What you need to bring and who can be on the account

Bank of America lets you open a joint account with another person — a spouse, family member, business partner, or anyone else. Both account holders must be present in person at a branch, or you can start the process online and finish it in the branch together. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and a Social Security number or tax ID.

The account can be set up so that either person can withdraw money and make decisions alone, or so that both people must agree on major moves. Bank of America calls these "OR" accounts (either person acts alone) and "AND" accounts (both must consent). Most joint accounts are OR accounts, which means either of you can empty it without the other's permission — that's the legal default unless you specifically choose otherwise.

You'll also need proof of current address for at least one account holder: a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. If you're opening the account online first, you can upload these documents through the app or website.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account holders must provide a photo ID, Social Security number, and proof of address; at least one person must be present in a branch to complete the account opening.
  • Bank of America joint accounts default to "OR" status, meaning either person can withdraw all funds without the other's permission — you can request "AND" status if both signatures are required.
  • You can start the process online through the Bank of America website or app, but you must visit a branch together to finish and fund the account.
  • The account is funded when ready once both people sign the paperwork in the branch, and debit cards typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days.

Starting online or in a branch

You have two paths: start entirely in a branch, or begin online and complete it in person. Starting online is faster if you're coordinating schedules — one person can fill out the initial form, upload IDs and address proof, and the other person can review and approve it before you both go to the branch together.

To start online, go to bankofamerica.com, click "Open an Account," and select "Joint Account." You'll enter both account holders' names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, and contact information. Upload clear photos of both IDs and the address proof document. Bank of America will review these documents — this usually takes a few hours to a day. Once approved, you'll get a message saying you're ready to complete the account in a branch.

If you prefer to do everything in the branch, both of you can walk in together with your IDs and address proof, and a banker will open the account on the spot. This takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You'll choose the account type (checking, savings, or both), decide on the OR or AND structure, and sign the paperwork together.

Choosing the account type and deposit requirements

Bank of America offers several joint account options: checking, savings, or a combination. The most common choice is a joint checking account for shared household expenses. You can also open a joint savings account if you're saving toward a goal together, or both at the same time.

Each account type has different minimum deposit requirements. A joint checking account typically requires a $100 minimum opening deposit, and a joint savings account requires $100 as well. Some promotions waive the minimum if you set up direct deposit, so ask the banker whether any current offers explore. You can fund the account with a check, debit card, or transfer from another bank account.

Bank of America also offers different checking account tiers — Basic, Advantage, and Preferred — with different monthly fees and benefits. Ask the banker which tier makes sense for how you plan to use the account. If you maintain a minimum balance (usually $500 to $1,500 depending on the tier) or set up direct deposit, the monthly fee is often waived.

What happens after you sign the paperwork

Once both of you sign the account agreement in the branch, the account is active when ready. You can start using it right away if you funded it with cash or a check. If you transferred money from another bank, that transfer typically arrives within one to three business days.

Debit cards for the joint account are ordered automatically and arrive separately for each account holder within 7 to 10 business days. You can request expedited card delivery (usually 2 to 3 business days) for a fee, or ask the banker whether you can pick up temporary cards in the branch while you wait. Both cards work on the same account, so either person can use either card to withdraw money or make purchases.

You'll also get online and mobile banking access. Both account holders can log in with their own username and password and see the full account balance and transaction history. You can set up alerts so both of you are notified when the balance drops below a certain amount or when large transactions occur.

Removing someone from a joint account later

If circumstances change and you need to remove one person from the account, you have two options: convert it to a single-name account, or close it and open a new one in one person's name.

To convert a joint account to a single-name account, both account holders must go to a branch together and sign a form requesting the change. Bank of America will ask what happens to the money in the account — it typically stays in the account and becomes the property of the remaining account holder, but you can also split the balance and move part of it to a separate account first. This process takes a few minutes in the branch.

If both people cannot or will not go to the branch together, the account cannot be changed without a court order. In that case, the simpler option is usually to close the joint account and have each person open a new individual account. Closing takes one visit to the branch or a phone call to Bank of America customer service.

Understanding liability and account ownership

In a joint account, both people own the money equally, regardless of who deposited it. This means if one person dies, the surviving account holder typically inherits the full balance (this varies slightly by state, but Bank of America follows the "right of survivorship" rule in most cases). If you want the money to go to someone else instead, you need to set up a will or beneficiary designation — ask the banker about this when you open the account.

Both account holders are also liable for overdrafts. If the account goes negative, the bank can pursue either person for the debt. If one person writes a bad check or makes an unauthorized transfer, the other person is still responsible. This is why it's important to trust the person you're opening a joint account with.

If you're concerned about one person having too much control, the "AND" account structure (requiring both signatures for withdrawals) offers some protection, but it also makes the account harder to use for everyday expenses. Most couples and families use OR accounts and rely on trust and communication instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a joint account if one person doesn't have a Social Security number?

Bank of America requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for each account holder for tax reporting and fraud prevention. If someone doesn't have either, they cannot be on the account. Non-citizens with an ITIN can open a joint account, but they'll need to provide that number instead of a Social Security number.

What if one account holder wants to close the account without the other's permission?

Either account holder can close a joint account unilaterally — Bank of America does not require both people's consent. The remaining balance is typically sent to the person who initiated the closure, though you can request it be split or sent to a specific address. If you're concerned about this, discuss it with the other person before opening the account, or consider an AND account structure.

Do both people need to be present to make deposits or withdrawals?

No. Either account holder can deposit or withdraw money at any time without the other person present. You can use the debit card, visit an ATM, go to a branch, or transfer money online. The only exception is if you set up an AND account, which requires both signatures for certain transactions — ask the banker which transactions need both signatures.

How long does it take to open a joint account?

If you start online and both people are ready to go to the branch, the whole process takes about one week: a few hours to a day for Bank of America to review your documents online, then 20 to 30 minutes in the branch to sign and fund the account. If you do everything in the branch in one visit, it takes about 30 minutes total.

Can I add someone to an existing individual account instead of opening a new joint account?

Yes. If you already have a Bank of America account in your name, you can convert it to a joint account by going to a branch with the other person and their ID. They'll sign a form, and the account becomes joint when ready. The existing balance stays in the account and becomes jointly owned.