What you need to bring and who can open one

Bank of America lets you open a joint checking account with another person in one visit to a branch, or online if both of you have existing Bank of America accounts. You will need a government-issued ID for each account holder — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If either person does not have a Bank of America account yet, that person will need to open one first, which requires the same ID plus a Social Security number or ITIN.

Both account holders must be present if you are opening in a branch. If you are opening online, both people need to log into their own Bank of America accounts and complete the process together. Bank of America does not allow one person to open a joint account on behalf of another.

You can open a joint account with a spouse, family member, business partner, or any other person. Bank of America does not restrict who can be a joint owner. Both owners have equal rights to the account — either can withdraw money, write checks, or close the account without the other's permission.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account holders must be present in a branch or logged into their own accounts online at the same time to open a joint checking account.
  • You will need a government-issued ID and Social Security number or ITIN for each person, and each person must have or open a Bank of America account first.
  • Bank of America offers several joint checking account types with different monthly fees, overdraft policies, and minimum balance requirements.
  • The account is set up with "or" ownership by default, meaning either person can access and spend all the money without permission from the other.
  • You can add a joint owner to an existing account or remove one, but both the current owner and the new owner must consent to the change.

Which Bank of America joint checking account to choose

Bank of America offers three main joint checking accounts: the Basic Checking, the Advantage Checking, and the Premium Checking. The Basic Checking has a $12 monthly fee but waives it if you keep a $500 minimum daily balance or set up direct deposit. The Advantage Checking costs $15 per month and waives the fee with a $2,000 minimum balance or direct deposit. The Premium Checking is $25 per month and requires a $10,000 minimum balance.

If you want to avoid a monthly fee entirely, the Basic Checking with direct deposit is the lowest-cost option. If you expect to maintain a higher balance anyway, the Advantage Checking offers more features like higher ATM refund limits and priority customer service. The Premium Checking is designed for people who keep substantial money in their Bank of America accounts across multiple products.

All three accounts include a debit card, online banking, mobile app access, and the ability to write checks. The differences are mainly in fees, minimum balance requirements, and perks like ATM fee refunds and customer service priority. Compare the account features on the Bank of America website or ask a banker in your branch which account fits your situation.

Opening the account in a Bank of America branch

Visit any Bank of America branch with both account holders present. Bring a government-issued ID for each person and your Social Security numbers or ITINs. Tell the banker you want to open a joint checking account and which account type you prefer. The banker will verify your identity, pull your credit and banking history, and ask about your banking habits and the account's purpose.

The banker will explain the account terms, fees, and overdraft options. You will sign documents together — typically a signature card and account agreement. Bank of America will issue a debit card to each account holder, which usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the account when ready online and by phone, even before the physical debit cards arrive.

If either account holder does not yet have a Bank of America account, that person will open one first during the same visit. This takes an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Once both individual accounts exist, the banker will then open the joint account and link it to both of your profiles.

Opening the account online

If both account holders already have Bank of America accounts, you can open a joint checking account online without visiting a branch. One person logs into their Bank of America account, goes to the "Open an Account" section, and selects "Joint Checking." The system will ask for the other account holder's information — typically their name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Bank of America will then send a find message to the other account holder's account asking them to confirm they want to be added as a joint owner. That person logs in, reviews the account terms, and approves the request. Once both people have confirmed, the joint account is created and both can access it when ready through their own logins.

The entire online process takes 10 to 15 minutes once both people are ready. Debit cards will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the account right away through online banking and transfers, even before the cards arrive.

How ownership and access work

Bank of America sets up joint accounts with "or" ownership by default. This means either account holder can withdraw money, write checks, set up bill pay, or close the account without asking the other person's permission. Both owners see all transactions and can access the full balance. There is no way to restrict one owner's access or require both signatures for withdrawals.

If you want more control over spending, you have two options: open a separate account for shared expenses and each deposit money into it, or use Bank of America's bill pay feature to set up recurring payments that both people can see and manage. Neither option gives you the legal protection of "and" ownership, where both signatures are required for large withdrawals, but Bank of America does not offer that structure for consumer accounts.

Both account holders are equally responsible for overdrafts and fees. If the account goes negative, Bank of America can pursue either owner for the debt. If one owner closes the account or removes themselves, the remaining owner becomes the sole owner and the account continues normally.

Adding or removing a joint owner later

You can add another person as a joint owner after the account is open, but both the current owner and the new owner must consent. The current owner logs into their Bank of America account, goes to the account settings, and selects "Add Joint Owner." Bank of America will ask for the new owner's information and send them a find message. The new owner must log into their own Bank of America account and approve the request. If the new owner does not yet have a Bank of America account, they will need to open one first.

Removing a joint owner is simpler. Either owner can remove the other by calling Bank of America customer service or visiting a branch with ID. The person being removed does not have to consent. Once removed, that person loses access to the account when ready, and the remaining owner becomes the sole owner.

If both owners want to remove themselves and close the account, either can initiate the closure. Bank of America will ask you to withdraw or transfer any remaining balance. The account closes within one to two business days.

Overdraft and fraud protection on joint accounts

Both account holders are responsible for overdraft fees if the account goes negative. Bank of America charges $35 per overdraft transaction, up to three times per day. You can set up overdraft protection by linking the joint account to a savings account or credit card, which transfers money automatically if the checking account would go negative. This costs nothing but requires you to set it up in advance.

If either account holder reports fraud or an unauthorized transaction, Bank of America investigates and typically refunds the money within 10 business days while the investigation is ongoing. Both owners can report fraud, and the refund goes to the joint account. If one owner disputes a transaction that the other owner made, Bank of America will not reverse it — the account is set up so both owners have equal rights to all money.

Bank of America offers free fraud monitoring and alerts through its mobile app. You can set up notifications for any transaction over a certain amount, which helps both owners stay aware of account activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a joint account if one person does not have a Social Security number?

Yes. Bank of America accepts an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) in place of a Social Security number. You will need to bring the ITIN document to the branch or provide it during the online process. Both the SSN and ITIN are used for identity verification and tax reporting purposes.

What happens to a joint account if one owner dies?

The surviving owner retains full access to the account and all money in it. Bank of America does not freeze the account or require probate. The surviving owner should notify Bank of America of the death so the bank can update its records, but the account continues to function normally. The deceased owner's estate has no claim to the money unless there is a will or court order stating otherwise.

Can I have a joint account with someone who does not live in the same state?

Yes. Bank of America operates nationwide, and both account holders can live anywhere in the United States. If you are opening in a branch, both people must be physically present, but you can schedule an appointment at any Bank of America location. If you are opening online, location does not matter at all.

Does opening a joint account affect my credit score?

Opening a checking account does not affect your credit score. Bank of America may check your banking history and credit report during the account opening process, but this is a soft inquiry and does not lower your score. The joint account itself is not reported to credit bureaus.

What if one owner wants to close the account but the other does not?

Either owner can close the account unilaterally. Bank of America will ask the closing owner to withdraw or transfer the remaining balance. Once the balance is zero, the account closes. The other owner will lose access. If there is money in the account and one owner closes it, the other owner can contact Bank of America to dispute the closure, but Bank of America will likely honor the request since both owners have equal rights.