Yes, you can open a checking account with another adult, and most banks make it straightforward
Two adults can open a joint checking account together at nearly every bank and credit union in the United States. Both of you will be listed as owners, both can deposit and withdraw money, and both have full access to the account. The account belongs to both of you equally unless you specify otherwise in writing at the time you open it.
Joint accounts are common for couples, business partners, roommates, and family members who want to share expenses or manage money together. The main thing to understand upfront is that each person on the account can access all the money in it — there is no built-in limit on what one person can withdraw without the other's permission.
Key Takeaways
- Both adults must be present at the bank or complete the application together online, and both must provide government-issued ID and a Social Security number.
- Each person on a joint account has full access to all the money and can withdraw, transfer, or close the account without the other person's consent.
- The bank will run a background check on both applicants using ChexSystems or a similar service, and a prior banking problem may prevent one or both of you from opening the account.
- You can specify how the account is owned — as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship" (the surviving owner inherits the balance) or "tenants in common" (the balance goes to the deceased person's estate).
- If one person on the account dies, the surviving owner's access depends on how the account was titled and may be frozen temporarily while the bank verifies ownership.
What both adults need to bring to open the account
Each person will need a current government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will also each need to provide your Social Security number so the bank can verify your identity and run a background check. Some banks ask for a second form of ID if your primary ID does not have your current address on it.
Bring a small initial deposit if the bank requires one. Most checking accounts have no minimum, but some banks ask for $25 to $100 to open. You can deposit a check, transfer money from another account, or deposit cash. Ask the bank ahead of time what forms of deposit they accept on opening day.
If you are opening the account in person, both adults must be present. If you are opening it online, most banks require both of you to complete the application together in real time using video verification, or to sign and return documents electronically.
How the bank will check your background
The bank will run both of your names through ChexSystems, a banking history database that tracks closed accounts, overdrafts, and fraud. If either person has a record of unpaid overdrafts, check fraud, or other banking problems, the bank may deny the application or require you to resolve the issue first.
Some banks also check your credit report, though this is less common for checking accounts than for loans. A low credit score usually does not prevent you from opening a checking account, but a history of identity theft or fraud will.
If one person is denied, ask the bank why. If it is a ChexSystems issue, you can request a copy of your report and dispute errors. You can also look for banks that specialize in second-chance accounts — they have higher fees but will work with people who have banking history problems.
How ownership and survivorship work
When you open the account, the bank will ask you to choose how the account is titled. The two most common options are joint tenants with rights of survivorship and tenants in common.
With joint tenants with rights of survivorship, if one owner dies, the surviving owner automatically inherits the full balance without going through probate. The account stays in the surviving owner's name. This is the default option at most banks and is what most couples choose.
With tenants in common, if one owner dies, their share of the account goes to their estate and is distributed according to their will or state law. The surviving owner does not automatically inherit the full balance. This option is less common but is sometimes used when the two people are not married or when they want to keep their finances partially separate even in a joint account.
Ask the bank which option is the default and which one you want before you sign the paperwork. You can usually change it later, but it is easier to get it right the first time.
What happens if one person wants to close or change the account
Either person on a joint account can close it without the other person's permission. The bank will freeze the account and issue a check or transfer the balance to a designated account. The other person will lose access immediately.
Either person can also add or remove authorized users, change the mailing address, or set up automatic transfers — again, without the other person's consent. If you are opening a joint account with someone you do not fully trust, understand that this is a risk.
If you want to protect yourself, some banks offer joint accounts with dual control, which require both signatures on large withdrawals or account changes. This is rare and usually only available for business accounts, but it is worth asking about if you are concerned.
What to do if one person has a ChexSystems problem
If one person is flagged in ChexSystems, the bank may still open the account if the other person has clean banking history. Ask the bank directly whether they will approve a joint account with one person who has a problem and one who does not.
If both people are flagged, or if the bank refuses to open a joint account because of one person's history, look for credit unions or online banks that offer second-chance checking. These accounts usually have higher monthly fees ($10 to $15) and lower balance limits, but they do not require a clean ChexSystems report.
You can also ask the person with the ChexSystems issue to work on clearing it. If the problem is unpaid overdrafts, paying the bank back may remove the record. If it is fraud, you may need to dispute it in writing. This can take weeks or months, so plan accordingly.
How taxes and liability work with a joint account
Interest earned in a joint checking account is reported to the IRS on a 1099-INT form. The bank will send this to the Social Security number of the person listed first on the account, but both people are responsible for reporting the interest on their tax returns. Decide between yourselves how to split the tax burden or report it.
If one person on the account owes money to the government, a creditor, or a court, that person's creditor may be able to freeze or seize the joint account. The other person can file a claim to recover their share, but this process is slow and expensive. If you are concerned about this, keep separate accounts instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both people have to be present when we open the account?
If you are opening in person, yes. If you are opening online, most banks require both of you to complete the application together using video verification or to sign documents electronically at the same time. A few banks allow one person to open the account and add the other person later, but this is uncommon.
Can we set up the account so one person can only withdraw with the other's permission?
Most consumer checking accounts do not offer this option. Either person can withdraw the full balance without permission. Dual-control accounts exist but are usually only for business accounts. If you need this protection, consider a savings account with withdrawal restrictions instead, or keep separate accounts.
What happens to the account if one of us dies?
If the account is titled as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, the surviving owner inherits the full balance automatically. The bank may freeze the account temporarily to verify the death certificate, but the surviving owner keeps access. If it is titled as tenants in common, the deceased person's share goes to their estate.
Can one person close the account without telling the other?
Yes. Either person can close a joint account at any time without the other's permission. The bank will freeze the account and distribute the balance. If you are opening a joint account, make sure you trust the other person completely.
What if the bank denies us because of one person's credit score?
A low credit score alone rarely prevents you from opening a checking account. If you are denied, ask the bank for the specific reason. If it is a ChexSystems issue, you can request your report and dispute errors. If the bank simply will not work with you, try a credit union or an online bank that offers second-chance checking.