Business**, make an `/updateAccountHolder` request and provide the following parameters:

**Update to business and provide new details**

```bash
curl https://cal-test.adyen.com/cal/services/Account/v6/updateAccountHolder \
-H 'x-api-key: ADYEN_API_KEY' \
-H 'content-type: application/json' \
-d '{
   "accountHolderCode" : "YOUR_UNIQUE_ACCOUNT_HOLDER_CODE",
   "legalEntity": "Business",
   "accountHolderDetails":{
     "businessDetails": {
       "legalBusinessName": "ACCOUNT_HOLDER_BUSINESS_NAME",
       "registrationNumber": "RegNumber12712",
       "shareholders": [
         {
           "address": {
             "city": "San Francisco",
             "country": "US",
             "houseNumberOrName": "9",
             "postalCode": "10621",
             "stateOrProvince": "CA",
             "street": "AwesomeStreet"
           },
           "email": "test@email.com",
           "name": {
             "firstName": "Simon",
             "gender": "UNKNOWN",
             "lastName": "Hopper"
           },
           "personalData": {
             "dateOfBirth": "1990-09-30",
             "documentData": [
                {
                  "number": "fa141fa2",
                  "type": "ID"
                }
             ]
           }
         }
      ]
    }
  }
}'
```

### Changing from Business to Individual

To change from **Business** to **Individual**, make an `/updateAccountHolder` request and provide the following parameters:

**Update to individual and provide new details**

```bash
curl https://cal-test.adyen.com/cal/services/Account/v6/updateAccountHolder \
-H 'x-api-key: ADYEN_API_KEY' \
-H 'content-type: application/json' \
-d '{
   "accountHolderCode" : "YOUR_UNIQUE_ACCOUNT_HOLDER_CODE",
   "legalEntity": "Individual",
   "accountHolderDetails":{
     "individualDetails": {
       "name": {
         "firstName": "Simon",
         "gender": "UNKNOWN",
         "lastName": "Hopper"
       },
       "personalData": {
         "dateOfBirth": "1990-09-30",
         "documentData": [
           {
             "number": "IdNumber42382",
             "type": "ID"
           }
         ]
       }
     }
   }
 }'
```