Overlay

NatWest Current Accounts

Joint Bank Accounts

On this page

What is a joint bank account?

Types of joint bank account

Open a joint bank account

Are they a good idea?

Frequently asked questions

Ready to apply

What does a joint bank account mean?

Having a joint bank account is the same as having your own, except two people have control over the account, including any arranged overdraft (subject to approval).

Both people can spend money from the account, and we'll give you a Contactless Visa Debit Card each. You'll also be able to manage your joint bank account together using our Mobile Banking app, or via Online Banking.

Types of joint bank account

You can open a joint bank account with a range of our savings and current account products, excluding Student and Adapt (child) accounts;

NatWest Select - our basic everyday banking account, with the features you'd expect from a standard account, and no fee.

Our Reward current accounts - Earn £4 a month back in Rewards for 2 or more Direct Debits - 2 of those Direct Debits needs to be at least £2 each. Plus, earn an extra £1 a month back in Rewards with 1 mobile app log in. You can also earn at least 1% on spend with our Partner Retailers. Some Reward accounts also include additional benefits, such as mobile phone insurance and travel insurance. Monthly fees apply.

Premier bank accounts - these accounts provide benefits for higher net worth customers to help you get the most from your finances.

Joint savings accounts - A joint savings account can help you save together. Using our Mobile App, you can set up a goal and track your joint progress towards a dream holiday, or perhaps a rainy day fund.
Learn more about joint savings accounts

See our range of current accounts

Open a joint bank account online

How do I open a new joint account? Close

How do I open a new joint account?

To open a new joint NatWest bank account, choose which of our joint bank accounts is right for you, excluding Student or Adapt (child) accounts.

Click the 'Apply now' button on the page, and follow the instructions on screen. Be sure to select 'Joint account' when you're given the option.

Complete the online application form. It will ask for information for both of the applicants, so it's probably best to complete it together.

Compare our current accounts

How do I change my existing joint account to a sole account? Close

How do I change my existing joint account to a sole account?

If you hold a joint current account or a joint savings account, you can do this by completing our online process. You can find this at bottom of this page.

Important things to note:

If the account you are looking to remove a party from has three or more account holders (including yourself), you will be unable to use the online service. Be aware third parties that are added to the account are not considered account holders as they are not signatory authorisers.
If you hold an overdraft limit you will need to provide us with your expenditure for us to complete an affordability check, this may increase the time taken for our teams to process the application.
Please note that the removal of a party may result in reduction/removal of your overdraft.
We will need consent from the joint account holder in order to remove them from the account.

How do I change my existing sole account to a joint account? Close

How do I change my existing sole account to a joint account?

If you have a Select, Reward or Foundation account, you can do this by completing our online process. You can find this at bottom of this page.

Please note: you can't do this for Savings accounts online and will need to visit a branch.

Important things to note:

If you hold a Reward Silver, Reward Platinum, Reward Black, Student or Adapt current account you will not be able to add an account holder online. Not sure which account you have? See guidance.
You can only add someone to an account provided they’re a UK resident and you are both over the age of 18.
Both account holders will have equal ownership of any funds or overdrafts held in the joint account. It's important you consider this when adding someone to your account, as you won't be able to remove them in future without their consent.
Remember if the person you are adding to the account is not a NatWest customer we will require proof of address.

Can I add another person to my joint account? Close

Can I add another person to my joint account?

You won't be able to use our online process to add any more people to a joint account.

If you're looking to add a third party, Power of Attorney, or for more information on adding or removing a party from your account, visit our dedicated page.

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

Are joint accounts a good idea?

Having a joint bank account can be a great option for couples, family members, or even close friends, who want to share part of their banking. It can help you organise and manage your money together, to better plan how and where you are spending.

However, before opening a joint account, it's important to ensure:

You fully trust the person you're opening it with, as the bank holds both parties liable for matters such as overspending and debt and any subsequent repayments.

You have discussed finances with each other, as both your credit scores will be assessed during your application and once you have a joint account, you will be co-scored. Co-scoring takes into account both parties' credit scores and can affect any future applications for credit you both make.

Learn more about setting up finances with a partner

Protecting against financial abuse

Financial abuse (also referred to as economic abuse) can take a variety of different forms. It might be financial control, exploitation or sabotage. It can happen in a range of different relationships, for instance, with partners, family members, or carers. Financial abuse could happen to anyone. If you think you have been affected by financial abuse, we can offer support.

Protecting against financial abuse

Questions about joint bank accounts

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

Afraid not. Our joint bank accounts are only available between two parties.

What happens if joint account holders become separated?

In the unfortunate situation of a dispute between you, 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 a joint account holder 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 Online 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.

A few more...

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

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

How do we close a joint 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.

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 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.

Get ready to apply

We need to do a few final checks with you. They'll only take a minute.

Continue

What would you like to do today?

Open a new joint account

Add a person to my existing sole current account

Remove a person from my existing joint account

Which accounts are eligible?

Who can apply for a joint account?

Both account holders will have equal ownership of any funds or overdrafts held in the joint account. It's important you consider this when adding someone to your account, as you won't be able to remove them in future without their consent.

The first step is to apply for an account

To find out more, simply choose the account you're interested in and when you are ready, start the online application. You'll be able to request a joint account during the application.

Compare our current accounts

Compare our Savings accounts

Important information

Adding an account holder to your account will mean your account will now function as a 'joint account'.

Which accounts are eligible?

Who can I add to my sole account?

Do we know the person you want to add to your account?

Yes, they're also a NatWest customer

No, they aren't a NatWest customer

You're all set

Proof of ID will be needed from both of you. You'll need:

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

Look out for an email from our security partners, DigiDocs. It'll have a link to securely upload your documents for us to check.

Start my application

You're all set

You'll need:

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

The person you are adding will need to provide two forms of ID and an address document.

Look out for 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?

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

You're all set

Proof of ID will be needed from both of you. You'll need:

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

Look out for an email from our security partners, DigiDocs. It'll have a link to securely upload your documents for us to check.

Start my application