What you need to bring and who can open a joint account

Bank of America lets you open a joint account with another person in person at a branch or online through their website. Both account holders must be present if you open in person, or you can start online and the second person completes their part of the process separately. You'll each need a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card — and a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Either person can initiate the account opening. The person who starts the process becomes the primary account holder, and the second person is added as a joint owner. Both of you have equal access to the account and can withdraw money, write checks, and make transfers. Bank of America does not restrict who can be a joint account holder — you can add a spouse, adult child, parent, business partner, or any other adult.

If you're opening online, you'll need an email address and phone number for each account holder. Bank of America will send verification codes to both email addresses during setup. The process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes per person.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account holders need a government photo ID and Social Security number or ITIN, whether you open in person or online.
  • You can start the account online yourself, and the second person can complete their portion separately using a verification code Bank of America sends them.
  • Both joint owners have full access to the account and can withdraw all funds, so only add someone you trust completely.
  • Bank of America offers several joint account types — checking, savings, and money market — with different minimum balances and monthly fees depending on the account tier.
  • If one account holder dies, the surviving owner typically retains full access to the account and its funds, depending on how the account is titled.

Opening a joint account online through Bank of America's website

Start by going to bankofamerica.com and clicking "Open an Account." Select "Checking," "Savings," or whichever account type you want, then choose "Open Online." You'll enter your name, email, phone number, and Social Security number or ITIN. Bank of America will ask for your date of birth and current address.

Next, you'll select the account features you want — overdraft protection, debit card, online banking access — and review the monthly fees and minimum balance requirements for that account tier. Once you confirm, Bank of America sends a verification code to your email. Enter that code to complete your portion.

Then you'll add the second account holder's information. Enter their name, email, phone number, and Social Security number or ITIN. Bank of America sends a verification code to their email address. The second person must click the link in that email and enter the code to confirm they agree to be a joint owner. Until they do, the account remains in your name only.

Once both of you have verified, the account opens and you can fund it immediately using a linked external bank account, debit card, or wire transfer. Your debit cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days.

Opening a joint account in person at a Bank of America branch

Visit any Bank of America branch with both account holders present. Bring both photo IDs and both Social Security numbers or ITINs. Tell the banker you want to open a joint account and which type — checking, savings, or money market.

The banker will run a ChexSystems check on both of you. ChexSystems is a banking history report that flags accounts closed for negative reasons, fraud, or unpaid overdrafts. If either of you has a negative ChexSystems record, Bank of America may deny the account or require a deposit to a second-chance checking account instead.

You'll review the account terms, monthly fees, and minimum balance requirements together. Both of you will sign the account agreement and provide identification. The banker will take a copy of both IDs and verify your Social Security numbers. The account opens the same day, and you can make your first deposit immediately. Debit cards are ordered and arrive within 7 to 10 business days.

Monthly fees and minimum balance requirements

Bank of America charges different monthly fees depending on which account type and tier you choose. A basic checking account (Advantage Checking) costs $12 per month, but the fee is waived if you maintain a $1,500 minimum daily balance, set up direct deposit, or keep $500 in a linked savings account. Advantage Plus Checking costs $15 per month and waives the fee with a $2,500 minimum balance or direct deposit.

Savings accounts start at $0 monthly fee for a basic savings account with no minimum balance requirement. Money market accounts typically require a $2,500 minimum balance and charge $12 per month if the balance falls below that.

These fees and minimums apply to the joint account as a whole, not per person. If the account balance drops below the minimum, the monthly fee is charged once, not twice. Both account holders can contribute to meeting the minimum balance requirement.

What happens if one account holder wants to leave or dies

If one joint owner wants to remove themselves from the account, they must visit a Bank of America branch in person with their ID. The banker will close the joint account and can transfer the funds to a new individual account in that person's name, or the funds can be split between two separate accounts. The other account holder's access ends when the account closes.

If one joint owner dies, the surviving owner typically retains full access to the account and all its funds. This is because most joint accounts are set up as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship," meaning the surviving owner automatically inherits the account. Bank of America will ask for a death certificate to update the account records, but the surviving owner can continue using the account without interruption.

If the account was set up as "tenants in common" instead — which is less common and must be specified at account opening — the deceased owner's portion of the account becomes part of their estate and may go through probate. Ask the banker which setup you have if this matters to your situation.

Fraud protection and liability if something goes wrong

Bank of America covers unauthorized transactions on joint accounts under federal law. If someone uses your debit card or account number without permission, you must report it to Bank of America within 60 days of the statement date when the unauthorized transaction appears. Bank of America will investigate and typically refund the money within 10 business days if fraud is confirmed.

Your liability depends on how quickly you report. If you report within two business days of discovering the fraud, you're liable for no more than $50 of unauthorized debit card transactions. If you wait more than two business days but less than 60 days, you're liable for up to $500. After 60 days, you may lose all protection.

One important note: if the unauthorized transaction was made by the other joint account holder — for example, if one person withdraws money without the other's permission — this is not considered fraud under federal law. Both joint owners have equal legal right to all funds in the account. If you believe the other owner took money improperly, you would need to pursue that through civil court, not through Bank of America's fraud process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a joint account online if the other person lives in a different state?

Yes. Bank of America's online account opening works across all states. Both of you complete the process separately using your own computers or phones. The second person receives a verification code by email and completes their portion independently. The account opens once both people have verified their identity.

What if Bank of America denies the joint account?

Bank of America typically denies accounts because of a negative ChexSystems record — unpaid overdrafts, fraud, or accounts closed for cause at another bank. If denied, ask the banker which reason applies. You may be offered a second-chance checking account with higher fees and a lower initial deposit requirement. You can also dispute inaccurate information on your ChexSystems report by contacting ChexSystems directly.

Do both account holders need to be U.S. citizens?

No. One or both account holders can be non-citizens with an ITIN. Bank of America will ask for additional documentation — a passport and proof of address — but citizenship is not required. An ITIN is issued by the IRS and can be obtained even if you don't have a Social Security number.

Can I add a third person to a joint account later?

No. Bank of America joint accounts are limited to two owners. If you want to add a third person, you would need to close the account and open a new one with different owners, or open a separate account for that person. Some families use multiple two-person joint accounts instead.

Will opening a joint account affect my credit score?

No. Opening a checking or savings account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Bank of America may run a ChexSystems check, which is a banking history report, but that also does not impact your credit. Only credit products like loans and credit cards affect your credit score.