What you need to do to add a person to your account
Adding someone to your bank account means giving them legal access to withdraw money, make deposits, and see the account balance. Most banks let you do this in person at a branch, by phone, or through online banking. The person you're adding will need to provide identification and sometimes a Social Security number, and they may need to be present when you make the change — rules vary by bank and by state.
The process itself is straightforward: you contact your bank, name the person you want to add, and sign paperwork that makes them an authorized user or joint owner. The bank then verifies their identity and adds them to the account. This usually takes a few business days to complete, though some banks finish it the same day if you're both in the branch.
Key Takeaways
- You can add someone to your account by visiting your bank branch, calling customer service, or using online banking, depending on what your bank offers.
- The person you're adding will need a government-issued ID and usually a Social Security number, and some banks require them to be present in person.
- An authorized user can access the account but may not have the same legal rights as a joint owner, so ask your bank which option you're setting up.
- The change typically takes a few business days to show up on the account, though some banks complete it immediately if you both sign in the branch.
- Once someone is added, they can usually make any transaction you can make — withdrawals, transfers, and debit card use — so only add people you fully trust.
Adding someone in person at your bank branch
Going to your bank in person is the fastest and most straightforward way to add someone to your account. Bring your ID and the ID of the person you're adding — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. Tell the teller or account representative that you want to add an authorized user or joint owner to your account.
The bank will have you both sign paperwork that spells out what rights the new person has. Read this carefully, because it will say whether they're an "authorized user" (they can use the account but you stay the legal owner) or a "joint owner" (you both own it equally and both are responsible for overdrafts or debt). Once you both sign, the bank processes the change, and it usually takes effect within one to three business days.
Adding someone by phone or online
Many banks let you start the process over the phone or through their website without visiting a branch. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or log into your online banking portal and look for account settings or account management. You'll provide the person's name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
If you're doing this by phone, the bank may ask you security questions to confirm your identity, then walk you through the steps. If you're using online banking, you may be able to complete the whole thing yourself, though some banks will mail you forms to sign and return. Either way, the bank will contact the person you're adding to verify their identity — they may receive a call, email, or text asking them to confirm. The whole process usually takes three to five business days from start to finish.
What identification and information you'll need
The person you're adding needs to provide a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. They'll also need their Social Security number, which the bank uses to verify their identity and check their credit history (though adding someone to an existing account usually doesn't affect their credit score).
Some banks also ask for a phone number and email address so they can contact the person directly to confirm the change. If the person you're adding doesn't have a Social Security number — for example, if they're a minor or a non-citizen — ask your bank what alternative documents they accept. Some banks will take a tax ID number or passport number instead.
Understanding authorized user versus joint owner
Banks offer two different ways to add someone, and they have different legal meanings. An authorized user can use the account to make deposits, withdrawals, and transfers, and they get a debit card in their name. However, you remain the legal owner, and you're responsible for any overdrafts or debt on the account. The authorized user can't close the account or change its terms without your permission.
A joint owner has equal legal rights to the account. Both of you own it, both can make any change to it, and both are responsible for overdrafts. If one joint owner dies, the account usually passes to the surviving owner automatically. Joint ownership is more serious — it means the other person has the same power you do — so only choose this if you fully trust the person and want them to have complete control.
Ask your bank which option they're setting up when you add someone. Some banks use different terminology — "co-owner" instead of "joint owner," for example — so read the paperwork carefully to understand what rights the person will actually have.
How long the process takes and when it's complete
If you add someone in person at a branch and both of you sign the paperwork on the spot, the bank may activate the change immediately or within one business day. You'll usually be able to use the account right away, though it can take a few days for the new person's debit card to arrive in the mail.
If you're doing this by phone or online, expect three to five business days. The bank needs time to verify the person's identity, process the paperwork, and update their systems. Once the change is complete, the bank will send you a confirmation — usually by mail or email — showing the new account holder's name and the date the change took effect.
What happens after someone is added to your account
Once the person is added, they can do anything with the account that you can do: make withdrawals at an ATM, write checks, make online transfers, and use a debit card. They can also see the full account balance and transaction history. This means you should only add people you trust completely, because they have real access to your money.
You can remove someone from the account later by contacting your bank and signing a form to take their name off. This process is similar to adding them and usually takes a few business days. Some banks will let you do it online or by phone; others require you to come in person. Once they're removed, their debit card stops working and they lose access to the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a minor to my bank account?
Yes, but the minor must be present in person at the branch with a valid ID, and a parent or guardian usually needs to be present too. Some banks have age limits — they may require the person to be at least 13 or 16 — so call your bank first to ask what their policy is.
Will adding someone to my account affect their credit score?
Adding someone as an authorized user or joint owner typically does not affect their credit. However, if the account goes into overdraft or debt, and the bank reports it to credit bureaus, it could show up on their credit report. Ask your bank whether they report account activity to credit bureaus.
What if the person I want to add doesn't have a Social Security number?
Some banks accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a passport number, or other government ID instead. Call your bank's customer service line and ask what documents they accept for someone without a Social Security number.
Can I add someone to just part of my account, like a savings account but not checking?
That depends on your bank. Some banks treat checking and savings as separate accounts and let you add someone to one but not the other. Others link them together. Ask your bank whether you can add someone to specific accounts or whether adding them gives them access to all your accounts.
What's the difference between adding someone and giving them power of attorney?
Adding someone to your account gives them direct access to the money. Power of attorney is a legal document that lets someone act on your behalf — for example, to pay bills or manage investments — but they don't own the account. Power of attorney is more limited and can be revoked more easily, while adding someone to an account is a permanent change until you remove them.