Bank of America Account Ownership Changes (2024)

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Making updates to your account is simple

In most cases, a brief financial center appointment is all you need

When you've experienced an event that requires updating a name or changing the account owner and/or payable on death (POD) beneficiarylayer on your account, we're here to make the process as easy as possible. Visit your local financial center with your documents and we'll make the update.

Before you schedule your financial center appointment

Tell us what type of account you have and what changes you need to make — we'll tell you what documents and information you need to bring to your appointment so we can quickly update your accounts.

Before your appointment, consider starting your Life Plan for a more personalized experience with a financial specialist. Bank of America Life Plan® can help you set and track goals and shape a plan for your future.

If you don't live near a financial center, please call us at 800-432-1000 (Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-10p.m. or Sat-Sun 8a.m-5p.m., all times ET).

A POD account is payable on your death (or the death of the last surviving co-owner) to one or more payees named in the title of the account. When the title of an account includes language like "in trust for (ITF)," "transfer on death (TOD)" or similar language, the account is treated as a POD account. You may change, add or remove the name of any payee or beneficiary anytime by visiting a financial center and providing us with proper written notice. Generally, the payee or beneficiary must survive all owners in order to receive their share of funds from a POD account.

What type of account do you have?

(Select one)

You need to update a name on your account

(make a different change)

In order to update a name on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center and bring:

A valid government-issued photo ID
One of the following: marriage certificate, divorce decree indicating name change, court order of name change or adoption certificate

If there are multiple owners on the account, all account owners will need to be present at the financial center appointment and bring valid government-issued IDs.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

Don't live near a financial center? Please contact customer service at 800-432-1000 (Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-10 p.m. or Sat-Sun 8 a.m.-5 p.m., ET) for information on how to make this change to your account.

You need to add or remove an owner on your account

(make a different change)

In order to add or remove an owner on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center.

When adding an owner, all account owners will need to be present at the appointment and bring a valid government-issued photo ID. During your appointment, you may want to ask the bank associate about the advantages of bringing the added owner's other bank relationships to Bank of America.

When removing an owner, bring a valid government-issued ID to your appointment. (In the event of a deceased account owner, you'll need to notify estate services of the deathnotify estate services of the deathnotify estate services of the death.) If all account owners are unable to be present at the appointment, make sure they're aware that they will need to visit a financial center to complete the process.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to add, remove or update a payable on death (POD) beneficiary on the account

(make a different change)

The beneficiary on a payable on death (POD) account (sometimes referred to as a Totten trust or an in trust for account) is a person (or persons) who will take ownership of the account funds upon the account owner’s death.

In order to add, remove or update a payable on death (POD) beneficiary on your Bank of America account, you can visit the Your Beneficiary self-service pages, you will need the following information about the beneficiary:

Name and country of citizenship, date of birth, and either (a) Social Security number or (b) current address.

If you’re updating a retirement account or you prefer to meet with us in person, you can schedule an appointment. You can download and complete a Bank of America IRA beneficiary change formBank of America IRA beneficiary change formBank of America IRA beneficiary change form (PDF, requires Adobe Readerlayer Adobe Readerlayer Adobe Readerlayer) prior to your appointment. (Note: It is not necessary for the beneficiary to attend the financial center appointment.)

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to update a name and add or remove an owner on your account

(make a different change)

In order to update a name and add or remove an owner on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center.

For updating a name, you'll need to bring one of the following: marriage certificate, divorce decree indicating name change, court order of name change or adoption certificate.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to update a name and add, remove or update a payable on death (POD) beneficiary on the account

(make a different change)

In order to update a name and add, remove or update a payable on death (POD) beneficiary on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center and bring the following:

A valid government-issued photo ID
One of the following: marriage certificate, divorce decree indicating name change, court order of name change or adoption certificate
The following information about the POD beneficiary: legal name, country of citizenship, date of birth and either the beneficiary's Social Security number or current address

If you're updating a retirement account, you can download and complete a Bank of America IRA beneficiary change formBank of America IRA beneficiary change formBank of America IRA beneficiary change form (PDF, requires Adobe Readerlayer Adobe Readerlayer Adobe Readerlayer) prior to your appointment. (Note: It is not necessary for the beneficiary to attend the financial center appointment.)

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to add or remove an owner and add, remove or update a beneficiary on your account

(make a different change)

In order to add or remove an owner and add, remove or update a beneficiary on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center.

For updating a beneficiary, you'll need to bring the following information about the beneficiary: name and country of citizenship, plus either (a) Social Security number or (b) date of birth and current address.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to update a name, add or remove an owner and add, remove or update a payable on death (POD) beneficiary on the account

(make a different change)

In order to update a name, add or remove an owner and add, remove or update a payable on death (POD) beneficiary on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center and bring the following:

For updating a name, you'll need to bring one of the following: marriage certificate, divorce decree indicating name change, court order of name change or adoption certificate.

For updating a payable on death (POD) beneficiary on your Bank of America account, you'll need to bring the following information about the POD beneficiary: legal name, country of citizenship, date of birth and either the beneficiary's Social Security number or current address.

We can help you add or remove an authorized signer on your account

(make a different change)

In order to add or remove an authorized signer on your Business Advantage account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center and bring a government-issued photo ID for all existing and new authorized signers/owners. The documents you need to bring depend on the type of business you have.

For a corporation, limited liability company (LLC) unincorporated association or non-business you'll need to provide meeting minutes signed by the secretary (or, for an LLC, signed by the managers for manager-managed or by the members for member-managed). A sole proprietor must initiate all signer changes for the business accounts. For a general or limited partnership, please contact small business customer service at 888-600-4000 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-10 p.m. ET).

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

Don't live near a financial center? Please contact small business customer service at 888-600-4000 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-10 p.m. ET) for information on how to make this change to your account.

You need to update a name on your account

In order to update a name on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center and bring:

A valid government-issued photo ID
One of the following: marriage certificate, divorce decree indicating name change, court order of name change or adoption certificate

If there are multiple owners on the account, all account owners will need to be present at the financial center appointment and bring valid government-issued IDs.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to add or remove an owner on your account

In order to add or remove an owner on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to add, remove or update a payable on death (POD) beneficiary on the account

Name and country of citizenship, date of birth, and either (a) Social Security number or (b) current address.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to update a name and add or remove an owner on your account

In order to update a name and add or remove an owner on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center.

For updating a name, you'll need to bring one of the following: marriage certificate, divorce decree indicating name change, court order of name change or adoption certificate.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to update a name and add, remove or update a payable on death (POD) beneficiary on the account

A valid government-issued photo ID
One of the following: marriage certificate, divorce decree indicating name change, court order of name change or adoption certificate
The following information about the POD beneficiary: legal name, country of citizenship, date of birth and either the beneficiary's Social Security number or current address

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to add or remove an owner and add, remove or update a beneficiary on your account

In order to add or remove an owner and add, remove or update a beneficiary on your Bank of America account, you'll need to schedule an appointment in a financial center.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

You need to update a name, add or remove an owner and add, remove or update a payable on death (POD) beneficiary on the account

For updating a name, you'll need to bring one of the following: marriage certificate, divorce decree indicating name change, court order of name change or adoption certificate.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

We can help you add or remove an authorized signer on your account

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

Don't live near a financial center? Please contact small business customer service at 888-600-4000 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-10 p.m. ET) for information on how to make this change to your account.

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Update your address, phone or email

Keep your important details up to date so you never miss an important alert or notice — and to help us reach you quickly if we notice unusual activity or suspect fraud. You can manage these details easily in Online and Mobile Banking:

Primary and account addresses
Phone numbers
Email addresses
Contact preferences

Bank of America Account Ownership Changes (4)

Need to add a power of attorney to your account?

Under certain circ*mstances, Bank of America allows agents to be added to a principal's accounts.

Learn about power of attorney servicesLearn about power of attorney servicesLearn about power of attorney services

Bank of America Account Ownership Changes (5)

Looking for notary services?

Bank of America provides our customers with notary services free of charge in our financial centers nationwide.

Learn more about notary servicesLearn more about notary servicesLearn more about notary services

Estate servicesLosing someone can be stressful. Navigating their financial affairs doesn't have to be.Explore estate servicesMedallion signature guaranteeNeeded for many securities transfers. Provided free of charge to our clients.Explore medallion servicesElder financial careWe can assist you with the unique needs of financially caring for aging parents and loved ones.Explore elder financial careNotary servicesAvailable in our financial centers — at no cost to our customers.Explore notary servicesAccount changesIn order to update your account, you'll typically need to bring documents to an appointment in a financial center.See what's needed for account updatesPower of attorneyWe can help you add someone to your account so they can handle your finances on your behalf.Explore power of attorney services

Bank of America Account Ownership Changes (2024)

FAQs

Can I change the owner of a bank account? ›

For updating a name, you'll need to bring one of the following: marriage certificate, divorce decree indicating name change, court order of name change or adoption certificate. When adding an owner, all account owners will need to be present at the appointment and bring a valid government-issued photo ID.

Read The Full Story ›

Can the ownership of a bank account be transferred to another person? ›

Transferring a bank account refers to the process of moving the ownership of an account from one person to another. This is typically occurs when one account holder dies and the account is then transferred to the surviving account holder(s) or to the beneficiaries of the deceased's estate.

Get More Info ›

Can I remove myself from a joint bank account without the other person? ›

Before taking yourself off a joint bank account, you'll need to let the other account holder know. Banks that allow one account holder to take their name off the account may require you to submit written approval from the other account holder or might even require that all parties visit a local branch in person.

Show Me More ›

What determines ownership of a bank account? ›

An individual account is an account owned by only one person. With the account owner dies, the ownership of the funds passes, subject to applicable law, to the account owner's estate. If the account, however, is designated as Payable on Death (POD), the funds will be distributed to the account's beneficiaries.

Learn More Now ›

Can I transfer my bank account into someone else's name? ›

No, one can ONLY add another name to the account as a joint account holder.

Show Me More ›

How do I transfer ownership of another account? ›

Right-click on the folder / file you want to switch, and once again select Share > Share. Click on the small triangle to the right of the name or email address of the person you want to switch with. In the drop-down menu, select Transfer ownership.

Know More ›

Can I give someone else access to my bank account? ›

When you name someone as your Power of Attorney, they would be able to access your Bank Accounts to help pay your bills, etc. while you are living – but they DO NOT have any ownership interest of this bank account.

Get More Info ›

Can a joint account be transferred to one person? ›

Fill out a form to request the removal of someone from the account. Talk to a bank employee and let them know you want to take someone off your joint account. Complete and sign the form they give you. You'll just have to fill out basic info like the account number and the account holders' names and addresses.

How do I add a second owner to my bank account? ›

Visit a bank branch together or call together (though some banks or credit unions allow you to do it online). Request to add the other person to your savings or checking account.

Can you change a joint bank account to a single account? ›

Ensure your new account is in joint names before completing your switch. You can't switch a joint account into a sole account until the second party has been removed from the account.

Keep Reading ›

Can I close a joint account by myself with Bank of America? ›

Can one party with a joint bank account close the account? Generally, yes. Either account holder can close the account.

Discover More ›

How do I remove one person from my joint account? ›

The first step in removing the name of a joint bank account holder is to obtain the form for account deletion from the bank or from the website. All other account holders, including those whose names are being deleted, must complete and sign the form.

Explore More ›

Who is the primary owner of a joint bank account? ›

The easiest way to tell is to check your statement in online banking under Statements or on the printed copy of your statement. The name listed first is the primary account owner. Joint account owners are listed under each share account as you view down the statement.