The documents and information banks require before you can open
To open a joint bank account, you and the other account owner will each need to bring a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number or tax ID. The bank will verify both pieces of ID in person — they cannot process a joint account process by mail or phone alone, even if one of you is already a customer.
Most banks also ask for a second form of address verification if your ID is older than a few years or shows a different address. A recent utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement works for this. Bring the original documents, not copies — the bank employee needs to see them and will usually make a copy for their file.
You will both need to be present at the bank branch at the same time to sign the account opening paperwork. Some banks allow one person to open the account and add the other person later, but that creates a different account structure (usually with different rights to withdraw and close the account), so clarify what you actually want before you start.
Key Takeaways
- Both account owners must bring a government photo ID, proof of current address, and provide their Social Security number in person at the bank branch.
- You and the other account owner must both be present to sign the account opening documents — the bank will not process a joint account process with only one person present.
- The bank will ask how you want the account structured: whether both people can withdraw and close the account independently, or whether both signatures are required for certain actions.
- The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes once you have the documents, though the account may not be fully active for one to two business days.
What "joint" actually means at the bank
Before you walk in, you need to decide what rights each person will have. Most banks offer two structures: joint with rights of survivorship and tenants in common. The difference matters if one account owner dies or if the relationship ends.
With rights of survivorship, the surviving account owner automatically becomes the sole owner of everything in the account. With tenants in common, each person's share goes to their estate or beneficiaries, not to the other account owner. The bank will ask you to choose this when you open the account, and changing it later requires closing the account and opening a new one.
You also need to decide whether both people can withdraw money and make decisions independently, or whether both signatures are required. Most couples choose independent access — either person can withdraw, deposit, or close the account without the other's permission. Some people choose to require both signatures for large withdrawals or account closure, but this is less common and some banks do not offer it.
The information you will provide during the appointment
The bank will ask for your full legal name, date of birth, and current address for both account owners. They will also ask for your employment information (employer name and address), though this is not required to open the account — you can leave it blank if you prefer.
You will be asked whether you want online banking, a debit card, and a checkbook. These are not required to open the account, but most people add them during the appointment because it is faster than requesting them later. If you want checks, the bank will show you design options and you can order them that day, though they will arrive by mail in five to ten business days.
The bank will also ask about the account's purpose — whether it is for household expenses, a business, or something else. This is for their records and does not affect what you can do with the account, but some banks use this information to flag certain transaction patterns later.
Fees and minimum balances to confirm before you go
Different banks have different rules about whether a joint account requires a minimum balance to avoid monthly fees. Some banks waive fees if you maintain a certain balance (often $500 to $2,500), set up direct deposit, or link the account to a savings account. Others charge a monthly fee regardless.
Ask the bank about overdraft fees, out-of-network ATM fees, and whether there are fees for closing the account early. Some banks charge $25 to $50 to close an account within the first 90 days. These fees are not negotiable, but knowing them in advance means you can decide whether the account is worth opening at that bank.
The bank will also tell you about interest rates if the account is a money market or savings account, though most joint checking accounts pay no interest. Ask whether the interest rate is may provide or whether it can change, and how often.
What happens after you sign the paperwork
Once you have signed the account opening documents, the bank will give you a receipt with your new account number. You can usually start using the account when ready for deposits and transfers, though some banks put a hold on the first deposit for one to two business days.
If you ordered a debit card, it will arrive by mail in five to ten business days. If you ordered checks, they take longer — usually two to three weeks. You can use online banking and bill pay as soon as the account is active, even if your physical cards and checks have not arrived yet.
Both account owners will be able to log into online banking with their own username and password. The bank will send setup instructions to the address on file, or you can set up online access right there in the branch before you leave.
If you cannot both go to the branch at the same time
Some banks allow one person to open the account and add the other person later through a process called account authorization or adding an authorized user. This is not the same as opening a true joint account — the original account owner remains the legal owner, and the second person may have limited rights to close the account or change account settings.
If you need a true joint account but cannot both visit the branch, ask whether the bank offers video account opening. A few banks now allow both people to open a joint account over video call with a bank employee, though this is not yet standard. You would still need to provide ID and proof of address, and the bank would verify them on camera.
If the bank does not offer video opening and you cannot both visit in person, you have two options: wait until you can both go together, or open separate accounts and link them for transfers. Linked accounts are not joint accounts, but they allow you to move money between them easily.
What to bring: the complete checklist
For each account owner, bring:
- A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card)
- Proof of current address dated within the last 60 days (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement)
- Your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your employment information if you have it (employer name and address), though this is optional
If you are opening the account online or by video, the bank will tell you how to submit copies of these documents — usually through a find upload portal or by taking photos with your phone. Do not email documents to the bank unless they specifically ask you to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we open a joint account if we are not married?
Yes. Banks do not require marriage or any legal relationship to open a joint account. You can open one with a family member, friend, business partner, or anyone else. The bank will ask you to confirm that both people consent to the account being joint, but that is the only requirement.
What if one person does not have a Social Security number?
You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. If the other person does not have either, some banks will not open the account. Call the bank before you go to confirm whether they accept ITINs, because policies vary.
Do we both have to sign the paperwork?
Yes. Both account owners must sign the account opening documents in front of a bank employee. The bank needs both signatures to confirm that both people consent to the account being joint and understand the terms.
Can we change the account structure after we open it?
No. Changing from joint with rights of survivorship to tenants in common, or vice versa, requires closing the account and opening a new one. You would need to move the money out first, which takes one to two business days. Plan the account structure before you open it.
What if one account owner wants to close the account and the other does not?
If both people can withdraw and make decisions independently, either person can close the account unilaterally. The bank will distribute the balance according to the account structure (rights of survivorship or tenants in common). If you want to prevent this, you would need to require both signatures for account closure, which some banks offer but not all.