Documents and information you'll need before you walk in
To open a joint bank account, you and the other account holder will each need a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number or tax ID. The bank will verify these details against their fraud database before the account is activated. Bring originals, not copies — most banks will not accept photocopies of ID.
Proof of address typically means a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. A driver's license counts as both ID and proof of address if your current address is printed on it. If you've moved recently and your ID hasn't been updated, bring the ID plus a separate piece of mail showing your new address.
Both account holders must be present at the bank in person for most institutions, though some online banks now allow one person to open the account and add the other remotely afterward. Call ahead to ask whether your bank requires both signatures at the same time or whether one person can complete the paperwork first.
Key Takeaways
- Both account holders need a government photo ID, proof of current address, and Social Security number or tax ID before opening the account.
- Most banks require both people to be present in person, though some online banks allow one person to open the account and add the other later.
- You will choose how the account is titled — either both names with "and" (requiring both signatures to withdraw) or both names with "or" (either person can withdraw alone).
- The bank will run a background check through ChexSystems or Early Warning Services, which can delay approval by one to three business days if there are discrepancies.
- You can fund the account immediately with a debit card, wire transfer, or check, or leave it empty and deposit money later.
How the account will be titled and what that means
When you open the account, you will decide whether it is titled as "Account Holder A and Account Holder B" or "Account Holder A or Account Holder B." This choice determines who can withdraw money without the other person's permission.
An "and" account means both names appear on the account and either person can withdraw money, but some banks require both signatures for large withdrawals or closing the account. An "or" account means either person can withdraw, transfer, or close the account without the other person's knowledge or consent. Most couples and family members choose "or" for convenience; business partners often choose "and" for oversight.
This decision is not permanent. You can contact the bank later and ask to change the titling, though the process usually requires both account holders to sign a new agreement. Ask the bank whether changing the title requires a new account or simply an amendment to the existing one.
What happens during the background check
The bank will submit your information to ChexSystems or Early Warning Services, which are databases that track banking history and fraud. The check looks for unpaid overdrafts, closed accounts with negative balances, and fraud reports filed against you. This is not a credit check — it does not affect your credit score and does not require your permission, though banks are required to tell you they are running it.
If the check comes back clean, the account opens the same day or within one business day. If there are discrepancies — a closed account you forgot about, an old overdraft, or a name mismatch — the bank will contact you to resolve it. This can add one to three business days to the process. If you know you have banking history issues, mention it when you apply so the bank can explain what they found and whether it will block the account.
A ChexSystems report is different from a credit report. You can order a free copy of your ChexSystems report once per year at annualchecksystems.com to see what the bank will see. If there are errors, you can dispute them directly with ChexSystems.
Funding the account on day one
You do not have to deposit money immediately. Many people open the account and fund it later, either by direct deposit from an employer or by transferring money from another bank. If you want to fund it right away, the bank will offer several options.
A debit card transfer is the fastest — you can use a debit card from another bank to move money into the new account in seconds. A wire transfer takes one to two business days and costs between $15 and $30 depending on the bank. A check deposit takes three to five business days to clear. Some banks also accept ACH transfers from another account you own, which take one to two business days and are usually free.
Ask whether the bank has a minimum opening deposit. Many do not, but some require $25 to $100 to activate the account. If there is a minimum, you can meet it with any of the methods above.
Fees and account features to compare before you choose
Joint accounts have the same fee structure as individual accounts at the same bank. Monthly maintenance fees range from $0 to $15 depending on the bank and account type. Some banks waive the fee if you maintain a minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or use their debit card a certain number of times per month.
Ask about overdraft protection before you open the account. This feature allows the bank to cover a transaction if your balance is too low, usually by transferring money from a linked savings account or charging an overdraft fee of $25 to $35. Overdraft protection is optional — you can decline it, and the bank will simply decline transactions that exceed your balance.
Compare ATM access, customer service hours, and whether the bank offers online bill pay. If one account holder travels frequently or lives in a different state, confirm that the bank has ATMs or branches where they live, or that they offer fee-free ATM access through a network like Allpoint or MoneyPass.
What to do if one account holder cannot be present
If the second account holder is out of state, out of the country, or unable to visit the branch, ask the bank whether they offer remote account opening. Some banks allow one person to open the account online and then send a secure link to the other person to sign electronically. Others require both people to be present at the same branch on the same day.
If remote opening is not available, you have two options: one person can open an individual account and add the other person later as an authorized user (though this is not the same as a joint account, because the original owner retains full control), or you can wait until both people can visit together. Adding someone to an existing account usually takes one to three business days and requires both signatures.
Some banks offer video verification as an alternative to in-person visits. Call the bank's main number and ask whether they have a video account opening option, which typically requires you to show your ID to a camera and sign electronically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we open a joint account if we're not married?
Yes. Banks do not require marriage or any legal relationship. Friends, family members, business partners, and unmarried couples can all open joint accounts together. The bank only needs both people's IDs and Social Security numbers.
What if one person has a ChexSystems record or bad banking history?
The bank will run a check on both account holders separately. If one person has a negative record, the bank may still open the account, but they may require a higher minimum balance or deny the account entirely depending on the severity of the history. Ask the bank upfront what their policy is for applicants with ChexSystems records.
Can we change the account title after it's open?
Yes, but it usually requires both account holders to sign a new agreement. Contact the bank and ask whether you can amend the existing account or whether you need to close it and open a new one. The process typically takes one to three business days.
What happens to the account if one person dies?
If the account is titled "and," the surviving account holder usually retains access, though the bank may freeze it temporarily while they verify the death certificate. If the account is titled "or," the surviving person has immediate access. The account does not automatically become part of the deceased person's estate — it passes directly to the surviving account holder.
Do we both need to be present to close the account later?
This depends on how the account is titled. If it is titled "and," most banks require both signatures to close it. If it is titled "or," either person can close it alone. Confirm the bank's policy when you open the account so you both know what to expect.