Closing a joint account requires both account holders to agree, or one person acting alone if the other cannot be reached
A joint bank account can be closed by either account holder, but the process depends on whether you have the other person's cooperation. If both of you want to close it, the bank will usually let one of you initiate the closure and handle the paperwork. If you want to close it without the other person's consent, you will need to remove your name from the account first—which typically requires their signature—or close only your portion and leave theirs intact.
The bank itself does not care which of you asks. What matters is whether money is owed, whether checks are still outstanding, and whether the account is in good standing. A closed account cannot receive deposits or process payments, so you need to redirect any automatic deposits or bill payments before you close it.
Key Takeaways
- Either account holder can request closure, but the bank may require both signatures if the account has an outstanding balance or pending transactions.
- You must redirect automatic deposits, bill payments, and recurring transfers to another account before closing, or they will fail.
- If you want to close the account without the other person's knowledge, you cannot do so—you can only remove your name, which requires their consent or a court order.
- The bank will send a final statement showing the closing date and any remaining balance; keep this for your records.
- If the account is overdrawn or has a negative balance, the bank may freeze it or send it to collections before allowing closure.
Steps to close a joint account with both account holders present
Contact your bank by phone, in person, or through their online portal and ask to close the joint account. Have both account holders' names, the account number, and the reason for closure ready. The bank will ask whether you want the remaining balance sent to one of your individual accounts or as a check.
Before you call, make a list of every automatic payment or deposit tied to the account. This includes payroll direct deposits, Social Security, pension payments, insurance premiums, utility bills, loan payments, and subscription services. You will need to update each one with a new account number or payment method. The bank can tell you which transactions have hit the account in the past 30 to 60 days, which helps you catch ones you may have forgotten.
Once the bank has both signatures (or verbal consent if you are closing in person together), they will typically close the account within one to five business days. Some banks close it immediately if there are no pending transactions. Ask the bank for a written confirmation of the closure date and keep it with your records.
What to do if the other account holder will not cooperate
If the other person refuses to sign or cannot be reached, you cannot close the account outright. You can ask the bank to remove your name and convert it to a sole account in their name only. This requires their signature or, in some cases, a notarized request from you stating that you no longer wish to be liable for the account.
Some banks will accept a written request from one account holder to remove that person's name without the other person's signature, but this varies by bank and by state. Call your bank and ask what documentation they need. If they require the other person's signature and you cannot obtain it, your only option is a court order, which requires filing a petition in your state's civil court. This is expensive and slow, so it is worth trying the bank's standard removal process first.
Removing your name does not close the account—it leaves the other person as the sole account holder. You will no longer have access to it, and you will no longer be liable for overdrafts or fraud on that account going forward. However, you remain liable for any debt that existed before your name was removed.
Handling money in the account before closure
Decide together how to split or distribute the balance. The bank will not close the account if there is a dispute over who owns the money, so you need to agree on this before you submit the closure request. Common options are splitting the balance equally, sending it all to one person's individual account, or withdrawing it as cash.
If the account is overdrawn—meaning it has a negative balance—the bank may not allow closure until the debt is paid. One account holder can pay the full amount, or you can arrange a payment plan with the bank. Until the overdraft is resolved, the account will remain open and may accrue fees.
If there are checks still outstanding that were written against this account, wait until they clear before closing. Outstanding checks can take two to four weeks to clear. If you close the account before they clear, the checks may bounce, which triggers overdraft fees and can damage the account holder's credit. Ask the bank how long to wait, or contact the people or businesses you wrote checks to and ask them to cash them quickly.
Redirecting automatic payments and deposits
Log into each service that uses the joint account and update the payment method or deposit destination. This includes your employer's payroll system, your bank's bill pay portal, insurance companies, utility providers, loan servicers, and subscription services. Do not rely on the bank to notify these services—you must do it yourself.
For payroll, contact your HR or payroll department and provide your new account number. For government benefits like Social Security or unemployment, log into your account on the government website or call the agency directly. For bills and subscriptions, log into each company's website and update your payment method.
Make these changes at least one week before you close the account. If a payment fails because the account is closed, you may be charged a late fee or have your service interrupted. Keep a checklist of every service you have updated, and check your new account after the closure date to confirm that deposits and payments are going through correctly.
What happens after the account closes
The bank will send a final statement to both account holders showing the closing date, the final balance, and how that balance was distributed. This statement is your proof that the account is closed. Keep it for at least one year, in case a payment or deposit bounces and you need to show that the account no longer exists.
If the account was closed with a positive balance, the bank will send the money to the account holder or holders as you requested. If it was closed with a negative balance, the bank may send the debt to a collection agency or pursue legal action against the account holder who is liable for the overdraft.
After closure, neither account holder can use the account number for new transactions. However, old checks or automatic payments that reference the account number may still attempt to process. If this happens, the bank will reject them and return them to the sender. This is why it is critical to update all automatic payments before closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one person close a joint account without telling the other person?
No. Banks require either both signatures or a court order to close a joint account. You can remove your name and leave the account in the other person's name, but you cannot unilaterally close an account that belongs to both of you. If you want to end your involvement without their consent, you must go through the court system.
What if my ex-partner refuses to close the account after we break up?
You can remove your name from the account, which leaves them as the sole holder. If they refuse to sign the removal form, ask the bank whether they accept a notarized statement from you. If not, you will need a court order. In some divorce cases, the court will order the account closed as part of the settlement, so consult a family law attorney if the account holds significant money or debt.
Will closing a joint account hurt my credit?
Closing a joint account itself does not hurt your credit. However, if the account had a negative balance or was sent to collections, that will appear on your credit report. Closing the account does not erase that history. The negative mark will eventually age off your report, usually after seven years.
What if checks are still outstanding when I want to close the account?
Wait until the checks clear before closing. This typically takes two to four weeks. You can ask the bank to hold the account open for a specific period while you wait. If you close the account before outstanding checks clear, they will bounce, which costs the account holder overdraft fees and can damage their credit.
Do I need to close the account in person, or can I do it by phone?
Most banks allow closure by phone, mail, or online portal. In-person closure is fastest if both account holders can go to a branch together. By phone, the bank will verify your identity and may mail you forms to sign. By mail, you will send a signed request to the bank's address. Check your bank's website or call to ask which methods they accept.