There are lots of reasons to open a joint banking account with another person, and just as many to remove someone from an account. Removing an individual from a joint bank account with Bank of America is easy enough, assuming you have the other account holder's consent. Although this policy varies from bank to bank, you may find that you and the joint holder will have to go into the branch where the account was opened and sign documents in the presence of a notary, or you may need to close the account entirely.
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Where To Start
If you're lucky, the person you're trying to remove from a joint account is in agreement with the removal. Removing someone's name from an account may be easier if you go to the branch where the account was opened to speak to a bank representative, but any Bank of America branch can provide further guidance or assist you. While it sounds simple enough, this could present problems if you or the joint holder don't live near a branch. In this case, contact Bank of America and request that forms be sent to you to remove the other account holder's name from the joint account.
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In this case, you and the other account holder need to go to a notary and sign the documents for removal. Next, send the documentation to Bank of America, and once Bank of America receives the documents, the joint account holder will be removed immediately. Although it is faster to go into a branch, this is a viable option for those who cannot get to one.
When the Joint Holder Doesn’t Agree
Depending on the reason you want the other person's name off the account, you may end up in a situation in which she disagrees. You could also have a situation in which you do not have any contact with her, or do not know where she lives. When this happens, removing the joint holder gets substantially more difficult. Because Bank of America mails you forms that you, in turn, send to the other party, if she doesn't respond, you may need to close the account altogether.
Closing the account should be a last resort after all other attempts have been made to contact the other account holder. You can close the bank account without the other account holder's permission, and you will be issued a check for the remaining funds in the account. The bank does not care whose money was in the account, or who opened it, so it is your responsibility to then try to return any of the money that belonged to the other person.