The basic process depends on the account type and the bank
Removing someone from a bank account requires the account owner to contact the bank directly—there is no online form or third-party process that does this. Most banks let you remove an authorized user or co-owner by phone, in person, or through your online banking portal, but the exact steps and who can authorize the removal depend on how the account was set up and what role that person holds.
If the person you want to remove is a co-owner (someone with equal legal rights to the account), the process is more complicated than removing an authorized user (someone who can use the account but does not own it). Co-owners typically require both owners' signatures or consent to be removed, while authorized users can usually be removed by the primary account holder alone. Before you start, check your account paperwork or call your bank to confirm which type of account holder you are dealing with.
Key Takeaways
- Authorized users can usually be removed by the primary account holder with a phone call or online request, but co-owners often require both owners' written consent or signatures.
- Contact your specific bank directly—removal procedures vary by institution, and some banks require you to visit a branch in person.
- Removing someone from a joint account does not automatically close the account or affect their credit, but it does end their legal access to the funds.
- If the person you want to remove is deceased, bring a death certificate and ask about your bank's specific process for that situation.
- Removing a co-owner may require closing the account and opening a new one, depending on your bank's policies.
Removing an authorized user versus a co-owner
An authorized user is someone you added to your account who can make transactions but does not own the account. You can usually remove an authorized user without their knowledge or consent. Call your bank, go online to your account settings, or visit a branch and ask to remove the person by name and account number. Most banks process this within one business day.
A co-owner is someone whose name appears on the account title and who has equal legal rights to all the money in it. Removing a co-owner is harder because both owners typically have to agree. Some banks require both signatures on a form; others require both owners to appear in person. A few banks will let the primary account holder remove a co-owner unilaterally, but this is less common. Call your bank and ask what their policy is for your specific account type.
If you are unsure which type of account holder the person is, look at your account statements or the original paperwork. If their name appears on the account title (usually printed at the top of statements), they are a co-owner. If they were added later and their name does not appear on the title, they are likely an authorized user.
Steps to remove an authorized user
Start by gathering the person's full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number if you have it. Call your bank's customer service line or visit your online banking portal. Most banks have a section under "Account Settings" or "Manage Users" where you can remove someone without calling.
If you use online banking, log in and look for a tab labeled "Authorized Users," "Account Access," or "Manage Permissions." Click the person's name and select "Remove" or "Delete." The bank will usually ask you to confirm the removal and may send you a confirmation email or letter within a few days.
If you prefer to call, have your account number ready and tell the representative you want to remove an authorized user. They will verify your identity (usually by asking for your PIN, password, or answers to security questions) and then process the removal. Ask for a confirmation number and request written confirmation by mail. The removal typically takes effect immediately, though the person may still see the account in their online banking for a day or two before it disappears.
Removing a co-owner: what to expect
Removing a co-owner is slower and more formal. Call your bank and ask what documents you need. Most banks require a signed form from both the account owner and the co-owner, or they may require both of you to appear in person at a branch. Some banks will not remove a co-owner at all and will instead ask you to close the account and open a new one in your name alone.
If your bank requires both signatures, you will need to obtain the co-owner's signature on a removal form. If the co-owner refuses to sign or is unreachable, you have limited options. You can close the account entirely (which requires the co-owner's consent in most cases), or you can leave the account as is. Some banks allow you to freeze the account or restrict the co-owner's access, but this is not the same as removal.
If you must close the account to remove a co-owner, the bank will issue a check or transfer the balance to a new account in your name. This process usually takes five to ten business days. Any pending transactions or automatic payments linked to the old account will need to be updated or cancelled.
Removing someone who is deceased
If the person you want to remove has died, bring the death certificate to your bank in person or mail a certified copy. Most banks have a specific process for this and do not require the co-owner's consent. The bank will remove the deceased person's name from the account and may ask you to confirm your identity and your relationship to the account.
If the account is a joint account with right of survivorship, the surviving owner automatically becomes the sole owner, and the bank will update the account title. If the account does not have survivorship language, the bank may freeze the account temporarily while the estate is settled. Ask your bank which type of account you have and what happens next.
What happens after someone is removed
Once an authorized user is removed, they lose access to the account immediately. They cannot see the account balance, make transfers, or use a debit card linked to that account. If they have a debit card, it will stop working. Removal does not affect their credit score or credit history.
If a co-owner is removed, the same thing happens—they lose access and cannot use the account. However, if the account was reported to credit bureaus under both names, the removal may show up on their credit report as a change in account status. This does not hurt their credit, but it is a record that the account is no longer jointly held.
Removing someone does not close the account or move the money. The remaining account holder keeps all the funds and continues to use the account normally. Any automatic payments, direct deposits, or standing orders stay in place unless you change them.
If the person refuses to be removed or you cannot reach them
If you are trying to remove a co-owner who refuses to sign the removal form, you have few legal options. You cannot unilaterally remove a co-owner without their consent in most states, and the bank will not do it for you. Your options are to close the account (which usually requires both signatures) or to leave the account as is.
If you cannot reach the co-owner, document your attempts to contact them. Some banks may allow you to close the account and open a new one if you can show that the co-owner is unreachable or has abandoned the account. This varies by bank and by state law, so ask your bank what they can do in your specific situation.
If there is a dispute over who owns the money or who has the right to remove someone, you may need to consult a lawyer or contact your state's banking regulator. This is especially true if the account holds a significant amount of money or if the co-owner is contesting the removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove someone from a joint account without their permission?
It depends on their role. If they are an authorized user, yes—you can remove them without their knowledge. If they are a co-owner, no—most banks require both owners' consent. Some banks will let you close the account and open a new one to achieve the same result, but this is not the same as removal.
Will removing someone hurt their credit?
No. Removal does not affect the other person's credit score or credit history. It simply ends their access to the account. If the account was reported to credit bureaus, the removal may show as a status change, but this does not lower their score.
What if the person has a debit card linked to the account?
The debit card will stop working once they are removed. The bank may deactivate it immediately or within a day or two. If the person tries to use it after removal, the transaction will be declined. You do not need to do anything—the bank handles this automatically.
Can I remove a co-owner if they are in prison or unreachable?
This varies by bank and by state law. Some banks may allow you to close the account if you can document that the co-owner is unreachable. Others will not. Contact your bank and ask what options are available. You may need a lawyer or court order if the situation is complicated.
How long does it take to remove someone?
Removing an authorized user usually takes one business day. Removing a co-owner can take one to three weeks, depending on whether both owners need to sign forms or appear in person. Closing and reopening an account may take five to ten business days.