Opening a Chase checking account costs nothing upfront

Chase does not charge a fee to open a checking account. You can walk into a branch, call 1-800-935-9935, or go online to chase.com and open an account without paying an opening fee. The account itself is free to create.

What matters is what happens after you open it. Chase checking accounts have different structures depending on which one you choose, and some have monthly maintenance fees while others do not. The fee depends on the account type and whether you meet certain conditions—like keeping a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit.

Key Takeaways

  • Opening a Chase checking account has no upfront cost, whether you open it online, by phone, or in a branch.
  • Monthly maintenance fees range from $0 to $15 depending on the account type and whether you meet fee-waiver conditions.
  • Chase Total Checking and Chase Secure Checking both waive their monthly fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit.
  • You will need a government ID, Social Security number, and initial deposit (usually $25 minimum) to complete the account opening.
  • Overdraft fees, ATM fees outside Chase's network, and other service charges are separate from the monthly maintenance fee.

Which Chase checking accounts have monthly fees

Chase offers several checking account types, and the monthly cost depends on which one you choose. Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly maintenance fee, but it waives if you maintain a $500 minimum daily balance or set up direct deposit. Chase Secure Checking has a $5 monthly fee that waives under the same conditions. Chase College Checking has no monthly fee for the first five years after opening, then converts to Chase Total Checking.

If you do not meet the balance or direct deposit requirement, you pay the full monthly fee. Direct deposit does not need to be your paycheck—it can be any recurring deposit like Social Security, pension, or unemployment benefits. The balance requirement is the minimum you must hold every day of the month; dipping below it even once means you pay the fee that month.

What you need to open an account and what it costs

To open a Chase checking account, you need a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit. The minimum opening deposit is usually $25, though this can vary by location and account type. You can fund the account with a debit card, transfer from another bank, or cash if you open in person at a branch.

If you do not have $25 available right now, you cannot open the account until you do. Chase does not waive the opening deposit requirement. Once the account is open and funded, you can withdraw that money immediately—there is no lock-in period.

Fees that come after the account opens

The monthly maintenance fee is only one cost. Chase also charges for other services: overdraft fees ($35 per transaction if you spend more than your balance), out-of-network ATM fees ($2.50 per withdrawal at non-Chase ATMs), wire transfer fees ($15 for outgoing domestic wires), and stop-payment fees ($30). These are separate from the monthly maintenance fee and apply whether or not you pay it.

Overdraft protection can prevent overdraft fees if you link a savings account or credit card, but Chase charges a $12.50 transfer fee each time it moves money to cover a shortfall. Avoiding overdrafts by monitoring your balance is cheaper than paying these fees repeatedly.

How to avoid paying a monthly fee

The easiest way to avoid the monthly maintenance fee is to set up direct deposit. Any regular deposit counts—paycheck, Social Security, pension, unemployment, or disability benefits. Once direct deposit is active, the fee waives automatically each month, even if the deposit is small.

If direct deposit is not an option, maintain a $500 minimum daily balance. This means your account cannot drop below $500 on any day of the month. If you use your checking account for regular spending, this can be difficult. Some people keep $500 in checking and use a separate savings account for daily expenses to meet this requirement.

Opening online versus in person

Opening online at chase.com takes about 10 minutes and requires a valid email address and phone number in addition to your ID and Social Security number. Chase will verify your identity using information from your credit report and may ask security questions. The account opens immediately, and you can start using it the same day with a debit card you request or by transferring money from another bank.

Opening in a Chase branch takes longer—usually 20 to 30 minutes—but a banker can answer questions and help you choose the right account type. You can deposit cash immediately and receive a debit card on the spot or within 7 to 10 business days by mail. Both methods are free; the only cost is the initial deposit.

What happens if you close the account soon after opening

Chase does not charge a fee to close a checking account, but if you close it within 90 days of opening, Chase may report it to ChexSystems, a banking history database. This can make it harder to open accounts at other banks for up to five years. If you need to close the account, wait at least 90 days to avoid this mark.

If you close the account and still owe money—for example, if an overdraft fee posted after you withdrew your balance—Chase will pursue collection. Keep the account open long enough to ensure all pending transactions have cleared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase checking account without a Social Security number?

No. Chase requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to open any account. If you do not have one, you cannot open a Chase checking account online or by phone, though some branches may offer alternatives—call ahead to ask.

What if I cannot maintain a $500 balance or set up direct deposit?

You will pay the monthly maintenance fee every month. For Chase Total Checking, that is $12 per month or $144 per year. If the fee is a hardship, consider a different bank that offers no-fee checking accounts, or ask Chase about hardship waivers if your circumstances change.

Does the initial deposit count toward the minimum balance requirement?

Yes. If you deposit $500 to open the account, that counts as your minimum balance for that month. However, if you spend any of it, your balance drops below $500 and you will owe the monthly fee.

Can I open multiple Chase checking accounts to avoid fees?

Technically yes, but Chase monitors for abuse. If you open and close multiple accounts in a short time to avoid fees, Chase may close your accounts and flag you in ChexSystems. Open only the accounts you actually need.

What if I get the monthly fee charged by mistake?

Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 or visit a branch and ask them to review the fee. If you met the balance or direct deposit requirement and were still charged, they may reverse it as a one-time courtesy. Repeated reversals are unlikely.