Yes, you can open a joint account online at most banks, but the process requires both account holders to verify their identity in real time
Most major banks and many credit unions let you start a joint account through their website or mobile app without visiting a branch. The account opens faster this way — often the same day — but both people named on the account must be present during the process, usually for a video call where the bank confirms who you are.
The exact process depends on the bank. Some banks complete everything online, including identity verification. Others require you to finish the process online but then visit a branch or use a third-party verification service to confirm your identity before the account becomes active. A few still require at least one account holder to come in person, though this is becoming less common.
The key constraint is timing: both account holders need to be available at the same time, whether that is for a video call, uploading documents, or an in-person appointment. You cannot open a joint account if one person is unavailable or unwilling to participate in real time.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks allow you to start a joint account process online, but both account holders must verify their identity before the account activates.
- Identity verification usually happens through a video call with a bank representative or through an automated system that scans your ID and takes a photo of your face.
- The entire process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few business days, depending on whether the bank verifies you when ready or reviews your documents later.
- You will need a valid government-issued ID, proof of address (usually a recent utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number for each account holder.
- Some banks require one account holder to visit a branch in person, so check your specific bank's requirements before starting the online process.
What banks need from you before opening the account
Both account holders must provide the same documents, and they must do so at the same time or in sequence during the process. The bank will ask for a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. They will also ask for proof of your current address, which is usually a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
You will need your Social Security number and date of birth. Some banks also ask for your employment status and annual income, though this is less common for basic checking or savings accounts. If either account holder cannot provide these documents, the process will stall until they do.
Have these documents ready before you start the process. Taking a photo of your ID or uploading a PDF of your utility bill is faster than searching for them mid-process, and it reduces the chance the bank will reject your submission because the image is blurry or incomplete.
How identity verification works online
Banks use one of two methods to verify who you are without meeting you in person. The first is a live video call with a bank employee or a third-party verification service. You will show your ID to the camera, answer questions about your identity, and sometimes sign a document on screen. This usually takes 5 to 15 minutes per person and often happens when ready after you submit your process.
The second method is automated: you upload a photo of your ID and take a selfie using your phone or computer. The bank's software compares your face to the ID photo and checks whether the ID is valid and current. This process is faster — often when ready — but some banks flag applications for manual review if the software is uncertain, which adds a day or two to the timeline.
A few banks still use a hybrid approach: you verify yourself online, but a human employee reviews your documents before the account opens. This adds a day or two but is less common than it was five years ago.
Timeline from process to account opening
If both account holders are present and the bank uses when ready video verification, the account can open the same day you explore — sometimes within an hour. You will receive a confirmation email with your account number, and you can start using the account online or through the mobile app right away.
If the bank uses automated verification and approves you without manual review, the account also opens the same day. If the bank flags your process for manual review, it typically takes one to three business days for an employee to look at your documents and approve the account.
The slowest scenario is when the bank requires one account holder to visit a branch or use a third-party verification service in person. In that case, the account opens only after that in-person step is complete, which could be several days away if you cannot visit when ready.
What happens if you and your co-owner are in different locations
You do not have to be in the same physical location to open a joint account online. Both of you can be in different cities, states, or even countries, as long as you are both available at the same time for identity verification. If the bank uses video verification, you can each join the call from wherever you are. If the bank uses automated verification, you can each upload your documents from your own device.
The only location constraint is whether the bank operates in your state. Some banks are national and accept customers everywhere. Others are regional and only serve certain states. Check whether your bank operates in both account holders' states before you start the process.
If one account holder is outside the United States, the process becomes more complicated. Many U.S. banks cannot verify non-U.S. IDs through their automated systems and may require manual review or in-person verification. Some banks do not open accounts for non-residents at all. Contact the bank directly before explore if either account holder is not a U.S. resident.
What to do if the online process is rejected or stalls
Applications are most often rejected because the bank cannot verify your identity — the ID photo is blurry, the address does not match your ID, or the automated system flags you for manual review and then cannot reach you. If this happens, the bank will send you an email explaining what went wrong and what you need to do next.
If the rejection is about a blurry photo or missing document, you can usually resubmit when ready. If the bank needs to speak with you, they will provide a phone number or ask you to call them. Do not wait for them to call you; banks often have long hold times, and calling them directly is faster.
If the process stalls without a clear reason, log into your online banking portal and check the status. Most banks show you where the process is in the process — waiting for documents, under review, pending verification, and so on. If the status has not changed in three business days, contact the bank's customer service line and ask for an update.
Joint accounts opened online versus in person
An account opened online is legally identical to one opened in a branch. Both account holders have equal access, equal responsibility for the account balance, and equal rights to withdraw or close the account. The bank does not treat it differently based on how it was opened.
The only practical difference is speed and convenience. Opening online is faster if both account holders are available at the same time and have the required documents ready. Opening in person is sometimes necessary if the bank requires it or if one account holder cannot complete the online verification process.
Some people prefer opening in person because they can ask questions face-to-face and have a bank employee walk them through the account features. If that matters to you, you can still open the account online and then visit a branch later to ask questions or set up additional services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a joint account online if one person does not have a Social Security number?
Most U.S. banks require a Social Security number for each account holder. If one person does not have one, you may be able to use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, but this varies by bank. Contact your bank directly to ask whether they accept ITINs before you start the process.
What if one account holder cannot do a video call at the same time?
Some banks allow you to complete the process in stages: one person starts it, the other person finishes it later. However, both people must still verify their identity before the account opens, so you will need to coordinate a time when you can both complete that step. If you cannot find a time that works, opening the account online may not be possible.
Do I need to use the same bank for both account holders?
No. If one account holder already has an account at the bank, they can add the other person to a new joint account. The person without an existing account will still need to verify their identity, but the process is the same as opening any joint account online.
How long does the account number take to arrive if I open online?
If the account opens the same day, you will receive your account number when ready — usually within minutes of approval. You can use it to set up direct deposit or transfers right away. If the account takes a few days to open, you will receive the account number once it is active.
Can I change the account to a single account later if the joint owner wants out?
No. You cannot convert a joint account to a single account. If one person wants to leave, you will need to close the joint account and open a new single account, or transfer the money to an existing single account. The remaining account holder cannot keep the joint account open alone.