Can you open a bank account in someone elses name

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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) beneficiary layer 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 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 Reader layerAdobe Reader layerAdobe Reader layer) 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.

Schedule an appointmentSchedule an appointmentSchedule an appointment

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.

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

Add, remove or update a beneficiary on the account

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.

Is it legal to open a bank account in another name?

Opening the account in the name of another person is known as Benami account and it is illegal However, the natural guardians namely father or mother can open an account in the name of their minor sons or daughters till they attain majority. This is permitted Can I open a bank account under a different name?

What to do if someone opens a bank account in Your Name?

If someone manages to set up an account using your name and social security number, and the account is in your name only, you should consult an attorney about the best strategy for taking control of the account. What can happen to someone if they are caught opening a bank in someone else's name?

What id do I need to open a bank account?

A Banks and building societies do require ID before they will open an account. They generally require one form of identity proof and one form of address proof. Your identity can be proven with a passport, driving licence, birth certificate, benefit book, national insurance number card or any other official document which bears your name.

Can my bank give my account details to someone without my permission?

My bank has given my account details to some person without my permission. What should I do? NO ACCOUNT INFORMATION OR ACCOUNT DETAILS CAN BE PASSED OUT TO ANYBODY OTHER THAN THE PRINCIPLE ACCOUNT HOLDER . Can someone open a bank account in your name without you knowing?