You can add a beneficiary to your Bank of America checking account through the mobile app, online banking, or by visiting a branch in person

A beneficiary is someone you name to receive the money in your account if you die. Bank of America lets you name one or more beneficiaries on most checking accounts. The process takes about 10 minutes online, and the beneficiary does not need to be a family member—you can name anyone you choose.

The fastest route is the Bank of America mobile app or website. Log in, find your account settings, and look for "Beneficiaries" or "Transfer on Death." You will provide the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. Bank of America will ask you to confirm the information before saving it. If you prefer to do this in person, you can visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and ask a banker to help you add a beneficiary.

Once you name a beneficiary, that person has no access to your account while you are alive. After you die, your beneficiary will need to contact Bank of America with a death certificate and proof of identity to claim the funds. The money passes directly to the beneficiary outside of probate, which means it does not go through your will or the court system.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add a beneficiary online through the Bank of America app or website by logging into your account and navigating to the beneficiary settings.
  • Bank of America requires the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address to complete the process.
  • A beneficiary has no access to your money while you are alive and cannot make withdrawals or changes to the account.
  • After your death, the beneficiary contacts Bank of America with a death certificate to claim the funds, bypassing probate entirely.
  • You can name multiple beneficiaries and specify what percentage of the account each person receives.

Adding a beneficiary through the Bank of America app

Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in with your username and password. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the lower right corner, then select "Settings." Scroll down and tap "Beneficiaries" or "Transfer on Death"—the exact wording varies by account type. Tap "Add Beneficiary" and enter the person's full legal name exactly as it appears on their government ID.

Next, enter their date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format and their Social Security number. Provide their current mailing address, including street, city, state, and ZIP code. If you want to name multiple beneficiaries, you can specify what percentage of the account each person receives—for example, 50% to one person and 50% to another. Bank of America will show you a summary of the information before you confirm. Once you tap "Confirm," the beneficiary is added to your account immediately.

Adding a beneficiary through Bank of America online banking

Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com. Click on the account you want to add a beneficiary to, then look for "Account Settings" or "Manage Account." Select "Beneficiaries" or "Transfer on Death." Click "Add Beneficiary" and fill in the same information: full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address.

You can add multiple beneficiaries and assign each one a percentage of the account. Bank of America will display a confirmation screen showing all the details you entered. Review it carefully—if anything is wrong, go back and correct it before submitting. Once you click "Confirm," the change takes effect right away, and you will receive a confirmation email.

Adding a beneficiary in person at a Bank of America branch

Visit any Bank of America branch during business hours with a photo ID and your debit card or account number. Tell the banker you want to add a beneficiary to your checking account. The banker will ask you for the beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. You can name one or more beneficiaries and decide how much of the account each person receives.

The banker will fill out the form with you and have you sign it. You will receive a copy for your records, and Bank of America will process the change that same day. This method works well if you prefer to speak with someone directly or if you have questions about how beneficiaries work.

What happens if you name multiple beneficiaries

You can name as many beneficiaries as you want on a single checking account. When you add each one, you specify what percentage of the account they receive. For example, you could give 40% to your spouse, 30% to your adult child, and 30% to your sibling. The percentages must add up to 100%.

After you die, each beneficiary receives their designated share. Bank of America will divide the account balance according to the percentages you set. If you do not specify percentages, Bank of America will divide the account equally among all beneficiaries you named. You can change these percentages at any time by logging back into your account settings and editing the beneficiary information.

Changing or removing a beneficiary

You can change a beneficiary's information or remove them entirely at any time while you are alive. Log into the Bank of America app or website, go to your account settings, and select "Beneficiaries." Click on the beneficiary you want to change, update their information, and save. To remove a beneficiary completely, click on their name and select "Remove" or "Delete."

Bank of America processes changes immediately, so there is no waiting period. If you remove all beneficiaries, the money in your account will go through your will or be distributed according to your state's inheritance laws after you die. You should update your beneficiary information if your life circumstances change—such as a marriage, divorce, or birth of a child.

What Bank of America accounts can have beneficiaries

Most Bank of America checking and savings accounts allow you to name a beneficiary. This includes regular checking accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, and savings accounts. Some specialty accounts, such as certain investment or retirement accounts, may have different rules about naming beneficiaries—those accounts may require you to name a beneficiary through a separate process.

If you are unsure whether your specific account type allows a beneficiary, log into your account and look for the beneficiary option in settings. If you do not see it, contact Bank of America customer service or visit a branch to ask. Money Market Accounts and CDs (Certificates of Deposit) at Bank of America also support beneficiaries, so you can protect multiple types of accounts.

How a beneficiary claims the money after you die

When you pass away, your beneficiary will need to contact Bank of America to claim the funds. They should call Bank of America customer service or visit a branch in person with a certified copy of your death certificate and a photo ID. The beneficiary does not need to go through probate court or hire a lawyer—Bank of America handles the transfer directly.

The bank will verify the death certificate and the beneficiary's identity, then transfer the funds to the beneficiary's own account or issue a check. The timeline varies, but most transfers happen within one to two weeks. If you named multiple beneficiaries, each one will receive their designated percentage. The beneficiary should keep a copy of the death certificate and any confirmation from Bank of America for their records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a beneficiary access my account before I die?

No. A beneficiary has no access to your account, cannot make withdrawals, and cannot see your balance while you are alive. They only receive the money after you pass away and provide Bank of America with a death certificate. You remain the sole owner and controller of the account.

What if I want to change my beneficiary?

You can change your beneficiary at any time by logging into the Bank of America app or website and editing the beneficiary information. You can also visit a branch in person. Changes take effect immediately, and you can remove a beneficiary or add a new one without any waiting period or approval process.

Do I need to tell my beneficiary that I named them?

Bank of America does not notify your beneficiary automatically. It is a good idea to tell them you named them and explain where to find the account information after you die. You might also leave a note with your important documents or tell a family member where your account details are stored.

What if I die without naming a beneficiary?

If you do not name a beneficiary, the money in your account will be distributed according to your will or your state's inheritance laws. This process goes through probate court, which can take several months or longer. Naming a beneficiary lets the money pass directly to that person, which is faster and avoids court involvement.

Can I name a minor as a beneficiary?

Yes, you can name a minor as a beneficiary. However, when the minor receives the funds after you die, a court may need to appoint a guardian to manage the money until the child reaches adulthood. You might consider naming an adult as a beneficiary instead, or naming a trust as the beneficiary if you want more control over how the money is used.