What you need to do to open a joint account at Bank of America

You and the other account owner must both visit a Bank of America branch in person with valid government-issued ID. Bank of America does not allow joint accounts to be opened online or by phone. Both people need to sign the account paperwork, and the bank will run a ChexSystems check on both of you — a report that tracks banking history and any past issues with other banks.

The account can be set up as either "joint tenants with rights of survivorship" (meaning the surviving owner inherits the account if one dies) or "tenants in common" (meaning the deceased owner's share goes to their estate). You choose which structure you want when you sign the paperwork. Most couples choose joint tenants with rights of survivorship.

You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of current address (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number. If either person has a history of overdrafts or fraud at other banks, the ChexSystems report may cause the bank to deny the account, though this is not automatic.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account owners must appear in person at a Bank of America branch with valid ID — online or phone opening is not an option.
  • Bank of America will check ChexSystems on both people, which may flag past overdrafts or fraud at other banks.
  • You choose whether the account passes to the surviving owner (joint tenants with rights of survivorship) or to the estate (tenants in common) when you sign.
  • Bring government ID, proof of address dated within 60 days, and your Social Security number for both account owners.
  • The account is active immediately after you sign, and debit cards typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days.

What documents to bring to the branch

Each person opening the account needs a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Bank of America will not accept expired IDs, even if the photo is still recognizable.

You also need proof of your current address. Bank of America accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or recent bank statement in your name, dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill does not count. If you have moved recently and do not yet have a document in your new name, bring the most recent document you have and be prepared to explain the move to the banker.

Both people need to provide their Social Security number. The bank uses this to run the ChexSystems check and to set up the account in the system. If you do not have a Social Security number, you may be able to use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), but call your local branch first to confirm they will accept it.

How the ChexSystems check works and what can block your account

ChexSystems is a banking history report that tracks overdrafts, bounced checks, fraud, and other issues at banks and credit unions. When you apply for a joint account, Bank of America pulls a report on both people. If either person has recent negative marks, the bank may deny the account or require a waiting period.

A single overdraft from years ago usually does not block you. However, multiple overdrafts in the past 12 months, unpaid fees, or a history of fraud will likely result in denial. If you have been denied at other banks in the past, ask Bank of America directly whether ChexSystems will show that denial — some denials stay on the report for five years.

If your account is denied, you have the right to request a copy of your ChexSystems report and dispute any errors on it. You can do this through ChexSystems' website or by calling them directly. Correcting errors can sometimes reverse a denial, though it takes time.

Setting up ownership structure and account permissions

When you sign the account paperwork, you will choose how the account is titled. Joint tenants with rights of survivorship means that if one owner dies, the surviving owner automatically owns the entire account without going through probate. This is the most common choice for married couples and long-term partners.

Tenants in common means each owner has a separate legal claim to their portion of the account. If one owner dies, their share goes to their estate and passes according to their will, not automatically to the other owner. This structure is less common but may be chosen by people who want to keep their finances partially separate or who have children from previous relationships.

Both owners have full access to the account — either can deposit, withdraw, or transfer money, and either can close the account. Bank of America does not offer a way to restrict one owner's access or require both signatures for transactions. If you want to limit what one person can do, a joint account is not the right tool.

Fees, minimum balance, and account features

Bank of America's joint checking accounts carry the same fees as individual accounts. The most common account type is the Advantage Banking account, which has no monthly fee if you maintain a $500 minimum daily balance or set up direct deposit. If your balance falls below $500 and you do not have direct deposit, the bank charges $12 per month.

The account comes with a debit card for each owner, online banking access, and the ability to set up bill pay and transfers. You can link the account to a savings account for overdraft protection, which means if you overdraw checking, the bank will transfer money from savings to cover it — this costs $12 per transfer.

Both owners can see the full transaction history and account balance online. Bank of America does not offer a way to hide transactions from one owner or to set spending limits on either person's debit card.

Timeline from application to first use

The account is active immediately after both people sign the paperwork in the branch. You can begin making deposits and transfers the same day. However, debit cards typically take 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail — one card for each owner.

If you need to withdraw money before the debit cards arrive, you can use the teller at the branch or set up online transfers. You can also request a temporary card at the branch, though not all locations offer this — ask when you open the account.

Checks can take 5 to 7 business days to arrive after you order them. If you need checks immediately, some branches can print temporary checks on the spot, but this is not may provide at every location.

What happens if one owner wants to close the account

Either owner can close a joint account without the permission of the other owner. Bank of America will not require both signatures or notify the other owner before closing. If one person closes the account, any remaining balance will be paid out to whoever initiated the closure, and the other owner loses access.

This is a real risk in joint accounts. If you are opening an account with someone you do not fully trust, understand that they can empty or close the account at any time. Some couples and business partners use separate accounts for this reason, or they keep the bulk of their money in individual accounts and use the joint account only for shared expenses.

If the account is closed and you believe money was taken without your consent, you can file a dispute with Bank of America, but the bank's position is that both owners have equal rights to the full balance. The dispute may not result in recovery of the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we open a joint account if we are not married?

Yes. Bank of America does not require marriage or any legal relationship to open a joint account. Unmarried couples, business partners, family members, and friends can all open joint accounts together. Both people simply need to appear in person with ID.

What if one person has been denied a bank account before?

A past denial will show up on ChexSystems and may cause Bank of America to deny the joint account. However, denials typically fall off the report after five years. If the denial is older than that, it should not affect your application. Call your local branch before visiting to ask whether they will review your specific situation.

Can we set up the account so one person needs permission to withdraw money?

No. Bank of America joint accounts give both owners full, equal access. Either person can withdraw, transfer, or close the account without the other's consent. If you need to restrict access, you would need to use a different structure, such as a power of attorney or a trust, which are not banking products.

What if one owner dies?

If the account is set up as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, the surviving owner automatically owns the entire account and can continue using it. If it is set up as tenants in common, the deceased owner's share goes to their estate. In either case, notify Bank of America of the death as soon as possible — they will ask for a death certificate and may freeze the account temporarily.

Do we each get our own debit card?

Yes. Bank of America issues one debit card to each owner. Both cards draw from the same account balance, and both owners can see all transactions online. The cards arrive separately by mail within 7 to 10 business days.