Personal
Current accounts
Joint bank accounts
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Bank Accounts

Joint Bank Accounts

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What is a joint bank account? Open in new window

Types of joint bank account Open in new window

How to set up a joint bank account Open in new window

Frequently asked questions Open in new window

Ready to add someone Open in new window

What is a joint bank account?

In most ways, a joint bank account is the same as having your own, except two people have control over the account. It's great for couples, trusted friends or family members, who want to share part of their banking.

Both people can spend money from the account, and both parties are also responsible for any arranged overdraft (subject to approval).

It'll give you a Contactless Debit Card each. You'll also be able to manage your joint bank account together using our Mobile Banking app, or via Digital Banking.

To apply for any of these accounts, you must be 18+ and a UK resident. Specific account criteria and eligibility apply.

What current accounts can I open or make joint?

You can only open and then add to our Select, Reward, Premier Select or Premier Reward account in a sole name and then request to add a party to make this joint, or you can request to add to an existing one of the above accounts to make this joint.

Revolve and Student accounts can only be opened and owned in sole names.

Any account that includes the following in the product name, Silver, Platinum, Black, Student, Revolve can't be added to.

See our range of current accounts Open in new window

How to set up a joint bank account online

Opening a joint bank account with the Royal Bank of Scotland may include a few extra steps than when you’re opening an account on your own. To set this up, you’ll need to add the new party to your new or existing current account.

Choose the option that's right for you:

We’re both new Royal Bank of Scotland customers

One of you opens a new individual current account (including any ID documents you may need to upload).
Wait for an email confirmation to tell you your account is ready to use.
Once you’ve received your confirmation email, you can add the second party to your new account via the 'Ready to add someone' button below.
Just to let you know, it's not possible to add someone to all accounts. This includes Silver, Platinum, Black, Savings, Student and Revolve accounts.

Ready to add someone Open in new window

Only one of us is an existing customer

Create a new account which you both will share

The new customer opens a new sole current account.
Once the new customer has received their email confirming the account is ready to use, add the second party to the account via the 'Ready to add someone' button below.
Just to let you know, it's not possible to add someone to all accounts. This includes Silver, Platinum, Black, Savings, Student and Revolve accounts.

Share an existing account

Follow the instructions to add a party to the existing account via the 'Ready to add someone' button below.
Just to let you know, it's not possible to add someone to all accounts. This includes Silver, Platinum, Black, Savings, Student and Revolve accounts.

Ready to add someone Open in new window

We're both existing customers

Share a new account

One of you opens a new individual current account.
Wait for an email confirmation to tell you your account is ready to use.
Once you’ve received your confirmation email, you can add the second party to your new account via the 'Ready to add someone' button below.
Just to let you know, it's not possible to add someone to all accounts. This includes Silver, Platinum, Black, Savings, Student and Revolve accounts.

Share an existing account

Follow the instructions to add a party to the existing account via the 'Ready to add someone' button below.
Just to let you know, it's not possible to add someone to all accounts. This includes Silver, Platinum, Black, Savings, Student and Revolve accounts.

Ready to add someone Open in new window

We want to switch in a joint current account

We want to switch in a joint current account to a new account

If the account held elsewhere is joint please do not instruct the switch in during your initial application.
One of you opens a new individual current account and you've added a party to your account.
Once you’ve received your confirmation email to confirm this is now a joint account, request a switch in using the 'Ready to switch' button below, and choose the option 'I want to switch in an account held elsewhere'.

We want to switch into an existing joint account

The account you are switching into and from is in joint names.
Select the Ready to 'Ready to switch' below.
Select the option 'I want to switch in an account held elsewhere'.

Ready to switch Open in new window

Switch to Royal Bank

The Current Account Switch Service will do all the work when it comes to switching, moving everything across from your old account all within 7 working days, including Direct Debits and standing orders. All you need to do is tell us the details of your old bank account and when you want the switch to start.

We can not switch savings accounts or ISAs through this service. Any other products you have with your old bank will not be moved at the same time.

Current Account Switch Guarantee (PDF, 39KB)

A Guide to Switching Current Accounts (PDF, 3MB)

How does the Switch Service work?

Open in new window

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch a joint account held elsewhere to a RBS joint account?

Yes, you can use the Current Account Switch Service to switch a joint account from another bank to RBS in the same way you can a sole bank account.

Can I have a joint account with more than one person?

RBS joint bank accounts are only available between two parties.

How do we close a joint account?

To close your joint account, you both need to agree. If there are any regular payments, or any debt to be paid off, you will need to decide how these will be settled before the account can be closed.

In the unfortunate situation of a dispute between the parties, then you can cancel the joint account mandate. Neither of you will be able to use the account until the dispute has been settled, and each of you will be held liable for any debt on the account.

If you wish to close your joint account, then you need to pop in to a branch or write to us.

We’ll also need the number of signatories to match our records. For example, if the account is set up with 'one to sign' then it can be closed by either person on the account. If it’s set up as 'two to sign' then both need to sign to close the account.

Do packaged joint bank accounts cost the same as packaged sole bank accounts?

Yes they do. The fee you pay for one of our packaged accounts (such as Reward Silver or Reward Platinum) is only dependent on which account you choose.

What happens if joint account holders become separated or break up?

In the unfortunate situation of a dispute between you, then you can cancel the joint account mandate. Neither of you will be able to use the account until the dispute has been settled, and each of you will be held liable for any debt on the account.

If you wish to close your joint account, then both parties need to agree. If there are any regular payments on the account, or any debt to be paid off, you will need to decide how these will be settled before the account can be closed.

What happens if one of the joint account holders passes away?

In the circumstance that one joint account holder passes away, we can change the joint account to a sole account. The best thing to do is speak with your nearest branch, or write to us.

Can I apply for an Arranged Overdraft on a joint account?

Yes, you can apply for an Arranged Overdraft on your joint account within our Mobile Banking app or Digital Banking.

During the application we only need one of the account holders to give us information about income and outgoings. We will run a full credit check to confirm the overdraft limit we can offer. If you go overdrawn on your joint account, each account holder will be responsible for paying off any money you owe.

Get ready to apply

To speed up your application, we’ll need to do a few final checks with you. They'll only take a minute.

If you’re adding someone to your account, they’ll need to be aged 18+ and a UK resident.
If you’re removing someone from an account, you’ll need to make sure you have their permission.

We currently can’t add a new person to bank accounts that use “Travel account”.

Continue

Are you adding or removing someone from your account?

Please choose an option below to continue

Adding someone to my account

Removing someone from a joint account

Are they also a Royal Bank of Scotland customer?

Please choose an option below to continue

Yes

Which account are you changing?

You can check which type of account you have on Digital Banking or through our mobile app.

Please choose an option below to continue

Select account

Reward account

Foundation account

Another account / I’m not sure

Do you have our mobile app?

Let us know if you have our mobile app on the device you're using right now.

Please choose an option below to continue

Yes, I have the app on this device

No, I don't have the app

I have the app, but it's on a different device

You're all set

Adding someone to your account is a big change. Before you commit, take time to think about the following:

Adding someone to your account will change it into a joint account.
You’ll both share responsibility for the joint account and any money in it.
Once added, you’ll need the other person’s permission to remove them from the account.

What you’ll need

You’ll need the full name of the person you’re adding. You’ll also need the sort code and account number of one of their Royal Bank of Scotland accounts.

You'll need our app to continue

To add someone to your account, you’ll need to use our mobile app.

It won’t take long to download and get set up.

You just need:

Your Digital Banking PIN and password.
Your mobile phone to get your one-time passcode.

Get our app

Apply using your mobile device

Scan the QR code on your mobile device that you’ve got the app on. You’ll then be able to apply in a flash.

We need to know which type of account you’re changing

You can check which account you have using Digital Banking or our mobile app.

You can only add someone to the following types of account:

Select
Reward
Foundation

Got a different type of account?

We can’t add a person to some types of account including our Saving, Student, and Revolve accounts. We’re also unable to add someone to our Silver, Platinum and Black accounts.

You're all set

Adding someone to your account is a big change. Before you commit, take time to think about the following:

Adding someone to your account will change it into a joint account. You’ll both share responsibility for the joint account and any money in it
Once added, you’ll need the other person’s permission to remove them from the account

What you’ll both need:

A selfie (from the front and side profile)
Photo ID, such as Driving Licence, Passport or EU ID card

You’ll both receive an email from our security partners, DigiDocs. It'll have a link to securely upload your documents for us to check.

Start my application

Important information

Which accounts are eligible?

You can use this online form to remove a person from your:

Joint current account
Joint savings account

If the account you are looking to remove a party from has more than 2 account holders, you will be unable to use the online service. To process this request we will need you to visit your local branch.

To remove a person from your account you'll need their consent.

You're all set

What you’ll both need:

A selfie (from the front and side profile)
Photo ID, such as Driving Licence, Passport or EU ID card

You’ll both receive an email from our security partners, DigiDocs. It'll have a link to securely upload your documents for us to check.

Start my application