You cannot open a bank account online in someone else's name without their presence or explicit consent
Banks require the account holder to verify their identity in person or through a video call with a bank representative. This is a federal requirement under the Know Your Customer (KYC) rule, which prevents fraud and money laundering. Even if you have power of attorney or are a legal guardian, you cannot straightforward create an account and hand it over—the person whose name is on the account must be the one to authorize it.
What you can do depends on your relationship to the person and whether they are able to participate in the process themselves. A parent can open an account for a minor child, but the parent must be present or the child must be present during verification. An adult cannot open an account for another adult without that adult's direct involvement, even in cases of guardianship or power of attorney.
Key Takeaways
- Banks require the person whose name is on the account to verify their own identity, either in person or by video call, as a federal requirement.
- Parents can open accounts for minor children, but the parent must be present during the account setup process.
- If you have power of attorney, you can manage an existing account but cannot create a new one in someone else's name without their participation.
- For elderly or incapacitated adults, you may need to work with the bank's guardianship or conservatorship department, which requires court documents.
- Joint accounts and authorized user accounts are alternatives that let you manage money for someone without opening an account solely in their name.
Opening an account for a minor child
If you are a parent or legal guardian opening an account for a child under 18, you will need to be present during the account opening, either in person at a branch or on a video call with the bank. The bank will verify your identity as the parent or guardian and confirm your relationship to the child. Some banks allow you to open a custodial account online if you can complete the video verification step, though many still require an in-person visit.
The child's Social Security number is required, and you will need to provide it along with proof of the child's identity (birth certificate or passport). The account will be held in the child's name, but you control it until they reach the age of majority—usually 18 or 21, depending on the state and the bank. At that point, the account transfers to the child's sole control.
What power of attorney does and does not cover
If you hold a power of attorney document for another adult, you can manage their existing bank accounts, withdraw money, pay bills, and make transfers on their behalf. You cannot, however, use that power of attorney to open a new account in their name without their knowledge or participation. The bank will require the account holder to verify their own identity during the opening process, regardless of what legal documents you hold.
A power of attorney is a tool for managing assets that already exist, not for creating new financial accounts in someone else's name. If the person you have power of attorney for is unable to participate in a video call or in-person visit due to illness or incapacity, you will need to contact the bank's special services department to discuss alternatives, which may include a conservatorship or guardianship process through the courts.
Guardianship and conservatorship accounts
If you are a court-appointed guardian or conservator for an adult who is incapacitated, you can open a bank account on their behalf, but you will need to provide the court order appointing you as guardian or conservator. The bank will require a certified copy of the court document before they will proceed. The account will be opened in the ward's name, with you listed as the guardian or conservator.
This process cannot be done entirely online. You will need to visit a branch in person or arrange a video call with a bank officer who can review the court documents and verify your identity. The bank may also require additional documentation proving the incapacity or the reason for the guardianship. Different banks have different procedures for this, so contact the bank directly before attempting to open the account.
Joint accounts and authorized user accounts as alternatives
If your goal is to help manage money for another adult, a joint account may be simpler than trying to open an account in their name alone. A joint account is opened in both names, and both account holders have equal access and control. Both people must be present or participate in the verification process, but once it is open, either person can withdraw, deposit, or transfer funds.
An authorized user account is another option: you open an account in your own name, and the other person is added as an authorized user who can access the account but cannot close it or change the terms. This is useful if you want to give someone access to funds without giving them full control. The person being added as an authorized user does not need to verify their identity themselves, though the bank may require their consent in writing.
What happens if you try to open an account without the person's consent
Opening a bank account in someone else's name without their knowledge or consent is identity theft and fraud. If you do this, you expose yourself to criminal charges, civil liability, and a lawsuit from the person whose identity was used. Banks have fraud detection systems that flag accounts opened with mismatched information, and they report suspected fraud to law enforcement.
Even if your intentions are good—for example, you want to set aside money for a family member—opening an account without their participation is illegal. The correct approach is to involve the person directly, use a joint account, or work through the legal guardianship process if they are unable to make decisions for themselves.
How to move forward if the person cannot participate
If the person you want to help open an account is unable to do so because of illness, disability, or age, your options depend on their situation. For a minor, you straightforward need to be present as the parent or guardian. For an adult who is temporarily unable to participate (hospitalized, traveling), you can wait until they are able to complete a video call with the bank, or you can open a joint account in both names.
For an adult who is permanently incapacitated and has no power of attorney in place, you will need to pursue a guardianship or conservatorship through the court system. This is a longer process—typically several weeks to several months—but it gives you legal authority to manage their finances, including opening new accounts. Contact your county courthouse or a family law attorney for guidance on how to begin this process in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account for my elderly parent if they have dementia?
Not without their participation or a court order. If your parent can participate in a video call, they can verify their identity and you can open a joint account together. If they cannot, you will need to pursue a conservatorship through the courts, which requires a judge to find them incapacitated. This process takes several weeks and requires legal documents, but it gives you authority to open accounts and manage their finances.
What if I have a power of attorney but the bank won't accept it?
Some banks have their own power of attorney forms they require you to use instead of a generic document. Contact the bank's legal department and ask what they need. If the bank still refuses, you may need to switch banks or pursue a conservatorship. Power of attorney rules vary by state, so an attorney in your state can advise whether the bank's refusal is justified.
Can I add someone to my account without them being present?
Yes, you can add an authorized user to your existing account without their presence, though the bank may require written consent from the person being added. You cannot, however, open a new account in someone else's name without their participation in the verification process.
Is a joint account the same as opening an account for someone else?
No. A joint account is opened in both names, and both people have equal rights to the money and the account. Opening an account "for someone else" means opening it in their name alone, which requires their participation. A joint account requires both people to be present or to verify their identities separately.
What documents do I need if I'm a court-appointed guardian?
You will need a certified copy of the court order appointing you as guardian or conservator. The bank will verify this document and may ask for additional proof of the person's incapacity or the reason for the guardianship. Call the bank's branch or legal department before you visit to confirm what they require.