The basic steps to open a joint account
To open a joint bank account, both account holders visit a bank or credit union together with government-issued ID, provide Social Security numbers, and sign the account agreement. The bank runs a background check on both people, funds the account with an opening deposit (usually $25 to $100), and issues debit cards and checks. The whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes in person, or 30 to 45 minutes online if the bank allows remote account opening for joint accounts.
You do not need to be married, related, or in any particular legal relationship to open a joint account. Banks treat joint accounts the same way regardless of who the account holders are. What matters is that both people are present (or both verify their identity online), both provide their own Social Security numbers, and both sign or electronically consent to the account terms.
Some banks allow one person to open the account first and add the second person later, but this creates a delay and requires the second person to visit the branch or complete an online verification process separately. Opening together is faster and clearer about who owns what.
Key Takeaways
- Both account holders must provide government-issued ID and Social Security numbers in person or through verified online identity confirmation.
- Most banks require an opening deposit of $25 to $100 and run background checks on both people before the account is active.
- Joint accounts give both people equal access to all money in the account, regardless of who deposited it.
- You can open a joint account at any bank or credit union; you do not need to be married or related to the other person.
- The account agreement specifies what happens to the money if one account holder dies, so read it before signing.
What documents you need to bring
Both account holders need a current government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. The ID must not be expired. Bring the original, not a copy; banks will not accept photocopies or digital images for in-person account opening.
Both people also need their Social Security numbers. Bring the Social Security card itself, or a tax return, W-2, or 1099 form that shows the number. If you do not have the card or a document with the number, you can write it down from memory, but the bank will verify it against Social Security Administration records before the account opens.
Bring a blank check from an existing account if you want to fund the joint account by check, or bring a debit card if you want to fund it electronically. If you are opening the account with cash, bring the amount you want to deposit plus a small buffer in case the bank charges a fee. Some banks waive the opening deposit if you set up direct deposit or maintain a minimum balance.
How the bank verifies both people
The bank runs a background check called a ChexSystems report on both account holders. This report shows whether either person has had accounts closed for overdrafts, fraud, or other problems. If either person has a negative ChexSystems history, the bank may deny the account or require a higher opening deposit. You can request your own ChexSystems report for free at www.chexsystems.com if you want to know what the bank will see.
The bank also verifies each person's identity by checking the ID against government databases and confirming the Social Security number matches the name on the ID. This usually takes a few minutes. If there is a mismatch or if the ID is expired, the bank will ask for additional documents or refuse to open the account.
If you are opening the account online, the bank will ask you to take a photo of your ID, answer security questions based on your credit history, and sometimes verify your identity through a video call with a bank employee. The second account holder goes through the same process separately, even if you are opening together online.
What "joint" means for access and liability
A joint account gives both people full access to all the money in it. Either person can withdraw, transfer, or spend the entire balance without permission from the other. If one person deposits $5,000 and the other deposits $2,000, both people can still withdraw all $7,000. This is different from a "payable-on-death" account, where one person owns the money but it goes to a named person after death.
Both account holders are equally liable for overdrafts and fees. If the account goes negative, the bank can pursue either person for the debt. If one person writes a bad check or makes a fraudulent transfer, the other person is still responsible for covering it. This is why joint accounts work best between people who trust each other completely.
If one account holder dies, what happens to the money depends on how the account is titled. Most joint accounts are opened as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship," which means the surviving person automatically owns all the money. Some accounts are opened as "tenants in common," which means the deceased person's share goes to their estate instead. Ask the bank which option they use by default and whether you can choose.
Online account opening versus in-person
Many banks allow you to open a joint account online, but the process varies. Some banks let both people start the application together on one device, while others require each person to complete their own application separately. A few banks still require at least one person to visit a branch in person, even if the second person can verify online.
Online opening is faster — usually 10 to 20 minutes per person — but it requires both people to have a smartphone or computer with a camera for identity verification. The bank will ask you to photograph your ID, sometimes take a selfie, and answer security questions. If the verification fails, you will need to visit a branch anyway.
In-person opening is slower but more straightforward. You walk in with both IDs, sign the paperwork, and leave with a debit card the same day. Some branches can issue a temporary card immediately; others mail the card within 5 to 7 business days. If you want to use the account right away, in-person opening is more reliable.
Choosing the right bank or credit union
Joint accounts work the same way at any bank or credit union, but fees and features vary. Some banks charge monthly maintenance fees ($5 to $15) unless you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit. Others have no monthly fee. Compare the monthly fee, overdraft fee, out-of-network ATM fee, and whether the bank reimburses ATM fees at other banks.
Credit unions often have lower fees than banks and may not charge for overdrafts if you link a savings account. However, credit unions have smaller ATM networks, so if you travel or live far from a branch, a bank with a larger network may be more convenient. Check whether the bank or credit union has branches or ATMs near your home and work.
If one account holder does not have a Social Security number — for example, if they are a non-citizen — some banks will still open a joint account using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Not all banks do this, so call ahead and ask. Credit unions are sometimes more flexible on this than large national banks.
What happens if one person wants to close the account
Either account holder can close a joint account without the other person's permission. The bank will freeze the account and mail a check for the remaining balance to the address on file, or deposit it into an account the person requesting closure specifies. If both people want the money, they need to agree on how to split it before closing, or one person can withdraw their share before the other closes the account.
If one person closes the account without telling the other, the second person will discover it when their debit card stops working or a check bounces. This is one reason joint accounts require high trust. If you are concerned about this, consider a "convenience account" instead, where one person owns the account and adds the other as an authorized user — the owner can close it, but the authorized user cannot.
If the account has a negative balance when one person tries to close it, the bank will not close it until the overdraft is paid. Both account holders remain liable for the debt even after one person requests closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we open a joint account if we live in different states?
Yes, if the bank operates in both states or allows online account opening. Many national banks and credit unions let you open a joint account online without visiting a branch. However, some smaller regional banks only let you open accounts at branches in their service area, so you would need to visit a branch together or have one person open it and add the other later.
What if one person has bad credit?
Bad credit does not prevent someone from opening a joint account. Banks do not check credit scores for deposit accounts — they only check ChexSystems, which tracks overdrafts and fraud, not credit history. However, if either person has a negative ChexSystems report, the bank may deny the account or require a higher opening deposit.
Do we need to be married to open a joint account?
No. Banks do not require any legal relationship between joint account holders. You can open a joint account with a friend, family member, business partner, or anyone else. The bank only cares that both people provide valid ID and Social Security numbers.
Can we add a third person to the account later?
Most banks allow you to add a third person to an existing joint account, but the process varies. You typically need to visit a branch with the new person's ID and Social Security number, or complete an online form if the bank allows it. Some banks charge a fee to add an account holder; others do not. Call your bank to ask whether this is possible and what it costs.
What if one person dies?
If the account is set up as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship," the surviving person automatically owns all the money and can continue using the account. The bank may require a death certificate to update the account, but the money does not go to the deceased person's estate. If the account is set up as "tenants in common," the deceased person's share goes to their estate instead, and the surviving person can only access their own share.