Yes, but the process depends on how their name is on the account
You can remove someone from a bank account, but what you can actually do depends on whether they are a joint owner or an authorized user. A joint owner has equal legal rights to the account — they can withdraw money, close it, or change it without your permission. An authorized user can access the account and move money, but the account legally belongs to you alone. Removing an authorized user is straightforward. Removing a joint owner is harder and sometimes impossible without their cooperation.
Before you start, call your bank and ask which category the person falls into. You will need this answer to know what your actual options are.
Key Takeaways
- Authorized users can be removed by the account owner alone, usually by calling the bank or visiting in person with an ID.
- Joint owners have equal legal rights to the account, and most banks require both people to agree before removing one.
- If a joint owner refuses to cooperate, you may need to close the account and open a new one, which means the other person loses access.
- Some banks allow you to change account type from joint to individual, but this usually requires both signatures.
- If the person is deceased, the process is different — contact your bank with a death certificate to learn what steps come next.
Removing an authorized user
An authorized user is someone you added to your account to help manage it — they might pay bills, make deposits, or check the balance. You own the account. Removing them is usually one phone call or one visit to the bank.
Call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch in person with your ID. Tell them you want to remove the authorized user and provide that person's name. Some banks will do this over the phone. Others ask you to come in or send a signed request by mail. Ask what your bank requires before you call, so you have the right documents ready.
Once the person is removed, they lose access when ready. They cannot use the debit card, write checks, or see the account online. If they have a debit card in their name, ask the bank whether you need to report it lost or whether it will straightforward stop working.
Removing a joint owner when both people agree
If the joint owner is willing to cooperate, you can change the account structure. Most banks allow you to convert a joint account to an individual account, which removes the other person's legal rights.
Both of you will need to visit the bank together or sign paperwork authorizing the change. Bring both IDs. The bank will have you sign a form stating that you want to remove the joint owner and that they consent. Once this is done, the account becomes yours alone, and the other person loses access.
Some banks also allow one joint owner to remove the other by mail if the second person signs a consent form. Call ahead to ask whether your bank offers this option — it saves a trip if the other person is willing to sign and mail the form back.
Removing a joint owner who will not cooperate
If the joint owner refuses to sign paperwork or will not come to the bank, you cannot force them off the account. They have equal legal rights, and the bank cannot remove them without their consent or a court order.
Your realistic option is to close the account entirely and open a new one in your name alone. This means the joint owner loses access, but they also lose the account itself — it ceases to exist. Before you do this, move your money to the new account and make sure any automatic deposits or payments are switched over. The joint owner will discover the account is closed when they try to use it or check the balance.
If you are concerned about the joint owner's reaction or if there is a dispute over money in the account, talk to a lawyer before closing it. Some situations — like a divorce or a family conflict over shared funds — may require a court to decide who gets what.
What happens to the money when you remove someone
The money stays in the account. Removing someone does not move their funds anywhere — it only changes who can access the account going forward.
If you are removing a joint owner and closing the account, the money goes with you to the new account. If you are removing an authorized user, the money stays exactly where it is because you own the account.
The only exception is if you and the joint owner have a legal dispute over who owns what portion of the money. In that case, a court may freeze the account or order the bank to hold the funds until the dispute is resolved. This is rare, but it can happen in divorces or inheritance situations.
Removing someone who has passed away
If the joint owner or authorized user is deceased, the process is different. Bring the bank a certified copy of the death certificate. The bank will freeze the account and explain what happens next — usually the funds go through probate or are released to the estate.
If you are the surviving joint owner, you may be able to claim the account directly without probate, depending on your state and how the account was titled. Ask the bank whether the account was set up as "joint with rights of survivorship" — if it was, you can usually take over the account without court involvement. If it was not, the funds become part of the deceased person's estate.
Removing yourself from a joint account
If you want to remove yourself instead of removing the other person, the process is similar. You and the joint owner both need to agree, and you will both need to sign paperwork at the bank.
Once you are removed, you have no access to the account and no legal claim to the money in it. Make sure you have moved your share of any funds to your own account before you sign the removal paperwork. After you are off the account, you cannot reverse the decision without the other person's permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove someone from a joint account without them knowing?
No. If they are a true joint owner, the bank requires both signatures or both people present. If they are an authorized user, you can remove them without their knowledge — they will find out when they try to use the account. If you want to remove a joint owner without their cooperation, your only option is to close the account entirely.
What if the person on my account is a minor?
Removing a minor depends on whether they are a joint owner or authorized user. For an authorized user, you can remove them the same way you would remove an adult. For a joint owner, you may be able to remove them without their signature because minors cannot legally bind themselves to contracts. Call your bank to ask — the rules vary by state and by bank.
Will removing someone hurt their credit?
No. Removing someone from a bank account does not affect their credit score. Credit scores are based on borrowing and repayment history, not on bank account ownership. However, if the account had overdraft fees or other problems, removing them does not erase those issues from their banking history with that bank.
Can I remove someone if they owe me money?
Removing them from the account does not recover money they owe you. If you are trying to collect a debt, removing them from a shared account may actually make it harder because they lose access to funds that might have been used to repay you. If there is a serious debt dispute, talk to a lawyer about whether you have other legal options.
What if my bank says they cannot remove a joint owner?
Some banks have policies that require both joint owners to consent to any changes. If your bank will not remove someone without their signature, ask whether you can convert the account to individual ownership instead, or whether you can close it and open a new account. If the bank still refuses, you may need to switch banks or seek legal information.