The person must consent, or you must close the account and open a new one

If the other person is a joint account holder with equal rights, you cannot remove them without their permission. Banks treat joint accounts as owned equally by both signers. Either person can withdraw all the money, make transfers, or close the account entirely. If you want them off and they refuse, your only option is to close the account, move your money to a new account in your name alone, and notify the bank that the joint account should be terminated.

If the other person is an authorized user (someone you added to make deposits or withdrawals but who is not a legal owner), you can remove them unilaterally by calling your bank or visiting a branch. The account remains yours; you are simply revoking their access. This is faster and does not require closing anything.

The distinction matters because it determines whether you need consent. Check your account paperwork or call your bank to confirm which status the person holds.

Key Takeaways

  • A joint account holder has equal legal rights and cannot be removed without their consent; closing the account is your only unilateral option.
  • An authorized user can be removed immediately by contacting your bank, because they have no ownership stake in the account.
  • When you close a joint account, notify the other person in writing and give them time to withdraw their share before closure.
  • If the person has committed fraud or theft, report it to your bank and law enforcement; the bank may freeze the account pending investigation.
  • Moving money to a new account before closing a joint account protects your funds if the other person attempts a large withdrawal.

Removing an authorized user

Call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch in person. Tell them you want to revoke access for the authorized user and provide their name. The bank will remove them from the account within one business day, though some banks do it immediately. The authorized user will no longer be able to use a debit card, make online transfers, or conduct any transactions on that account.

You do not need the authorized user's permission or signature. You are the account owner; they were granted access at your discretion and you are taking it back. The bank will not contact them to ask permission—they will simply deactivate their access. If they call the bank afterward, the bank will tell them their access has been removed by the account owner.

If the person has a debit card linked to the account, that card will stop working immediately. If they have checks, those will bounce if they try to use them after removal. There is no grace period.

Closing a joint account and opening a new one

Before you close the account, move your money to a new account in your name alone. Open the new account at the same bank or a different one—it does not matter. Transfer your portion of the balance to the new account via online transfer, wire, or in-person withdrawal. Do this before you notify the other joint holder, because once they know the account is closing, they may attempt to withdraw everything.

After your money is secure in the new account, contact your bank and tell them you want to close the joint account. Provide the account number and the reason (you can say "account closure" without detail). The bank will ask whether the other account holder has been notified. You are not legally required to notify them first, but it is practical to do so in writing—send an email or letter stating that you are closing the account on a specific date and that they should withdraw their funds by that date.

The bank will set a closure date, usually 5 to 10 business days out. On that date, any remaining balance will be split according to your bank's policy—some banks divide it equally, some require written instruction from both parties, and some hold it for a set period before returning it. Check your account agreement or ask the bank what happens to unclaimed balances.

What happens if the other person refuses to cooperate

If the joint account holder refuses to sign off on closure or disputes the split of funds, you still have the right to close the account unilaterally. The bank cannot force you to keep a joint account open. However, the bank may require written documentation of the dispute before they release any funds to either party. This can delay closure by several weeks.

If the dispute involves a significant amount of money or if the other person claims you are taking funds that belong to them, the bank may freeze the account pending resolution. You can ask the bank to release your documented deposits (paychecks, transfers from your other accounts) while holding the disputed portion. Keep records of every deposit you made and every withdrawal the other person made.

If you believe the other person has committed fraud or theft—for example, they withdrew money without your knowledge or used the account to hide assets—report it to your bank's fraud department and file a police report. The bank will investigate and may freeze the account. Do not attempt to remove money yourself during an investigation, as that can complicate the case.

Removing someone from a savings account or money market account

The same rules apply to savings accounts and money market accounts as to checking accounts. If they are a joint holder, you cannot remove them without consent or account closure. If they are an authorized user, you can remove them by calling the bank.

Money market accounts sometimes have withdrawal restrictions or penalties for closing early. Check your account agreement before you close. Some banks charge a fee if you close within a certain period (often 90 days to one year). If a fee applies, factor that into your decision about whether to close or try to negotiate with the other person.

Protecting yourself after removal

After you remove an authorized user or close a joint account, update any automatic payments or direct deposits that were tied to that account. If your paycheck was going to the joint account, change the deposit to your new account. If bills were being paid from the joint account, update those payment instructions with your new account number.

Check your credit report 30 days after closure to make sure the other person does not attempt to open new accounts in your name or take out loans using your information. You can request a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official site run by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

If the other person has your Social Security number and you are concerned about identity theft, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file. Contact any one of the three bureaus and they will notify the others. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a bank remove someone from a joint account without both people's permission?

No. Banks treat joint accounts as equally owned by both signers. Neither the bank nor one account holder can unilaterally remove the other. The only way to remove them is to close the account entirely. If you want to keep the account open, you must have their consent to change the ownership structure.

What if I added someone to my account temporarily and now they won't leave?

If they are an authorized user, remove them immediately by calling your bank. If they are a joint holder, you will need to close the account. Have a written conversation (email or text) asking them to remove themselves; if they refuse, proceed with closure and notify them in writing of the date.

Do I have to split the money equally when I close a joint account?

That depends on your bank's policy and what your account agreement says. Some banks split it equally by default. Others require both parties to agree in writing. If you and the other person disagree about who owns what portion, the bank may freeze the account until the dispute is resolved. Consult your account agreement or ask the bank directly.

What if the person on my account is my spouse and we are getting divorced?

Joint accounts are often addressed in divorce proceedings. Your divorce attorney or mediator should handle the account as part of the settlement. Do not close the account or move money without legal guidance, as that can be viewed as hiding assets. Let your lawyer advise you on the timing and process.

Can I remove someone if they committed fraud?

Report the fraud to your bank immediately and file a police report. The bank will investigate and may freeze the account. You can ask the bank to release funds you deposited while holding the disputed portion. Do not attempt to remove money yourself; let the bank and law enforcement handle it.