What you need to do to add a person to your bank account
Adding a person to your bank account means giving them legal access to deposit, withdraw, and manage money in that account alongside you. The process takes between one and five business days, depending on your bank and whether you're adding them in person or online. You'll need the other person present (or their information if doing it remotely), a valid government ID for them, and their Social Security number or tax ID.
Most banks let you start the process online, by phone, or in a branch. The fastest route is usually a branch visit, because the bank can verify the other person's identity on the spot and complete the paperwork immediately. If you do it online or by phone, the bank will mail documents for the other person to sign, which adds several days to the timeline.
Once both of you have signed, the bank updates its records and issues new debit cards and checks (if applicable) within one to three business days. The new account holder can then use the account right away, even if their physical card hasn't arrived yet.
Key Takeaways
- You can add someone to your account in person at a branch, by phone, or online, and the process usually takes one to five business days from start to finish.
- The bank will ask for the other person's government ID, Social Security number, and signature on account documents before they gain access.
- Adding someone in a branch is fastest because the bank verifies their identity immediately and completes the paperwork on the same day.
- Once the account is updated, both account holders have equal legal rights to all the money in the account, and either can withdraw or close it without the other's permission.
- Some banks charge a fee to add an account holder, while others do not — call your bank to ask before you start.
Adding someone in person at a branch
Bring your ID, the other person's government ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), and go to any branch of your bank together. Tell the teller you want to add the person as an account holder. The teller will verify both IDs, ask for the other person's Social Security number, and have you both sign the account change form.
The bank processes the change that day or the next business day. New debit cards are usually ordered and arrive within three to five business days. If the account already has checks, the new account holder can use those immediately, but new checks with their name will be ordered and take one to two weeks to arrive.
This is the fastest and clearest method because there is no back-and-forth by mail and no room for confusion about signatures or documents.
Adding someone online or by phone
Log into your online banking account and look for "Account Settings," "Manage Account," or "Account Holders" — the exact label varies by bank. Select the option to add an account holder and enter the other person's name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The bank will then mail documents to both of you for signature.
You sign and return your copy. The other person must sign their copy and return it to the bank as well. Once the bank receives both signed documents, it processes the change, which usually takes one to three business days. The entire process from start to finish takes one to two weeks.
If you call your bank instead, a representative will walk you through the same steps over the phone and mail the documents to you. Some banks will not complete the change until both signatures are received and verified, so delays on either end can slow things down.
What information and documents the bank will ask for
The bank needs the other person's full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number or tax ID, and a government-issued photo ID. If the person is not a U.S. citizen, the bank may ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number, or a passport if they don't have a U.S. driver's license.
The bank will also ask the other person to sign a signature card or account change form. This is the bank's record that the person agreed to be added and that they understand the terms of the account. If you're doing this by mail, the bank will send the form to both of you separately so each of you can sign in front of a witness or notary, depending on the bank's rules.
Some banks ask whether the new account holder is a U.S. resident for tax purposes. This is for IRS reporting and does not affect whether they can be added; it just determines what tax forms the bank sends them at the end of the year.
Fees and account type considerations
Most banks do not charge a fee to add an account holder. However, some banks charge $10 to $25 for this service, and a few charge only if you're adding someone remotely (by phone or mail) rather than in person. Call your bank's customer service line and ask whether there is a fee before you start the process.
The type of account matters. You can add someone to a checking account, savings account, or money market account. You cannot add someone to a certificate of deposit (CD) or retirement account (IRA, 401k) through this process — those accounts have different rules and require different paperwork. If you want to add someone to a CD or retirement account, ask your bank what options are available, because the answer depends on the account type and the bank's policies.
If your account has special features — like overdraft protection, a linked line of credit, or fraud alerts — the new account holder will have access to those features as well. Ask your bank whether any of these will change when you add someone.
What rights the new account holder will have
Once someone is added to your account, they become a joint account holder with equal legal rights. This means they can deposit money, withdraw money, write checks, use the debit card, and see all transaction history. They can also close the account, change the account settings, or remove themselves without your permission.
If the account is overdrawn, both account holders are responsible for the overdraft fee. If the account is used for fraud or illegal activity, both account holders can be held liable. The bank treats both of you as owners of all the money in the account, regardless of who deposited it.
This is different from adding someone as an authorized user on a credit card, where the authorized user can make purchases but does not own the account. A joint bank account holder is a true co-owner.
Removing someone from the account later
If you need to remove someone from the account in the future, you can do so by visiting a branch, calling the bank, or using online banking — the same methods used to add them. However, the person being removed does not have to agree to it. You can remove them unilaterally because you are both joint owners with equal rights.
When someone is removed, they lose access to the account immediately. The bank may issue them a final check for any funds they had deposited, or it may require both account holders to agree on how to split the money. Ask your bank what its policy is before you remove someone, especially if there is money in dispute.
If the account has automatic payments or direct deposits set up, removing an account holder does not change those — they continue to go to the account. Make sure to update any automatic transfers or bill payments if the removed person was relying on access to the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone to my account without them being present?
Yes. You can start the process online or by phone, and the bank will mail documents to the other person for their signature. However, the bank must verify their identity, so they will need to provide their Social Security number and sign the documents. The process takes longer this way — usually one to two weeks instead of one day.
What if the person I'm adding doesn't have a Social Security number?
If they are a U.S. resident without a Social Security number, they may have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If they have neither, some banks will not add them to the account. Call your bank and ask whether they can use a passport number or other government ID instead, because policies vary.
Can I add someone to my account and limit what they can do with it?
No. A joint account holder has full access to all the money and all the account features. If you want to limit someone's access — for example, to let a teenager withdraw money but not close the account — you would need to open a separate account and add them as an authorized user, or use a custodial account if they are a minor. Ask your bank what options are available for your situation.
Does adding someone to my account affect their credit score?
No. Adding someone as a joint account holder does not appear on their credit report and does not affect their credit score. However, if the account is overdrawn or has unpaid fees, the bank may report it to a collection agency, which could affect both account holders' credit.
What happens to the account if one of us dies?
This depends on how the account is titled and your state's laws. In most cases, the surviving account holder keeps the account and all the money in it. However, if the account is titled as "payable on death" (POD) to someone else, that person may have a claim to the funds. Ask your bank how your account is titled and what will happen if one account holder dies.