What you need to bring and who can open a joint account
Wells Fargo lets you open a joint checking account with another person in person at a branch, by phone, or online. Both account owners must be present (in person or by phone) and provide government-issued photo ID. You'll each need a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and at least one of you must have a valid U.S. address.
Either person can be the primary account holder — the one who receives statements and manages the account online — and the other becomes an authorized user with equal access. Both of you can deposit, withdraw, and make decisions about the account. If you're opening online or by phone, Wells Fargo will verify your identity using information from your credit report and may ask security questions.
You do not need an existing Wells Fargo account to open a joint account. If one of you already banks there, that can speed up the process because Wells Fargo already has your information on file.
Key Takeaways
- Both account owners must provide photo ID and a Social Security number or ITIN, and at least one must have a U.S. address.
- You can open a joint account in person at a branch, by phone, or online without an existing Wells Fargo account.
- Either person can be the primary account holder, and both have full access to deposit, withdraw, and manage the account.
- Wells Fargo charges monthly maintenance fees on most checking accounts unless you meet balance or direct deposit requirements, so confirm the fee structure before opening.
- The account is held as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship" by default, meaning the surviving account owner inherits the balance if one dies.
Opening in person at a Wells Fargo branch
Bring both people, both photo IDs, and proof of address (a utility bill, lease, or government document dated within the last 60 days). A Wells Fargo representative will walk you through the account setup, explain the monthly fees, and ask how you want the account titled. You can open most Wells Fargo checking accounts the same day and receive a debit card within 7 to 10 business days.
If one account owner cannot come to the branch, you can still open the account with just one person present, but the second owner will need to sign documents later. Wells Fargo will mail those documents or you can sign them at the branch when you're both available. This adds a few extra days to the process.
Bring a phone number and email address for both account owners so Wells Fargo can set up online access and send statements. If you want statements mailed instead of delivered online, tell the representative at the time you open the account.
Opening by phone or online
Call Wells Fargo at 1-800-869-3557 to open a joint account by phone. Have both people on the call with their photo IDs ready. Wells Fargo will verify your identities, ask about your address and employment, and confirm the account type and fee structure. The account opens immediately, and Wells Fargo mails debit cards and checks within 7 to 10 business days.
To open online, go to wellsfargo.com and select "Open an account." You'll enter information for both account owners, including name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number or ITIN. Wells Fargo will verify your identity using your credit report and may ask security questions. The online process takes 10 to 15 minutes and the account opens the same day.
If Wells Fargo cannot verify your identity online, you may be asked to visit a branch or call to complete the account opening. This happens occasionally and does not mean you've been denied — it's a standard security step.
Monthly fees and minimum balance requirements
Wells Fargo charges a monthly maintenance fee on most checking accounts, ranging from $5 to $15 depending on the account type. You can waive the fee if you maintain a minimum daily balance (usually $500 to $1,500), set up direct deposit of at least $500 per month, or link a Wells Fargo savings account with a minimum balance.
Ask the representative or check the account details online before you open the account so you know which requirement applies to your account. If you don't meet any of them, the fee will post to your account each month. You can change your account type later if you want to switch to a different fee structure.
Wells Fargo also charges fees for overdrafts, returned deposits, and wire transfers. These are separate from the monthly maintenance fee and apply regardless of your balance or direct deposit status.
How the account is titled and what happens if one owner dies
Wells Fargo titles joint accounts as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship" by default. This means if one account owner dies, the surviving owner automatically inherits the full balance without going through probate. The account does not become part of the deceased person's estate.
If you want a different arrangement — for example, if you want the account to be split equally between your heirs if one of you dies — you can ask Wells Fargo to title it as "tenants in common" instead. This is less common and requires you to specify it when you open the account. With tenants in common, each owner's share goes to their estate, not automatically to the other owner.
Make sure both account owners understand the titling before you open the account. You can change it later, but it requires a visit to the branch or a call to Wells Fargo customer service.
Setting up online access and managing the account together
Both account owners can set up separate online logins using their own email addresses and passwords. Go to wellsfargo.com, select "Sign in," and choose "Enroll now" if you don't have an online account yet. You'll need your Social Security number or ITIN and the account number.
Once you're logged in, you can see the full account balance, transaction history, and pending deposits. You can also set up alerts for low balances, large withdrawals, or deposits. Both owners receive these alerts independently, so you can each monitor the account without sharing passwords.
If you want to give one person authority to manage the account without making them a full owner, you can set up a power of attorney instead of a joint account. This is a separate legal document and requires a visit to the branch or a conversation with a Wells Fargo representative about your options.
What to do if you need to change the account later
You can add or remove an account owner by visiting a Wells Fargo branch with both the current owner and the person being added or removed. Bring photo IDs for everyone involved. The branch representative will update the account title and send new debit cards if needed.
If you want to convert a joint account to a single-owner account, both owners must agree and visit the branch together, or one owner can request the change if the other has died. Wells Fargo will close the joint account and open a new single-owner account with the same balance.
You can also change the account type — for example, from a standard checking account to a premium account with different fees — by calling 1-800-869-3557 or visiting a branch. These changes take effect immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a joint account if one person doesn't have a Social Security number?
Yes. Wells Fargo accepts an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number. You'll need to provide the ITIN when you open the account. Both people still need government-issued photo ID.
What if one account owner wants to close the account?
Both owners must agree to close a joint account. If one owner wants to close it and the other doesn't, you'll need to visit a branch together to discuss your options. Wells Fargo can convert it to a single-owner account or split the balance into two separate accounts if both owners agree.
How long does it take to receive debit cards and checks?
Debit cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days. Checks take 10 to 14 business days. You can use the account immediately online and by phone transfer even if your cards haven't arrived yet.
Can I set up automatic payments from a joint account?
Yes. Either account owner can set up bill pay, automatic transfers, or recurring payments through online banking. Both owners can see all scheduled payments and pending transactions.
What happens to the joint account if one owner moves out of the country?
The account can stay open as long as at least one owner maintains a U.S. address. If both owners move abroad, Wells Fargo may close the account or require you to visit a branch to update your address information. Call 1-800-869-3557 to discuss your situation.