Yes, you can add someone to your SunTrust checking account, but the process and your options depend on whether SunTrust still exists as a separate bank in your region

SunTrust merged with BB&T in 2019 to form Truist Financial Corporation. If your account is now held at Truist, you'll work through Truist's process. If you still have an account branded as SunTrust, the steps are similar but you should confirm with your local branch which bank name appears on your statements and debit card.

Adding someone to a checking account typically means making them a joint owner or an authorized user. A joint owner has full access and legal responsibility for the account. An authorized user can withdraw money and make transactions but may have fewer legal rights. The person you want to add will need to visit a branch in person with you, bring a valid ID, and sign paperwork.

The exact requirements and forms vary slightly between branches, so calling ahead to your local SunTrust or Truist branch will save you a trip. Ask whether they can mail you the forms in advance or whether you need to come in first to discuss your options.

Key Takeaways

  • SunTrust merged with BB&T in 2019 to form Truist, so your account may now be branded as Truist depending on your location and when you opened it.
  • Adding someone requires both of you to visit a branch in person with valid ID and sign account modification forms.
  • A joint owner has full legal access and responsibility; an authorized user can transact but may have fewer rights and no liability.
  • Call your branch before visiting to confirm which forms you need and whether they can send them ahead.
  • The person being added must consent and provide their own identification—the bank will not add someone without their presence and signature.

What happens when you add a joint owner versus an authorized user

A joint owner is legally part-owner of the account. Both of you can deposit, withdraw, and close the account. Both of you are responsible for any overdrafts or fees. If one person dies, the account typically passes to the surviving owner automatically. If there is a dispute between you later, both names carry equal legal weight.

An authorized user can use the account to withdraw money and make transactions, but they do not own it. You remain the sole owner and are responsible for overdrafts and fees. An authorized user cannot close the account or change the terms. If you die, the account does not automatically pass to them. Some banks allow you to set transaction limits for authorized users, though you should ask Truist or SunTrust whether this option is available on your account type.

If you are adding a spouse or partner and plan to share finances long-term, joint ownership is usually the clearer choice. If you are adding a teenager, an adult child, or someone you want to help but keep separate from full ownership, authorized user status may fit better.

The in-person process at your branch

Both you and the person being added must go to a branch together. Bring a valid government-issued ID for each person—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The bank will not add someone without seeing their ID in person.

Tell the teller or account specialist that you want to add someone to your checking account. They will pull up your account, confirm your identity, and explain the difference between joint owner and authorized user. Ask which option fits your situation. They will then have the other person sign the necessary forms. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Some branches may ask you to fill out a form in advance or may mail forms to you before your visit. Call ahead to ask. If forms are available online, you can sometimes print and sign them before you arrive, which speeds up the process. However, the bank may still require you to sign again in person.

What information you will need to provide

The bank will need the following information about the person being added: their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and phone number. They will verify this information against their ID.

Have your account number ready. You can find it on your debit card, checks, or online banking login. If you do not have it memorized, bring your debit card or a recent statement.

If the person being added does not have a Social Security number—for example, if they are a non-citizen—ask the branch whether they can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Policies vary by bank and by state, so this is worth confirming before you visit.

Timeline and when the change takes effect

Once you sign the paperwork in the branch, the change usually takes effect within one to three business days. The new account holder will receive a debit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days, though they can often use the account online or via mobile banking before the card arrives.

If you need the change to happen faster—for example, if you are adding someone who needs when ready access—ask the branch whether they can issue a temporary card or enable online access the same day. Some branches can do this; others cannot.

During the waiting period, the person being added can still access the account through online banking or the mobile app if the bank sets that up for them at the branch. Ask the teller to confirm whether this is possible before you leave.

Removing someone from the account later

If you need to remove a joint owner or authorized user in the future, you will typically need to visit the branch again or call the bank's account services line. Removing a joint owner is more complicated than removing an authorized user because a joint owner has legal rights to the account.

To remove a joint owner, the bank may require both of you to sign paperwork, or they may allow you to remove them unilaterally depending on your state's laws and the bank's policy. Ask about this before you add someone, so you understand what happens if the relationship changes.

Removing an authorized user is usually simpler—you can often do it by phone or online, though some banks require a branch visit. Once removed, that person loses access to the account when ready.

If the person you want to add cannot visit in person

Most banks, including Truist and SunTrust, require both account holders to be present in person to add someone. If the person lives far away or cannot travel, you have limited options.

Some branches may allow a power of attorney or legal guardian to sign on behalf of the person being added, but this is rare and requires advance approval. Call your branch and explain the situation. They can tell you whether this is possible and what documents you would need.

Another option is to open a separate joint account with the person once they can visit a branch, rather than adding them to your existing account. This avoids the need to modify your current account and may be simpler if you want to keep some accounts separate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will adding someone to my account affect their credit score?

No. Adding someone as a joint owner or authorized user does not appear on their credit report and does not change their credit score. However, if the account goes into overdraft or is reported to collections, it could affect both of your credit histories.

Can I add someone online or by phone without visiting the branch?

No. SunTrust and Truist require both you and the person being added to visit a branch in person and sign paperwork. This is a security measure to prevent fraud. You cannot complete this process remotely.

What if I want to add someone but keep my savings account separate?

You can add them only to your checking account and leave your savings account in your name alone. Tell the teller which account you want to modify. They will only change the one you specify.

Can I remove a joint owner without their permission?

It depends on your state's laws and the bank's policy. Some states allow one joint owner to remove the other; others require both signatures. Call your branch and ask what your state allows. If you need to remove someone urgently due to fraud or abuse, ask about your options for freezing or closing the account instead.

What happens to the account if one joint owner dies?

The account typically passes to the surviving owner automatically, without going through probate. This is called "right of survivorship." Confirm with your branch that your account has this feature when you add the joint owner, because some account types do not include it.