The person must agree, or you need sole ownership to remove them
If the other person is a joint owner on the account, you cannot remove them without their consent and signature. Both owners have equal legal rights to the money and the account itself. If you try to close the account or remove them without permission, they can dispute the action with the bank, and the bank will not process it.
The only exception is if you are the sole account owner and the other person is merely an authorized user—someone you gave permission to use the account but who does not legally own it. In that case, you can remove them unilaterally by contacting your bank.
Before you take any action, confirm with your bank whether the other person is a joint owner or an authorized user. Call the number on your statement or visit a branch in person. This distinction determines what you can do next.
Key Takeaways
- Joint owners have equal rights to the account and cannot be removed without their written consent; authorized users can be removed by the account owner alone.
- You must contact your bank directly—by phone, in person, or online—to initiate removal; the bank will not process the change without proper verification.
- If the other person refuses to consent and is a joint owner, your options are to close the account entirely or open a new account and move your money.
- Removing someone does not affect their access to money they have already withdrawn or accounts they own separately.
- Some banks require both parties to be present in person to remove a joint owner; others allow it by phone or mail with proper documentation.
How to remove an authorized user
If the other person is an authorized user, contact your bank and request removal. You can usually do this by phone, online, or in person. Have your account number ready and be prepared to verify your identity—the bank will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened the account.
The bank will remove the authorized user from the account within one to five business days. The person will lose access to the debit card, online login, and any other permissions you granted them. They will not lose access to money they have already withdrawn or to any separate accounts they own.
Some banks allow you to remove an authorized user online through your account dashboard. Log in, find the account settings or "manage users" section, and follow the prompts. If you cannot find it online, call the number on your statement and ask for the removal process.
How to remove a joint owner with their consent
If the other person agrees to be removed, contact your bank and ask what documents you both need to sign. Most banks require a written request from both parties. Some will accept a form you fill out together; others require you both to visit a branch in person.
If you are removing them in person, bring a government-issued photo ID for both of you. The bank will verify your identities, have you both sign the removal form, and process the change. This usually takes one business day if you do it in a branch, or three to five business days if you submit forms by mail.
After removal, the account becomes solely yours. The other person loses access to the account, the debit card, and online login. Money in the account stays with you; they do not receive a share of it unless you transfer it to them separately.
What to do if the joint owner refuses consent
If the other person will not agree to be removed and they are a joint owner, you have two main options: close the account or open a new account and move your money.
To close the account, contact your bank and request closure. The bank will ask what to do with the remaining balance. You can request a check, a transfer to another account you own, or a split between two accounts if you and the joint owner each have separate accounts at the bank. The bank will not release funds to only one person without the other's consent, so you may need to work out the split with the other person first.
If you want to keep banking at the same institution, open a new account in your name only. Transfer your direct deposits and automatic payments to the new account. Close the joint account once all transactions have cleared. This process takes one to two weeks.
Removing someone from a savings account versus a checking account
The process is the same for both types of accounts. Whether it is a checking, savings, or money market account, the bank will ask you to verify the relationship (joint owner or authorized user) and follow the same removal steps.
The main difference is practical: if you have automatic bill payments or direct deposits set up on a joint checking account, you will need to redirect those before you close the account or remove the person. Savings accounts typically have fewer ongoing transactions, so removal is usually simpler.
What happens to the other person's debit card and online access
Once you remove someone from the account, their debit card will stop working immediately or within one business day. They will not be able to withdraw money, make purchases, or check the balance. If they try to use the card, it will be declined.
Their online login will also be disabled. If they try to log in, they will see an error message or be locked out. They cannot regain access, and they cannot see the account balance or transaction history.
If the person has set up the account on a mobile banking app, they will be logged out the next time they open the app. The app will not let them log back in.
Removing someone from a joint account at different banks
The process varies slightly by bank, but the core steps are the same: contact the bank, verify your identity, provide written consent (or proof the other person refuses), and wait for processing.
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo typically allow removal by phone or in person. Credit unions often require both parties to visit in person. Online-only banks like Ally or Charles Schwab may have different procedures—some allow removal online, others require a phone call.
Call your specific bank's customer service number or visit a branch to learn their exact process. Do not assume another bank's procedure applies to yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove someone from a joint account without telling them?
No. If they are a joint owner, the bank will not process removal without their written consent. If they are an authorized user, you can remove them without notice, but they will discover it when their card stops working or they try to log in.
What if the joint owner is deceased?
Contact your bank with a copy of the death certificate. The bank will remove the deceased person from the account and may freeze it temporarily while they verify your authority. You may need to provide a will or court order showing you are the beneficiary or executor.
Does removing someone affect their credit score?
No. Removing someone from a bank account does not appear on credit reports. However, if the account had late payments or overdrafts reported to credit bureaus, those records remain on both people's reports.
Can I remove someone if I am not the primary account holder?
Only if you are also a joint owner. If you are an authorized user, you cannot remove anyone—only the account owner can. If you are a joint owner, you have equal authority, but most banks require the other owner's consent to remove them.
How long does it take to remove someone from a joint account?
If done in person at a branch, one business day. If done by phone or mail, three to five business days. Some banks process faster; call yours to confirm their timeline.