Key Takeaways
- All account holders must have a government-issued ID and a Social Security number or ITIN; banks verify both before opening the account.
- Most banks require account holders to be at least 18, though some allow minors if a parent or guardian is also on the account.
- A negative ChexSystems report can block someone from opening or joining an account at many banks, even if they have valid ID.
- If someone cannot meet a bank's requirements for a joint account, alternatives include authorized user accounts, power of attorney, or accounts at banks with different policies.
Age requirements and minors
Most major banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank — require all account holders to be at least 18 years old. If you want to open a joint account with someone under 18, you cannot do it at these institutions.
Some regional and community banks do allow minors on joint accounts, but the minor's parent or legal guardian must also be on the account. The adult is responsible for the account and for any overdrafts or fees. The minor can use the debit card and make deposits and withdrawals, but the bank treats the adult as the primary account holder.
If you need an account for a minor and the minor's parent or guardian cannot be on it — because they have a ChexSystems issue, for example — you may be able to open a custodial account instead. A custodial account is held in the minor's name, but an adult manages it until the minor turns 18 or 21, depending on state law. The adult has signing authority but the account legally belongs to the minor. This is different from a joint account, where both people own the account equally.
Identity and Social Security number requirements
Every account holder must provide a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security number or ITIN. The bank verifies both before the account opens. If someone does not have a Social Security number, they can explore for an ITIN through the IRS, though the process takes several weeks.
If someone has no ID at all — no driver's license, passport, or state ID — most banks will not open an account for them, joint or otherwise. Some banks will accept a consular ID (an ID issued by a foreign country's embassy or consulate) if the person is not a U.S. citizen, but this varies by bank. A few banks accept other documents like a birth certificate plus a utility bill, but these are exceptions.
The ID requirement exists so the bank can verify you are who you say you are. It also protects against fraud and money laundering. If someone cannot produce an ID, the bank has no way to confirm their identity, and federal law prevents them from opening the account.
ChexSystems and banking history
ChexSystems is a database that tracks banking problems: accounts closed due to overdrafts, fraud, or suspicious activity; unpaid fees; and bounced checks. If a bank closes your account and reports it to ChexSystems, that report stays on file for five years. During that time, many banks will not let you open a new account or join an existing one.
If someone has a ChexSystems report, they cannot open a joint account at most major banks. Some credit unions and online banks have more lenient policies and may open accounts for people with ChexSystems issues, but you will need to call and ask. Even then, the person with the negative report may be able to join an account only if the other account holder has a clean banking history.
You can check your own ChexSystems report for free by visiting the ChexSystems website and requesting a disclosure. If there are errors on the report, you can dispute them. If the report is accurate, you may need to wait out the five-year period or find a bank with different policies.
Citizenship and residency status
Most banks do not require account holders to be U.S. citizens. They do require a valid ID and a Social Security number or ITIN. A permanent resident (green card holder) can open or join a joint account with either of these. A person on a valid visa can also open an account if they have an ITIN.
Some banks, particularly smaller regional banks, have their own policies about non-citizens. A few require proof of residency — a utility bill or lease in the person's name — even though federal law does not mandate this. If you are trying to open a joint account with someone who is not a U.S. citizen, call the bank first and ask what documents they need.
What to do if someone cannot meet the requirements
If the person you want to add to an account cannot meet your bank's requirements, you have several options. The first is to try a different bank. Credit unions, online banks, and smaller regional banks sometimes have different rules. Call ahead and describe the situation — for example, "My spouse has a ChexSystems report from five years ago; can they join an account?" — rather than explore and being rejected.
The second option is an authorized user account. You open the account in your name alone, and the other person becomes an authorized user. They can use the debit card, make deposits and withdrawals, and see the account balance, but they do not own the account. You remain the sole owner and are responsible for all fees and overdrafts. This works if you need someone to have access to the account but do not need them to be a legal co-owner.
The third option is power of attorney. You remain the sole account holder, but you give another person legal authority to manage the account on your behalf. This is useful if you want someone to pay bills or handle deposits while you are away or unable to do so yourself. The person with power of attorney does not own the account; you do. You can revoke the power of attorney at any time.
A fourth option, if the issue is age, is a custodial account. The minor's name is on the account, but an adult manages it. The adult has full signing authority until the minor reaches the age of majority.
What happens during the account opening process
When you explore for a joint account, the bank will ask all account holders to provide ID and a Social Security number or ITIN in person or online. The bank runs a ChexSystems check on each person. If either person has a negative report, the bank may deny the process or ask for more information.
The bank will also ask questions about the account's purpose — is it for household expenses, a business, a trust? — and may ask for additional documents depending on the answer. If the account is for a business, they may ask for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or business license. If it is for a trust, they may ask for a copy of the trust document.
Once the bank approves the process, all account holders must sign the signature card in person or electronically. Both signatures are on file so the bank can verify checks and other documents. The account opens once all signatures are collected and verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone with a criminal record open a joint account?
A criminal record alone does not disqualify someone from opening a joint account. Banks care about banking history (ChexSystems) and identity verification, not criminal history. However, if the criminal record led to a closed bank account or fraud report, that would show up in ChexSystems and could block the account.
Can I add someone to my account if they live in another country?
It depends on the bank. Most major U.S. banks require account holders to have a U.S. address and a Social Security number or ITIN. If someone lives abroad, they may not be able to join a U.S. joint account. Some banks allow it if the person has a valid U.S. address on file, even if they do not live there currently. Call your bank and ask.
What if one account holder wants to remove the other?
On a true joint account, both owners have equal rights. Either person can usually close the account or remove the other person, depending on the bank's rules. Some banks require both signatures to remove someone; others allow one person to do it unilaterally. Check your account agreement or call the bank to understand your specific rules.
Can I open a joint account if I do not have a Social Security number yet?
No. You need a Social Security number or ITIN before the bank will open the account. If you have applied for a Social Security number and are waiting for it, you can explore for an account once you receive it. If you are not may be able to access for a Social Security number, you can explore for an ITIN through the IRS, which takes several weeks.