Yes, you can add someone to your Wells Fargo account, but the process and what they can do depends on the account type

Wells Fargo lets you add another person to most checking and savings accounts. The person you add becomes an authorized user or joint account holder, depending on which option you choose. The difference matters: an authorized user can use the account but you stay the legal owner, while a joint account holder owns the account equally with you and can make major decisions like closing it.

You can start the process in person at a Wells Fargo branch, by phone, or online through your account settings. The person you're adding will need to provide identification and may need to be present, depending on which method you use. Wells Fargo does not charge a fee to add someone to an existing account.

Key Takeaways

  • An authorized user can access the account and make transactions, but you remain the sole owner and are responsible for all activity.
  • A joint account holder owns the account equally with you and can close it, change terms, or remove you without your permission.
  • You can add someone in person at a branch, by phone at 1-800-869-3557, or through Wells Fargo's online banking if your account type supports it.
  • The person you add will need a valid government-issued ID, and Wells Fargo may ask them to verify their Social Security number.
  • Joint accounts and authorized user accounts both appear on your credit report and can affect loan decisions for both people on the account.

Authorized user versus joint account holder

An authorized user is someone you give permission to use your account. They can withdraw money, make deposits, and use a debit card, but you are the account owner. You control whether they can be removed, and you are responsible for all fees and overdrafts. If the authorized user overspends or the account goes negative, the debt is yours to pay.

A joint account holder is a co-owner. Both of you have equal rights to the money and equal power over the account. Either of you can close it, change the terms, remove the other person, or withdraw all the funds without permission. If the account goes into overdraft, both of you are responsible for the debt. Joint accounts are common for spouses or long-term partners, but less common when one person is adding a family member or caregiver.

Choose authorized user if you want to give someone access without giving them control. Choose joint account holder only if you trust the person completely and want them to have equal say in how the account is managed.

How to add someone in person at a Wells Fargo branch

Visit any Wells Fargo branch with the person you want to add. Bring your account information and a valid government-issued ID for both of you. Tell the banker whether you want to add them as an authorized user or joint account holder.

The banker will verify your identity, confirm the person's identity, and collect their Social Security number. They will explain the account terms and what each person can do. You will sign paperwork, and the person you are adding will sign as well. The change usually takes effect the same day or within one business day.

If the person you are adding cannot come to the branch, call Wells Fargo at 1-800-869-3557 to ask whether they can complete the process by phone or mail. Some account types allow it; others require both people to be present.

How to add someone by phone or online

Call Wells Fargo at 1-800-869-3557 and tell the representative you want to add someone to your account. Have your account number and the other person's Social Security number ready. The representative will verify your identity and may ask you to confirm the person's full name, date of birth, and address.

Some Wells Fargo accounts allow you to add an authorized user through online banking. Log in, go to your account settings, and look for an option to add a user or cardholder. Not all account types support this, so if you do not see the option, call or visit a branch.

Whether you use the phone or online method, the process is faster than visiting a branch, but Wells Fargo may mail you confirmation documents to sign and return. Ask the representative or check your email for details about what comes next.

What information you will need to provide

You will need your account number and the account holder's identification. The person you are adding will need a valid government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Wells Fargo will also ask for their full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

If the person you are adding does not have a Social Security number, tell Wells Fargo. They may ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, or they may not be able to add them to the account. Ask the banker or phone representative what options are available in your situation.

What happens after you add someone

Once the person is added, they can use the account when ready or within one business day. If they are an authorized user, Wells Fargo will issue them a debit card in their name. If they are a joint account holder, they have the same access and the same card options as you.

Both authorized users and joint account holders appear on your account statements. Any transactions they make show up in your online banking and on your monthly statement. You can see what they spent and when.

The account will appear on both of your credit reports. If the account goes into overdraft or has missed payments, it affects both people's credit scores. If either of you opens a line of credit or applies for a loan, the lender will see this account on your credit history.

How to remove someone from your account

If you are the original account owner and the person is an authorized user, you can remove them at any time. Visit a branch, call 1-800-869-3557, or use online banking if that option is available for your account type. You do not need the authorized user's permission.

If the person is a joint account holder, removing them is more complicated. Both of you usually have to agree, or you may need to close the account and open a new one in your name alone. Call Wells Fargo to ask what your options are, because the process varies depending on your account type and state.

When you remove someone, their debit card stops working when ready. Any pending transactions they started may still go through, so check your account for a few days after removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to my account if they don't live with me?

Yes. The person does not need to live at your address. They will need to provide their own address when you add them, and Wells Fargo will use that for their records. If you are adding them by phone or online, they do not need to be present.

What if I want to add a minor to my account?

Wells Fargo allows you to add minors as authorized users on some accounts. A minor cannot be a joint account holder. You will need to bring the minor and their ID to a branch, or call to ask whether you can do it by phone. The minor's parent or legal guardian must consent.

Will adding someone to my account affect their credit score?

Yes. The account appears on their credit report, and any negative activity — overdrafts, late payments, or high balances — can lower their credit score. Positive activity, like on-time deposits and low balances, can help their score.

Can an authorized user close the account or remove me?

No. An authorized user cannot close the account, change the account terms, or remove you. Only the account owner can do those things. A joint account holder can do all of those things without your permission.

What if I want to add someone but they have a different last name?

That is not a problem. Wells Fargo will add them using their legal name, whatever it is. Bring their ID to confirm their legal name, and the banker will use that name on the account.