Yes, you can open a joint account at Bank of America through their website or mobile app, but you will need to be present together or complete the process in stages.
Bank of America allows joint account applications online, but the process depends on whether both account owners are existing customers. If you are both already Bank of America customers with online access, you can add a joint owner to a new account from your phone or computer. If one or both of you are new to the bank, one person starts the process online and the other completes their part separately, either online or in a branch.
The entire process typically takes 5 to 10 minutes if both of you are ready with the required information. The account becomes active once both owners have verified their identity and signed the required documents electronically.
Key Takeaways
- Both account owners must provide a Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid government ID during the online process.
- If both of you are existing Bank of America customers, you can complete the entire joint account setup online without visiting a branch.
- If either person is new to Bank of America, the new customer must complete their own identity verification, which can happen online or in a branch.
- You will choose account type (checking, savings, or money market) and initial deposit method during setup, and the account opens once both owners have signed electronically.
What you need before you start
Gather these items for both account owners before opening the process: a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), a Social Security number, and a date of birth. You will also need to decide on an initial deposit method — you can link an external bank account, use a debit card, or arrange a wire transfer.
Decide together which type of account you want: a checking account (for everyday spending), a savings account (for money you want to set aside), or a money market account (which typically requires a higher opening deposit but pays interest). Bank of America offers several checking and savings products with different features and fee structures, so knowing what you need beforehand speeds up the process.
The online process process when both owners are existing customers
Log into your Bank of America online banking or mobile app and select the option to open a new account. You will be asked whether you want to open the account alone or with another person. Choose the joint account option and enter the other owner's information: their name, Social Security number, date of birth, and contact information.
Bank of America will then send a find message or email to the other account owner asking them to verify and sign the process. They log into their own Bank of America account, review the account details you selected, and electronically sign the agreement. Once both signatures are in place, the account opens when ready and both owners can access it right away.
The process when one or both owners are new to Bank of America
If you are an existing customer and your co-owner is new, you start the process online as described above. When you enter their information, Bank of America will recognize they are not yet a customer and will send them a separate invitation to complete their own account setup. They can do this online through a link in the email, which takes them through identity verification and account agreement signing.
If both of you are new to Bank of America, one person begins the process online. That person will need to complete their own identity verification first, which involves answering security questions based on their credit history or uploading a photo of their ID. Once that person is verified, they can add the joint owner, who then completes the same verification process. The entire sequence typically takes 15 to 20 minutes total.
Alternatively, either new account owner can visit a Bank of America branch in person to complete the process with a banker present. This can be faster if you have questions or if the online identity verification does not go smoothly.
Funding your new joint account
During the process, you will choose how to deposit money into the account. Bank of America accepts transfers from an external bank account (which takes 1 to 3 business days), debit card deposits (when ready), or wire transfers (same-day). You do not have to fund the account when ready — you can open it with a zero balance and deposit money later.
If you are transferring money from another bank, have that bank's routing number and your account number ready. If you are using a debit card, the card must be in the name of one of the account owners. Wire transfers require the sender to provide Bank of America's wire routing number and your new account number, which you will receive once the account opens.
What happens after the account opens
Both account owners receive debit cards in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can request expedited card delivery in some cases, but standard delivery is the default. Both owners can access the account when ready through online banking or the mobile app, even before the physical cards arrive.
Both account owners have equal rights to the account: either person can withdraw money, make transfers, or close the account without the other's permission. If you want to restrict what one owner can do, you will need to speak with a banker about alternative account structures, such as a power of attorney arrangement, which requires a separate legal document.
Fees and account requirements
Bank of America's joint checking and savings accounts have the same fee structure as individual accounts. Most checking accounts have no monthly maintenance fee if you maintain a minimum balance (typically $500 to $1,500 depending on the account type) or set up direct deposit. Savings accounts usually have no monthly fee but may have limits on the number of withdrawals per month.
Review the specific account's fee schedule before you open it, as requirements vary. You can find this information on Bank of America's website or ask during the process process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we open a joint account if we are not married?
Yes. Bank of America does not require any legal relationship between joint account owners. You can open a joint account with a family member, business partner, friend, or anyone else. Both owners must provide their own Social Security number and pass identity verification.
What if one owner wants to close the account?
Either owner can close a joint account without permission from the other. If you want to prevent this, you will need a different account structure, such as a power of attorney or a formal agreement outside the bank. Bank of America cannot enforce restrictions between joint owners.
Do we both have to be present to open the account?
No. One person can start the process online, and the other can complete their part separately, either online or in a branch. You do not need to be in the same location or explore at the same time.
How long does it take for the account to be fully set up?
The online process takes 5 to 10 minutes, and the account opens when ready once both owners have signed electronically. Debit cards arrive in 7 to 10 business days. You can use the account through online banking or the app before the physical cards arrive.
Can we change the account type after we open it?
You cannot convert an existing account to a different type, but you can open a second account and transfer the money. For example, if you opened a checking account but want a savings account instead, you would open a new savings account and move the funds over.