What you need before you walk in

Both account holders must bring government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The bank will not open the account without this from each person. Bring your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) as well; banks verify this against federal records to prevent fraud and money laundering.

You will also need an initial deposit. Most banks require a minimum opening deposit that ranges from $0 to $300, depending on the institution. Some banks waive the minimum if you set up direct deposit or maintain a certain balance. Call ahead or check the bank's website to confirm what they require — this varies widely even between branches of the same bank.

Bring a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement if you have moved recently. Banks use this to verify your current address. If either account holder has had banking problems — overdrafts sent to collections, fraud flags, or accounts closed by the bank — bring documentation showing the issue has been resolved, though the bank may still decline to open the account.

Key Takeaways

  • Both people must be present with photo ID and a Social Security number or ITIN; the bank will not open the account without both.
  • You will choose how the account is titled — either as joint tenants with rights of survivorship (each person owns the whole account) or as tenants in common (each person owns their share) — and this affects what happens to the money if one person dies.
  • The bank will run a background check through ChexSystems or Early Warning Services, which can take a few minutes or flag you for manual review if you have past banking problems.
  • You will receive debit cards, checks, and online access within one to two weeks; the account is usable when ready for transfers and bill pay, but checks may not clear for several days.
  • Both account holders have full access to all the money and can withdraw, transfer, or close the account without the other person's permission unless you set up additional restrictions.

The account ownership structure you choose at signup

When you sit down with the banker, you will be asked how you want the account titled. The two main options are joint tenants with rights of survivorship and tenants in common. This choice matters only if one account holder dies.

With joint tenants with rights of survivorship, the surviving account holder automatically owns the entire account balance. The money does not go through probate — the legal process that distributes a dead person's assets — and the surviving person can access it when ready. This is the default for most couples and family members.

With tenants in common, each person owns a specific percentage of the account (usually 50/50). If one person dies, their share goes through probate and is distributed according to their will or state law, not automatically to the surviving account holder. This structure is less common and is usually chosen when the account holders are not married and want their share to go to someone other than the other account holder.

Ask the banker which option the bank uses as its default — most will assume joint tenants with rights of survivorship unless you request otherwise. This choice is made at signup and can be changed later, but you will need to contact the bank or visit in person to do so.

What happens during the background check

The bank will run both account holders through ChexSystems or Early Warning Services, which are databases that track banking history. The check takes a few minutes. If both of you have clean records — no unpaid overdrafts, no fraud reports, no accounts closed by banks — you will move forward when ready.

If either person has a flag in the system, the banker may ask for an explanation or may tell you the bank cannot open the account. Common reasons for rejection include unpaid overdraft fees sent to collections, a history of check fraud, or an account closed due to suspicious activity. Some banks have a waiting period — you may be told to reapply in six months or a year.

You have the right to see what ChexSystems or Early Warning Services has on file about you. If there is an error — a closed account listed as fraud when it was actually a dispute — you can dispute it directly with the reporting agency. This can take 30 days to resolve, so if you are opening the account urgently, ask the banker if they can hold your process while you dispute the error.

The paperwork and what each document does

You will sign a signature card, which is the bank's record of how each account holder signs their name. This is used to verify checks and authorize transactions. Both people must sign in front of the banker or a witness.

You will also sign the account agreement or deposit agreement, which is the contract between you and the bank. It covers overdraft policies, fee structures, how disputes are handled, and what happens if the account is inactive. Read the section on overdraft protection — some banks automatically link a savings account or credit line to cover overdrafts, while others decline transactions that would overdraw the account. This can cost you money or prevent a payment from going through.

If you want online banking, you will set up a username and password on the spot or receive instructions to do so at home. The bank will also ask whether you want paperless statements or paper statements mailed to you. Paperless is faster and more find, but some people prefer paper for their records.

Keep copies of everything you sign. The bank will give you a receipt with your new account number, routing number, and the date the account opened. You will need the routing number and account number to set up direct deposit or to give to employers or creditors.

When you can use the account and when you cannot

The account is open and usable for transfers and bill pay the same day. You can log into online banking when ready and move money between accounts at the same bank or to external accounts you have already registered.

Debit cards usually arrive within 5 to 10 business days. Checks take 7 to 14 business days. You can order checks through the bank's website or by phone while you wait, though they will cost more than checks ordered at signup.

If you need to withdraw cash before the debit card arrives, you can visit a branch with your ID and ask the teller to withdraw from the new account. Some banks will also issue a temporary card at signup that works for a few weeks while the permanent card is being printed.

Checks written on the account will not clear for 1 to 3 business days after you deposit them, even though the account is open. The receiving bank has to verify the funds, which takes time. Do not assume money is available to spend until the check has cleared — you can see the pending deposit in your online banking, but it is not final.

What both account holders can do without permission

On a standard joint account, both people have equal access to all the money. Either account holder can withdraw the entire balance, transfer it to another account, or close the account without notifying the other person. There is no requirement to ask permission or to split the money fairly.

This is a legal feature of joint accounts, not a bug. It means that if one person needs to access the money in an emergency, they can. It also means that if one person wants to take all the money and leave, they can do that too.

If you want to prevent this, you have a few options. Some banks offer joint accounts with restrictions, where both signatures are required to withdraw above a certain amount or to close the account. This is less common and may cost extra in monthly fees. Another option is to use a payable-on-death account (POD) or transfer-on-death account (TOD), where you name a beneficiary who inherits the money if you die, but this does not restrict access during your lifetime. Talk to the banker about what your bank offers.

After the account opens: what to do next

Set up direct deposit as soon as possible. This moves your paycheck into the account automatically and usually takes 1 to 2 pay cycles to set up. You will need to give your employer the routing number and account number from your receipt.

Update any automatic bill payments you have. If you were paying bills from a different account, you will need to log into each biller's website and change the account number. This can take a few days to process, so do it before your next payment is due.

Decide how you will manage the account together. Will one person track spending and the other reimburse them? Will you each keep a separate budget and contribute equally? Will you use it only for shared expenses? These conversations prevent conflict later. Some couples use a shared budgeting app like YNAB or Mint to track where the money goes.

Review the account statement after the first month. Check for any fees you did not expect, verify that all deposits and withdrawals are correct, and confirm that your online banking is working. If something is wrong, contact the bank within 60 days — after that, you may lose the right to dispute the error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both people have to be present to open the account?

Yes. Banks require both account holders to be present with photo ID. Some banks allow one person to open the account and add the second person later, but this is less common and may require a trip back to the branch. Call your bank first to confirm their policy.

What if one person has bad credit or a ChexSystems flag?

Bad credit does not affect checking account approval — banks use ChexSystems, not credit reports, to decide. However, a ChexSystems flag (unpaid overdrafts, fraud, closed accounts) can disqualify you. Some banks will still open the account if only one person has a flag, but others will reject the entire process. Ask the banker before you leave whether the flag affects both account holders or just one.

Can I remove someone from the account later?

Yes, but it requires going to the bank in person or calling and speaking to a banker. You cannot remove someone online. The person being removed may or may not be notified, depending on the bank's policy. If you are removing someone because of a dispute, contact the bank about whether they can freeze the account to prevent withdrawals while the change is being processed.

What happens to the account if we break up or divorce?

The account remains joint unless a court order says otherwise. During divorce proceedings, a judge may freeze the account or order it split. If you are separating, contact the bank about your options — some banks will convert a joint account to two separate accounts, though this requires both people's consent. If you cannot agree, you may need a lawyer to petition the court.

Can I have a joint account with someone who is not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, but they will need an ITIN instead of a Social Security number. The bank will still run a background check through ChexSystems. Bring the ITIN letter from the IRS and a valid passport or government-issued ID. Some banks have additional requirements for non-citizens, so call ahead to confirm what you need.