Number porting between people

February 2, 2008 1:52 PM

NumberPortFilter: Is it possible to port my number from my dad's account to my soon-to-be-new account under my own name (same carrier)? Clarification on the inside.

When I first got my cellphone years ago, I was just a hapless teenager and of course had no credit to my name and so my "account" (currently w/ AT&T) is really my dad's account under his name. Well, now i'm older with credit (well, >0 credit) and am thinking about getting an iphone. I'd want it to be under my name, which would conceivably be a new account w/ AT&T....can I keep my number?

posted by virga to Technology (5 answers total)

Rather than starting a new account, you should be able to assume his line by going to a local dealer with your dad, and filling out a form authorizing you to take over his account. I think you should be able to change the plan/features afterwards - so you would be able to keep the same number.
posted by flod logic at 1:57 PM on February 2, 2008

Yep, just do it in two steps as flod logic said:

1) Transfer ownership of account to you.

2) Get iPhone, port number to it.

I was in the same situation with AT&T, and as I recall we were able to do step 1 over the phone by making a three-way call to all involved parties.
posted by Diggins at 3:21 PM on February 2, 2008

Yes, you can do this. I did it a few weeks ago with Sprint. My phone number was one of several on the family plan, which was in my father's name. We went to a Sprint store and both filled out and signed a form giving me control over the number and then Sprint moved the number over to a new account for me. It was pretty straightforward.
posted by posadnitsa at 4:08 PM on February 2, 2008

This is actually considered a change of billing responsibility of assumption of liability, not a port, and is extremely common. There should be no issues doing this either via a store or over the phone with AT&T customer care. Note that they may require you to assume a new one year contract for the pleasure of keeping the number.

They will require approval from both parties and you will need to meet their eligibility requirements (credit check).
posted by Octoparrot at 4:26 PM on February 2, 2008

Just did this with T-Mobile. Be aware that they may wipe and reset any and all tenure and perks that you've established as a customer. Meaning, get the discounted handset and plan upgrades before you switch up the billing.
posted by SemiSophos at 7:19 PM on February 2, 2008