Most banks let you add an account holder online, but the process and what you can actually do varies by bank

Whether you can add someone online depends on your bank and what role you want them to have. Some banks let you start the process entirely through their app or website. Others require you to go to a branch or call, even if you can view the option online. The person you're adding will usually need to verify their identity, and some banks require them to be present in person or to sign documents by mail.

The difference between adding a co-owner and adding an authorized user matters. A co-owner has equal legal rights to the account and can close it or remove you. An authorized user can use the account but cannot change ownership or close it. Most banks let you add an authorized user online more easily than a co-owner.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorized users can usually be added entirely online through your bank's app or website, while co-owners often require a branch visit or phone call to complete.
  • The person you're adding will need to provide their Social Security number and pass identity verification, which may happen online or require them to visit a branch.
  • Some banks allow you to start the process online but require the new account holder to sign documents in person or by mail before the change takes effect.
  • Check your bank's specific rules before you start, because the online option may only be available during certain hours or for certain account types.

What happens when you start the process online

When you log into your bank's app or website and look for the option to add someone, you'll typically see a form asking for their name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The bank will run a background check and verify their identity. At this point, the process splits: some banks complete everything online and the new person gets access within hours or days. Others pause and require the new person to visit a branch, sign documents, or complete a video call with a banker.

Banks that require in-person verification usually do this for co-owners, not authorized users. If you're adding a spouse or adult child as a co-owner, expect to visit a branch together or have the new owner sign paperwork and return it. If you're adding someone as an authorized user only—meaning they can make purchases and withdrawals but cannot change account settings or remove you—many banks will let you finish online without their physical presence.

Which banks let you add someone entirely online

Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all have online options to add an authorized user, though the exact steps differ. Chase lets you add an authorized user through its app and the new person can receive a debit card within days. Bank of America requires you to start online but may ask the new person to verify by phone or in a branch. Wells Fargo and Citibank have similar hybrid approaches—you can initiate online, but completion may require a call or visit.

Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Chime have streamlined the process further. Ally lets you add an authorized user entirely through its app. Charles Schwab requires a phone call to add a co-owner but allows authorized users online. Chime's process is app-based for authorized users. If you bank with a credit union, the process is almost always in-person or by phone—most credit unions do not offer a fully online option yet.

Before you start, log into your bank's website or app and search for "add account holder" or "add authorized user." If you see the option, click it and see how far you can go. The bank will tell you at each step whether you need to do anything else in person or by phone.

What the new person needs to provide

The person you're adding will need their Social Security number, date of birth, and a government-issued ID. The bank will use this to verify their identity and check for fraud. If the new person is under 18, rules vary: some banks require a parent or guardian to be the account holder, while others allow minors as authorized users only.

If the new person is not a U.S. citizen or does not have a Social Security number, the process becomes more complicated. Some banks will not add them at all. Others will accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Call your bank before you start if this applies to you.

How long it takes after you start online

If your bank completes the entire process online, the new person usually gets access within one business day. If they need to visit a branch or sign documents by mail, add one to two weeks. If they need to do a video call with a banker, that can happen within a few days of you starting the process online, but the account change does not take effect until after the call is done.

Debit cards for the new person take longer. Even if they get account access within a day, a physical card usually arrives within five to ten business days. Most banks let the new person use the account online or through a digital wallet before the card arrives.

What to do if the online option does not work

If you start the process online and get stuck—the form will not submit, the bank asks you to call, or the new person's identity will not verify—you have two options: call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch. Calling is usually faster. Have the new person's Social Security number and date of birth ready, and be prepared to answer security questions about your own account.

At a branch, bring your ID and the new person's ID. If you're adding a co-owner, both of you should go together. If you're adding an authorized user, you can usually go alone. The banker will fill out the paperwork and may ask the new person to sign it on the spot or mail it back. Ask how long it takes after that—some branches can activate the account the same day, others take a few days to process the paperwork.

Removing someone later if you need to

If you added someone as an authorized user and want to remove them, most banks let you do this online through the same menu where you added them. It usually takes effect immediately. If you added them as a co-owner, removal is harder—you may need to close the account and open a new one, or the co-owner may need to sign a form agreeing to be removed. Call your bank to ask what your options are.

Before you remove someone, check whether they have pending transactions or automatic payments linked to the account. If they do, those may fail after you remove them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to my account without them knowing?

No. Banks require the new person to verify their identity, which means they have to be involved in the process. Even if you start online, the bank will contact them to confirm they want to be added. If someone is trying to add you to an account without your knowledge, that is fraud.

What if the person I want to add does not have a Social Security number?

Some banks will accept an ITIN instead. Others will not add non-citizens at all. Call your bank and ask whether they can add someone with an ITIN before you start the process. If your bank says no, ask whether they have any alternative options.

Does adding someone to my account affect their credit score?

Adding someone as an authorized user does not affect their credit. Adding them as a co-owner may show up on their credit report depending on the bank, but it usually does not lower their score. If you are worried about this, ask your bank whether the new account holder will appear on credit reports.

Can I add someone who lives in another state or country?

Yes, but the process may take longer. If they live out of state, your bank may require them to visit a branch, do a video call, or sign documents by mail. If they live outside the U.S., some banks will not add them at all. Call your bank to ask what options are available for someone out of state or overseas.

What if the online form keeps rejecting the new person's information?

This usually means the bank's system cannot verify their identity—their name, date of birth, or Social Security number does not match what the bank has on file. Call your bank's customer service line and ask them to add the person manually. They can often do this over the phone or set up an in-person appointment at a branch.