The basic process: both owners must agree, or one owner acts alone
Closing a joint bank account requires either written consent from both account holders or action by one person if the other cannot be reached or has died. The bank will not close the account on a phone call alone — you will need to visit in person with a government-issued ID, or submit a written request by mail. Most banks close the account within 5 to 10 business days after you initiate the request, though some take longer if there are pending transactions or disputes.
The timing depends on whether money is still in the account, whether checks are still outstanding, and whether both owners agree. If one owner wants to close the account and the other does not, the process becomes more complicated and may require legal action.
Key Takeaways
- Both account holders can close a joint account, but the bank may require written consent from both or proof that one owner has died or is incapacitated.
- You must visit the bank in person with ID or submit a written closure request by mail; phone requests alone will not close the account.
- All money in the account must be withdrawn or transferred before closure, and any outstanding checks must clear first.
- If one owner wants to close the account and the other refuses, you may need a court order or a lawyer to proceed.
- After closure, request written confirmation from the bank and keep it for your records in case disputes arise later.
What to do before you close: settle the money and outstanding checks
Before the bank will close the account, all funds must be removed. Decide together how to split the money, or transfer it to individual accounts. If either owner has written checks that have not yet cleared, those checks will bounce after the account closes unless you keep enough money in the account until they clear, or the bank honors them from a linked account.
Ask the bank how long they typically hold funds for pending checks. Some banks will hold an account open for 30 days after you request closure to allow checks to clear. If you are unsure whether checks are still outstanding, contact anyone you wrote checks to and confirm they have deposited them.
Set up automatic bill payments to stop before the account closes. If you have direct deposit going into this account, change it to a new account at least one pay period before closure. The same applies to any automatic withdrawals — update them to pull from a different account.
Closing with both owners present: in-person or by mail
If both account holders agree to close the account, either one can initiate the closure. Visit your bank branch with a government-issued ID and ask to speak to an account representative. Tell them you want to close the joint account and ask what they need from you. Most banks will ask you to sign a closure form and may ask both owners to sign it, depending on their policy.
If you cannot both visit the branch at the same time, one owner can submit a written request by mail. Include your account number, the names of both owners, and a statement that you are requesting closure. Sign the letter and send it to the address the bank provides for account changes. The bank will send confirmation to both owners at their addresses on file.
Some banks allow one owner to close the account without the other's signature if the account is in good standing and there are no disputes. Call your bank first to ask their specific policy before you visit.
Closing when one owner cannot be reached or has died
If one account holder has died, the surviving owner can close the account by providing a death certificate to the bank. Bring the original or a certified copy. The bank will verify the death and close the account. Any remaining funds will go to the surviving owner unless the account was set up with a payable-on-death (POD) beneficiary, in which case the funds go to that person.
If one owner is incapacitated or unreachable, you may need a power of attorney document or a court order to close the account without their signature. A power of attorney must be signed by the incapacitated person while they still have legal capacity, or it must be granted by a court. If you do not have either, you will need to hire a lawyer to petition the court for authority to close the account.
Closing when one owner refuses: legal options
If one owner wants to close the account and the other refuses, you cannot force closure through the bank alone. The bank will not close a joint account over the objection of one owner because both owners have equal rights to the money and the account.
Your options are to ask a lawyer to file a partition suit, which asks a court to divide the account and close it, or to withdraw your share of the money and move it to an individual account. A partition suit can be expensive and time-consuming, so it is usually a last resort. Before going to court, try to negotiate with the other owner in writing — email or a letter — so there is a record of your request.
If the account is tied to a business or a loan, or if there is a dispute over who owns the money, a lawyer can advise you on whether a partition suit makes sense in your situation.
What happens to the money after closure
The bank does not keep money from a closed account. All funds must be withdrawn before closure, or the bank will transfer them to a holding account and send a check to the address on file. If the account had a payable-on-death beneficiary, that person receives the funds instead of the account owners.
If you do not receive a check within 30 days of closure, contact the bank and ask where the funds were sent. Keep the account closure confirmation letter so you can prove the account was closed if questions arise later.
After closure: get written confirmation and update your records
Ask the bank for written confirmation that the account is closed. This should include the account number, the closure date, and the final balance. Keep this letter in your records. If you had automatic payments or direct deposits linked to this account, confirm that they have been updated to your new account.
Check your credit report a few weeks after closure to make sure the account shows as closed by mutual consent, not as a default or problem account. You can order a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once per year at annualcreditreport.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one person close a joint account without telling the other owner?
Legally, yes — both owners have equal authority to close a joint account. However, the other owner will find out when they try to use the account or receive a notice from the bank. This can damage trust and may lead to legal disputes if there was money in the account that the other owner expected to access.
What if there is still money in the account and we cannot agree on how to split it?
You cannot close the account until the money is resolved. Either withdraw your share and leave the account open, or ask a lawyer to file a partition suit to divide the account through the court. The bank will not decide how to split the money.
Do I need both owners' signatures to close the account?
It depends on the bank's policy. Some banks require both signatures; others allow one owner to close the account. Call your bank and ask before you visit. If one owner has died or is incapacitated, bring a death certificate or power of attorney document instead.
How long does it take to close a joint account?
Most banks close the account within 5 to 10 business days after you submit the closure request. If there are pending checks or disputes, it may take longer. Ask the bank for a specific timeline when you request closure.
What if the other owner owes money or has a judgment against them?
A creditor or court can freeze a joint account to collect a debt owed by one owner. You cannot close the account until the freeze is lifted. Contact the bank to find out who placed the freeze and what you need to do to have it removed.