Yes, you can open a joint bank account online, but both account holders must be present and verified
Most banks now let you start a joint account through their website or mobile app without visiting a branch. However, "online" does not mean you can do it alone. Both people on the account must complete identity verification—usually by uploading a government ID and sometimes by video call—and both must consent to the account terms. The process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per person, and the account opens within one to three business days.
The catch is that banks verify identity differently. Some use only document upload. Others require a video call with a representative. A few still ask one or both account holders to visit a branch in person, even if you started online. Check your bank's specific requirements before you begin—calling their customer service line is faster than discovering the requirement halfway through.
Key Takeaways
- Both account holders must complete identity verification separately, usually with a government ID and sometimes a video call, before the account opens.
- Online opening typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per person and the account becomes active within one to three business days.
- Some banks require one or both people to visit a branch in person despite offering online signup, so confirm the full process before starting.
- You will need the second account holder's legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address to add them during signup.
- Joint accounts opened online have the same access rules as branch accounts—both owners can withdraw all funds, and creditors can seize the entire balance to cover either person's debt.
What information you need before you start
Gather these details for both account holders before opening the account. You will need your own legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). You will also need the same information for the second account holder.
Have your phone or computer ready for video verification if the bank requires it. Some banks ask you to take a photo of your ID during the process, so make sure the image is clear and all four corners of the ID are visible. If you are opening the account from a different state than where you live, have proof of your current address—a recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement works.
The actual steps to open online
Start on the bank's website or app and select "Open a Joint Account" or "New Account." You will enter your personal information first—name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, phone number, and email. The bank will ask what type of joint account you want (usually checking, savings, or both) and what initial deposit you plan to make.
Next comes identity verification. Upload a photo of your government ID. Some banks scan it automatically; others have a person review it. If the bank requires video verification, you will get a link to a video call with a representative. They will ask you to show your ID, confirm your address, and answer security questions. This usually takes five to ten minutes.
Then you will add the second account holder. Enter their legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address. The bank will send them a link or notification to complete their own identity verification. They must do this separately—you cannot verify them on your behalf. Once both of you finish verification, the bank reviews the process, which takes one to three business days. You will receive confirmation by email when the account is ready to use.
Which banks let you open joint accounts fully online
Large national banks vary in their online process. Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all offer online joint account opening, but each requires video verification for at least one account holder. Citibank requires both account holders to complete video calls. Regional banks like US Bank and PNC also support online opening with video verification.
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have streamlined the process further—they typically use document upload and automated verification without a video call, though they may still require one if the system flags your process. Credit unions vary widely; some offer full online opening, while others require at least one person to visit a branch or complete a phone call with a representative. Call your credit union directly to confirm.
If you are opening with a smaller regional bank or credit union, ask whether they support joint accounts online at all. Some still require both people to appear in person, even if they offer online individual accounts.
What happens if one person cannot complete verification online
If the second account holder cannot or will not complete online verification, most banks will let one person visit a branch with the second person's signed consent form. The branch representative can then complete the account setup. This takes longer—usually one to two weeks—because the bank must mail the consent form, wait for a signature, and process it manually.
Some banks will not open a joint account unless both people verify themselves, even with written consent. If that is the case and the second person cannot verify online, you have two options: open an individual account instead, or wait until both people can complete the online process together. There is no way around the bank's verification requirement.
Timeline from start to first use
If both account holders complete verification on the same day, the account usually opens within one business day. If you verify on a Friday, expect the account to be ready Monday or Tuesday. If the second person verifies days later, the timeline extends—the bank will not open the account until both verifications are complete.
Once the account opens, you can usually access it when ready through the bank's app or website. Debit cards arrive by mail within five to ten business days. If you need a card sooner, some banks offer temporary digital card numbers you can use for online purchases right away, or you can visit a branch to pick up a card in person.
What you cannot do online that you might expect to
You cannot open a joint account if one person is under 18 in most cases—banks require both account holders to be adults. You also cannot open a joint account in someone else's name without them present and verifying their identity themselves. If you are trying to add a spouse, parent, or child to your account after it is already open, that is a separate process that may require a branch visit or phone call.
You cannot change the account to joint after opening it as an individual account through the same online process. You will need to contact the bank directly or visit a branch. Some banks will close the individual account and open a new joint one; others will add the second person to the existing account. The process and timeline depend on the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both people have to be present at the same time to open the account?
No. You can start the account and complete your verification whenever you want. The second person can verify their identity hours or days later. The bank will not open the account until both of you finish, but you do not have to do it simultaneously.
What if the second person does not have a Social Security number?
Banks require a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for joint accounts. If the second person has neither, contact the bank directly—some have alternative processes, but most will not open the account without one of these numbers.
Can I open a joint account online if we live in different states?
Yes. Banks do not restrict joint accounts based on where the account holders live. You will both need to verify your current addresses, and the bank will ask which state the account is based in (usually where the primary account holder lives). The process is the same as opening with someone in your state.
What if the bank rejects my identity verification?
The bank will tell you why—usually a blurry ID photo, mismatched information, or a flag in their fraud system. You can resubmit your ID or call customer service to resolve it. If the issue is with the second person's verification, they will receive the same message and can resubmit or call. This usually adds two to five business days to the timeline.
Can I change who is on the joint account after it opens?
You cannot remove someone from a joint account online. Both account holders must agree to close it, or you can open a new individual account and transfer the funds. Adding a third person to make it a three-way joint account is possible at some banks but usually requires a branch visit or phone call, not the online process.