Yes, you can open a joint account with your girlfriend, but you both need to be present or authorized, and the bank will verify both of your identities
A joint account belongs to both of you equally. Either person can deposit money, withdraw money, or close the account without the other's permission. The bank treats both account holders as owners with full access. This is different from adding someone as an authorized user on your existing account — that person can use the account but does not own it.
To open a joint account, you and your girlfriend will both need to visit the bank in person or complete the bank's remote verification process together. You cannot open a joint account by yourself and add her later; both owners must be present at account creation or complete the bank's identity verification for both of you at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- Both account holders have equal rights to all money in a joint account, and either person can withdraw or close it without permission from the other.
- You will both need to provide government-issued ID, proof of address, and a Social Security number or tax ID at account opening.
- Joint accounts are held as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship" in most states, meaning the surviving account holder owns all remaining funds if one person dies.
- If you separate, the account remains joint until you both agree to close it or a court orders it frozen; one person cannot unilaterally remove the other.
What documents you both need to bring
Each of you will need a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The bank will scan or photograph both IDs to verify your identities. You will also need proof of your current address, which can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Some banks accept a government notice or insurance document instead.
You will each need to provide your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The bank uses this to run a background check and report account activity to the IRS. If either of you does not have an SSN or ITIN, ask the bank whether it offers accounts for non-citizens; some do, though the process differs.
Bring a small amount of money to open the account — most banks require a minimum deposit of $25 to $100, though some have no minimum. Ask the bank what it requires before you go.
How joint ownership works and what it means for your money
In a joint account, both of you own 100% of the money. This is not a 50-50 split on paper — it means each person has the legal right to all of it. If there is $5,000 in the account, you can each withdraw $5,000 without asking the other person. This is called joint tenancy with rights of survivorship in most states, and it is the default for joint bank accounts.
If one of you dies, the surviving account holder automatically owns all remaining money in the account. It does not go through probate or your will; the bank transfers it to the survivor. This happens regardless of what your will says. If you want money to go to someone else when you die, you need to name them as a beneficiary on a separate account or change your will — the joint account will still pass to the surviving account holder.
If you separate or break up, the account remains joint. Neither of you can remove the other without both signatures or a court order. If one person empties the account, the other person has limited legal recourse unless you can prove theft or fraud. For this reason, many couples keep joint accounts only for shared expenses and maintain separate accounts for personal money.
Tax and credit reporting for joint accounts
The bank reports joint account activity to both of your credit reports and to the IRS. Interest earned on the account is split between you for tax purposes — the bank will send each of you a 1099-INT form if the account earns more than $10 in interest during the year. You will each report your share on your tax return.
A joint account does not affect your credit score directly, but late fees or overdrafts can show up on both credit reports if the bank reports them. If the account is overdrawn and goes to collections, it can damage both of your credit scores. Make sure you both understand how the account will be used and agree on spending limits to avoid surprises.
What happens if you break up or separate
If you and your girlfriend separate, the joint account remains joint unless you both close it or a court orders it frozen. You cannot unilaterally remove her from the account or prevent her from accessing the money. If one person withdraws all the funds, the other person cannot recover them through the bank — you would have to pursue a civil claim against her.
If you are going through a divorce or separation and have a joint account, ask your lawyer whether the court will freeze it or order it split. Some courts will do this as part of a separation agreement. Until that happens, both of you retain full access. For this reason, many people close joint accounts and split the balance before a separation becomes official.
Alternatives if you want to limit access or protect your money
If you want to share money for household expenses but protect your personal savings, you have other options. You can open a joint account for shared bills and keep separate accounts for personal money. You can also add your girlfriend as an authorized user on your existing account — she can use it but does not own it, and you can remove her at any time without her permission.
Some banks offer linked accounts, where you each have your own account but can transfer money between them easily. This gives you more control than a joint account while still making it simple to share money when you need to.
If you want to make sure money goes to her if you die, you can name her as a beneficiary on your account instead of making it joint. She will not have access to the money while you are alive, but it will pass to her automatically when you die, without going through probate.
How to open the account in person or online
If you open the account in person, you and your girlfriend will both go to the bank branch together. Bring both IDs, proof of address for each of you, and your Social Security numbers. The bank will verify both identities, run background checks, and have you both sign the account agreement. The account is usually active the same day or within one business day.
Some banks allow you to open a joint account online using video verification. You will each log in separately, provide your ID and proof of address, and the bank will video-call you to confirm your identity. This process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes per person. The bank will then send you a debit card and checks by mail, which can take 5 to 10 business days.
Ask the bank whether it requires both of you to be present at the same time or whether you can complete the process separately. Some banks require simultaneous verification; others allow you to do it at different times as long as both of you complete it before the account is activated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my girlfriend access the account if she is not there when I open it?
No. Both of you must be present or complete the bank's identity verification process before the account is activated. You cannot open a joint account alone and add her later. If you want her to have access without being a joint owner, you can add her as an authorized user on your own account after it is open.
What if my girlfriend does not have a Social Security number?
Some banks will open joint accounts for people with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of an SSN. Others require an SSN. Call the bank before you go and ask whether it can open an account for someone without an SSN. Credit unions and community banks are sometimes more flexible than large national banks.
Can I remove her from the account later without her permission?
No. Once the account is joint, you cannot remove her unilaterally. You can close the account entirely if you both agree, or you can withdraw your share and open a separate account. If you want to separate your finances, you will need her signature or a court order.
Will a joint account hurt my credit score?
Opening a joint account does not hurt your credit score. However, if the account is overdrawn or goes to collections, it can damage both of your credit scores. Make sure you both understand how the account will be managed and agree on spending.
What if one of us dies — who gets the money?
The surviving account holder automatically owns all the money in the account. This happens outside of probate and regardless of what a will says. If you want money to go to someone else when you die, you need to name them as a beneficiary on a separate account or update your will — the joint account will still pass to the surviving owner.