What adding someone to your account actually means

Bank of America lets you add another person to your checking or savings account in two different ways, and which one you choose changes what that person can do with the money. You can make them an authorized user, which means they get a debit card and can withdraw or transfer funds but cannot close the account or change its terms. Or you can make them a joint owner, which gives them full control — they can do everything you can do, including closing the account or removing you.

Most people adding a spouse or adult child choose joint ownership. Most people adding a teenager or someone with limited financial responsibility choose authorized user status. The difference matters because once someone is a joint owner, you cannot remove them without their consent in most states — you can only close the account entirely.

Both options require the other person to be present at a Bank of America branch with a valid government ID. Bank of America will not let you add someone online or by phone, even if you are both customers already.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Bank of America branch in person with the other person and their government ID to add them to your account.
  • Authorized users can use a debit card to withdraw and transfer money but cannot change account settings or close the account.
  • Joint owners have full control of the account and can only be removed if they agree, so choose this option carefully.
  • The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes at the branch, and the new person can usually use their debit card within one to three business days.
  • If you want to remove an authorized user later, you can do so by visiting the branch or calling customer service, but removing a joint owner requires their signature.

Steps to add an authorized user at the branch

Bring your ID, the other person's government ID, and your account number or debit card. Tell the banker you want to add an authorized user. They will ask for the person's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Bank of America will run a soft credit check — this does not affect either person's credit score.

The banker will explain what an authorized user can and cannot do, then have both of you sign the paperwork. You will receive a receipt. The authorized user's debit card will be ordered and usually arrives within one to three business days. Until it arrives, they cannot use the account.

If the other person is not yet a Bank of America customer, the banker can open a linked account for them at the same time, though this is not required — they only need access to the account you are adding them to.

Steps to add a joint owner at the branch

The process is nearly identical to adding an authorized user, but the paperwork is different and the banker will spend more time explaining that a joint owner has equal rights to the account. Bring both IDs and your account information. The banker will collect the same information — full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number — and run the same soft credit check.

Both of you must sign the joint account agreement. Bank of America will issue a new debit card for the joint owner, which arrives in one to three business days. The joint owner's name will appear on statements and the account will be registered in both names.

Once someone is a joint owner, removing them is not a straightforward process. In most states, you cannot remove a joint owner without their written consent. Your only unilateral option is to close the account entirely and open a new one, which means the joint owner loses access but so do you — you will need a new account number and new debit cards.

What happens to the account if one owner dies

If you are a joint owner and the other owner dies, the account automatically becomes yours alone. Bank of America will freeze the account temporarily while they verify the death, usually through an obituary or death certificate you provide. This typically takes a few days. Once verified, you regain full access and the account remains open.

If you are an authorized user and the account owner dies, you lose access when ready. The account becomes part of the owner's estate and is handled according to their will or state law. You cannot withdraw money or use the debit card after the owner's death is reported to the bank.

Removing an authorized user or joint owner

To remove an authorized user, visit any Bank of America branch with your ID and account information, or call the number on the back of your debit card. The banker or phone representative will remove them from the account. The authorized user's debit card will stop working within 24 hours. You do not need the authorized user's permission or presence.

Removing a joint owner is much harder. In most states, you cannot do it without their written consent. If the joint owner agrees, you can both visit the branch together and sign paperwork to remove them. If they do not agree, your only option is to close the account and open a new one. Some states have different rules — ask the banker about your state's law if you need to remove a joint owner who will not cooperate.

What the other person can and cannot do

An authorized user can withdraw cash from any ATM using their debit card, make purchases with the debit card online or in stores, transfer money out of the account to another bank, and set up bill pay to send money to creditors. They cannot change the account's interest rate, add or remove other people, close the account, order new checks, change the mailing address, or dispute transactions on your behalf.

A joint owner can do everything an authorized user can do, plus everything you can do. They can close the account, change settings, add or remove other people, and make any decision about the account's future. If you and a joint owner disagree about how to use the money, Bank of America will not take sides — either of you can withdraw the entire balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone who is not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, but they must have a valid government ID and a Social Security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). Bank of America will verify this information before adding them. If they do not have either, they cannot be added to the account.

What if the other person lives in a different state?

They must still visit a Bank of America branch in person with their ID. If there is no branch near them, they can visit any Bank of America location — the bank can process the request for an account in any state. Alternatively, some people travel to visit the account owner and complete the process together at a local branch.

Will adding someone to my account affect their credit?

No. Bank of America runs a soft credit check, which does not appear on credit reports and does not lower anyone's credit score. The authorized user or joint owner will not see any change to their credit history.

Can I add someone temporarily and then remove them later?

Yes, if you add them as an authorized user. You can remove an authorized user at any time without their permission. If you add them as a joint owner, you cannot remove them without their consent in most states — you would have to close the account instead.

What if I want to add someone but do not want them to see the account balance?

Bank of America does not offer a way to hide the balance from an authorized user or joint owner. Anyone on the account can see the full transaction history and current balance. If you need to keep financial information private, adding someone to the account is not the right solution.