You cannot add someone to an existing American Express savings account, but you can open a joint account from the start
American Express Bank does not allow you to add a second person to a savings account after it has been opened. If you want another person to have access to the account and its funds, you will need to close the existing account and open a new joint savings account together. Both account holders must be present and verified during the opening process.
A joint account means both people own the account equally, can deposit and withdraw funds, and are responsible for any account activity. American Express treats both account holders as having full authority over the account — there is no "primary" and "secondary" owner structure.
Key Takeaways
- American Express does not add account holders to existing savings accounts; you must open a new joint account if you want shared ownership.
- Both people must complete identity verification and sign the account agreement when opening a joint account.
- Joint account holders have equal access to all funds and equal responsibility for the account.
- If you want someone to access your account without owning it, American Express does not offer power of attorney or authorized user options for savings accounts.
- Closing an existing account and opening a new joint account takes a few business days, during which your funds are transferred to the new account.
What happens when you open a joint savings account with American Express
When you and another person open a joint American Express savings account, both of you must provide personal information and pass identity verification. American Express will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and government-issued ID. The same information is required for the second account holder.
Both account holders must agree to the account terms and sign the account agreement. You cannot open a joint account by having one person sign on behalf of the other. The account is established in both names, and both people receive account access through their own login credentials once the account is active.
The funds in the account belong to both people equally under what is called joint tenancy with rights of survivorship in most states. This means if one account holder dies, the surviving account holder automatically owns the full balance. The account does not go through probate.
How to move your money from a single account to a joint account
If you currently have an American Express savings account in your name alone and want to convert it to a joint account, you will need to open a new joint account and transfer the balance. You can initiate an internal transfer through your American Express account, which typically takes one to two business days.
Once the funds arrive in the new joint account, you can close the old account. American Express will not automatically close it, so you must request closure to avoid any confusion about which account is active. You can close the account through your online banking portal or by calling American Express Bank customer service.
If your old account has pending transactions or scheduled transfers, cancel those before closing. Any automatic deposits or bill payments linked to the old account will need to be updated to the new joint account number.
What you need from the other person before opening a joint account
Before you can open a joint account with someone, gather the following information about them: their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card). American Express will verify this information directly with the person during the account opening process.
The other person must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. American Express requires this for all account holders. If the person is not a U.S. citizen, they will need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number.
Both people should have access to email and a phone number during account opening, as American Express will send verification codes and account confirmation to both account holders.
Why American Express does not offer authorized user or power of attorney options for savings accounts
American Express offers authorized user access on credit cards, but savings accounts work differently. A savings account is a deposit account where you hold money, not a credit product. Federal banking regulations treat deposit accounts more strictly than credit accounts regarding who can access funds.
If you need someone to manage your account without owning it — for example, an adult child managing finances for an aging parent — a joint account is the only option American Express offers. The alternative is to set up a power of attorney through your state's legal system, which allows someone to act on your behalf for financial matters, but this is a separate legal document that American Express would need to see and verify before honoring it.
What happens if one account holder wants to leave the joint account
If one person wants to remove themselves from a joint account, American Express requires that person to close the account. The account cannot be converted back to a single-owner account. Both account holders must agree to the closure, or the person leaving must contact American Express directly to request it.
When a joint account is closed, the remaining balance is paid out. The two people must decide how to split the funds before closure. If they cannot agree, American Express will not close the account until the dispute is resolved. The remaining account holder can then open a new single-owner savings account if they want to continue saving with American Express.
State laws that affect joint account ownership
The way a joint account works depends partly on which state you live in. Most states recognize joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, meaning the surviving account holder inherits the full balance if one person dies. Some states have different rules about what happens to the account after death.
A few states recognize tenancy in common, where each person's share of the account goes to their estate rather than automatically to the other person. When you open a joint account with American Express, ask which ownership structure applies in your state, or review the account agreement, which will specify this.
If you are opening a joint account with someone and you live in different states, American Express will explore the rules of the state where the account is opened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add my spouse to my American Express savings account without closing it?
No. American Express does not add account holders to existing accounts. You will need to close your current account and open a new joint savings account with your spouse. The transfer of funds takes one to two business days.
What if I want my child to access my account but not own it?
American Express does not offer this option for savings accounts. Your only choice is to open a joint account, which gives your child equal ownership and full access. Alternatively, you could set up a power of attorney through your state, though American Express would need to verify it.
Do both people need to be present to open a joint account?
Both people must complete identity verification and sign the account agreement, but this can happen remotely through American Express's online process. You do not need to be in the same physical location, but both people must actively participate in the account opening.
What happens to the joint account if one person dies?
In most states, the surviving account holder automatically owns the full balance under rights of survivorship. The account does not go through probate. The surviving person can continue using the account or close it. Check your account agreement to confirm the ownership structure in your state.
Can I remove someone from a joint account without closing it?
No. American Express requires the account to be closed if either person wants to leave. The remaining balance must be distributed, and the remaining person can open a new single-owner account if needed.