Chase does not charge a fee to open a checking account
Chase offers several checking accounts with no opening fee, no matter which account type you choose. You pay nothing to start the account itself. However, Chase does charge monthly maintenance fees on most of its checking products — and those fees begin once the account is open — so the real cost depends on which account you pick and whether you meet the bank's waiver requirements.
The distinction matters: opening is free, but maintaining the account may not be. If you do not meet the conditions to waive the monthly fee, you will see a charge appear on your statement 30 to 60 days after you open the account.
Key Takeaways
- Chase charges no fee to open any of its checking accounts, but most accounts carry a monthly maintenance fee that starts after the account opens.
- The Chase Total Checking account charges $12 per month unless you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit.
- The Chase Premier Plus Checking account charges $25 per month unless you maintain a $15,000 minimum balance or meet other conditions.
- You can waive monthly fees by meeting one of several conditions, which vary by account type and change periodically.
- If you are under 18, Chase offers Chase First Banking with no monthly fee at all.
Monthly fees on Chase's main checking accounts
Chase Total Checking carries a $12 monthly maintenance fee. You can waive it by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $500, setting up direct deposit of any amount, or maintaining a Chase savings account with a $300 minimum balance. If none of those apply to you, the $12 charge hits your account each month.
Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month. The waiver requires either a $15,000 minimum daily balance or a combination of conditions: $10,000 in combined balances across Chase deposit accounts plus $25,000 in combined balances across Chase investment and lending products. This account is designed for customers with higher balances or multiple Chase products.
Chase also offers Chase First Banking for customers under 18, which has no monthly maintenance fee. Once you turn 18, the account converts to Chase Total Checking, and the monthly fee applies unless you meet one of the waiver conditions.
How to avoid the monthly fee when you open
The easiest waiver for most people is direct deposit. If your employer or a government agency (Social Security, unemployment, tax refunds) deposits money into your Chase account, the monthly fee disappears. You do not need a minimum balance, and the direct deposit can be any amount — even $1 counts.
If direct deposit is not an option, maintaining the minimum balance is the second path. For Total Checking, $500 is the threshold. For Premier Plus, $15,000 is required. The balance is measured as your daily balance, so you need to keep that amount in the account every day of the month to avoid the fee.
A third option for Total Checking is linking a Chase savings account with a $300 minimum balance. This works if you are building savings alongside your checking account and can keep $300 in savings at all times.
When the fee first appears on your statement
Chase does not charge the monthly maintenance fee on the day you open the account. Instead, the fee appears 30 to 60 days after opening, depending on your account opening date and Chase's billing cycle. This gives you a window to set up direct deposit or move money into the account before the first charge hits.
Check your account statement online or through the Chase mobile app to see when your first billing cycle closes. That is when you will see whether a fee was charged. If you set up direct deposit before that date, the fee should not appear.
What happens if you do not meet the waiver conditions
If the monthly fee is charged and you do not want to keep paying it, you have options. You can close the account at any Chase branch or through the app — there is no early closure fee. You can also switch to a different Chase account type if one of the others fits your situation better.
Some customers choose to move to an online bank or credit union that offers checking with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Chase does not penalize you for closing, so the decision is purely about which account works for your finances.
Other costs to know about after opening
While opening is free and the monthly fee can be waived, Chase does charge for certain transactions and services. Overdraft fees are $35 per transaction if you spend more than your balance. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals cost $3 per transaction (though Chase reimburses ATM fees charged by other banks). Wire transfers, cashier's checks, and stop-payment requests each carry their own fees, typically $15 to $30.
International transactions and currency conversions also incur fees. If you travel or send money abroad, ask Chase about those costs before you need them. These fees are separate from the monthly maintenance fee and apply only when you use those specific services.
How to open a Chase checking account with no fee
You can open online at chase.com, through the Chase mobile app, or at a Chase branch. Online and app openings take 5 to 10 minutes and require your Social Security number, a government ID, and an initial deposit (usually $25 minimum, though this varies). You can fund the account with a debit card, transfer from another bank, or deposit cash at a branch.
At a branch, a banker can walk you through the process and help you understand which account type fits your needs. Bring your ID and Social Security number. The account opens immediately, and you receive a debit card on the spot or by mail within 7 to 10 business days, depending on the branch.
Before you open, decide whether you can meet one of the fee waiver conditions. If direct deposit is coming to the account, tell Chase when you open so they can note it. If you are planning to maintain a minimum balance, make sure you understand the exact amount required for your account type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Chase checking account online with no fee?
Yes. Chase charges nothing to open an account online through chase.com or the mobile app. You will need your Social Security number, a government ID, and an initial deposit of at least $25. The account is active immediately, though your debit card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
What if I cannot meet the minimum balance or set up direct deposit?
If you cannot meet any waiver condition, you will pay the monthly maintenance fee ($12 for Total Checking, $25 for Premier Plus). You can close the account at any time without penalty and move to a bank that offers no-fee checking, or you can adjust your finances to meet one of the waiver requirements.
Does Chase charge to close a checking account?
No. Chase does not charge a fee to close a checking account. You can close online, through the app, or at a branch. Make sure your account balance is zero and all pending transactions have cleared before you close.
If I open with direct deposit, will the fee always be waived?
Yes, as long as direct deposit continues. If direct deposits stop coming, the monthly fee will resume the following billing cycle unless you meet another waiver condition. You do not need to notify Chase — the system checks automatically each month.
Is there a difference between opening in person and opening online?
No. The opening fee is zero either way. Opening online is faster, while opening in person lets you ask questions and receive a debit card immediately. Both accounts function identically once they are open.