You can remove an authorized user or co-owner through Chase online banking, by phone, or in person at a branch

The steps differ depending on whether the person is an authorized user (someone you added to help manage the account but who doesn't own it) or a co-owner (someone whose name is on the account itself). Authorized users are simpler to remove—you can do it yourself in minutes through Chase online banking or by calling. Co-owners require both people to agree, or in some cases require a court order, because removing a co-owner means taking away their legal claim to the money in the account.

Start by logging into your Chase online banking account or mobile app. Go to the account settings or account details section for the checking account in question. If you see an option to manage users or signers, you're looking at the right place. If the person is listed as an authorized user, you should see an option to remove them. If they're listed as a co-owner, Chase will tell you that both account holders need to visit a branch or call to make changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorized users can be removed by the primary account holder through Chase online banking, the mobile app, or by phone without the other person's permission.
  • Co-owners cannot be removed without their consent or a court order, because they have a legal right to the account and the money in it.
  • Removing someone does not automatically close any linked services like overdraft protection or bill pay that may be tied to their access.
  • If you remove someone and they still have a debit card, contact Chase immediately to report the card as lost or stolen so it can be deactivated.

Removing an authorized user through Chase online banking

Log into Chase.com or open the Chase mobile app and navigate to the checking account you want to manage. Select "Account Settings" or "Manage Account" (the exact label varies by app version). Look for a section called "Users," "Authorized Users," "Account Access," or "Signers."

You should see a list of everyone with access to the account. Find the person you want to remove and select the option to delete, remove, or revoke access. Chase will ask you to confirm the action. Once you confirm, that person's access ends immediately. They will no longer be able to see the account balance, make transfers, pay bills, or use any debit card linked to that account.

If you don't see an option to manage users in your online banking, call Chase at the number on the back of your debit card and ask to speak with someone about removing an authorized user. Have your account number ready.

Removing an authorized user by phone

Call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card or on your most recent statement. Tell them you want to remove an authorized user from your checking account. They will ask you to verify your identity by providing your Social Security number, account number, or other information tied to the account.

Once verified, the representative will confirm the name of the person you want to remove and process the removal. This typically takes a few minutes. Ask the representative to confirm the effective date—removal is usually immediate, but confirm it in writing by asking them to note it in your account record or send you a confirmation email.

Removing a co-owner requires both signatures or a court order

If the person is a co-owner rather than an authorized user, you cannot remove them unilaterally. A co-owner has a legal right to the account and the funds in it. To remove a co-owner, both of you must visit a Chase branch together and sign paperwork, or one of you must obtain a court order.

If the co-owner is unwilling to visit a branch or sign removal paperwork, you have limited options. You can close the account entirely and open a new one in your name alone, but this requires the co-owner's consent if there are funds in the account that belong to them. If you believe the co-owner is using the account fraudulently or you are in an unsafe situation, contact local law enforcement or a domestic violence hotline for guidance on your legal options.

Some people in this situation choose to freeze the account or remove it from online banking access, which prevents new transactions but does not remove the co-owner's name. This is a temporary measure and does not solve the underlying problem.

What happens to debit cards and linked services after removal

When you remove an authorized user, their debit card will stop working at point-of-sale terminals and ATMs within a few hours, though it may take up to 24 hours in some cases. However, the card itself is not automatically destroyed. If you want to ensure the card cannot be used, contact Chase and ask them to report it as lost or stolen. This triggers an immediate deactivation.

Linked services like bill pay, mobile wallet access (Apple Pay, Google Pay), or overdraft protection tied to that person's card or login may also stop working, but this depends on how those services were set up. If you're unsure whether anything else is connected to their access, call Chase and ask them to review what services are active on the account.

Removing someone who has already died

If the authorized user or co-owner has passed away, the process is different. You will need to provide Chase with a death certificate and, if you are not the executor of their estate, documentation showing your authority to manage the account. Chase will remove the deceased person's name and access.

If the deceased person was a co-owner, their estate may have a claim to their share of the account balance. Chase may freeze the account pending resolution of the estate. Contact Chase with the death certificate and ask what documentation they need from you or the executor.

What to do if someone refuses to be removed or you cannot reach them

If you are the primary account holder and the person is an authorized user, you can remove them without their consent or knowledge. You do not need their permission. If they are a co-owner, you cannot remove them without their agreement or a court order.

If you suspect the co-owner is committing fraud or you are in danger, contact local law enforcement and ask about filing a report. You can also consult a lawyer about your options for removing a co-owner through the court system. Some states allow you to file for a court order to remove a co-owner if they are acting against your interests or if the account was opened under false pretenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know immediately that they've been removed?

They will notice when they try to log in or use their debit card and it no longer works. Chase does not send a notification to the removed person. If you want to tell them, you will need to contact them directly.

Can I remove someone if I'm not the primary account holder?

No. Only the primary account holder can remove an authorized user. If you are a co-owner, you have equal rights to the account, and removing the other co-owner requires both signatures or a court order.

What if the person I'm removing still has checks linked to the account?

Checks they wrote before removal may still clear, because the check itself is a legal instrument separate from their current access status. If you want to prevent checks from clearing, you would need to close the account. Contact Chase if you have concerns about outstanding checks.

Does removing someone close the account?

No. Removing an authorized user or co-owner does not close the account. The account remains open and active for the remaining owner or owners. Only you can close the account by requesting it through Chase.

Can I remove someone and then add them back later?

Yes. If the person is an authorized user, you can remove them and add them back at any time. If they are a co-owner, you would need their consent to add them back, just as you would to remove them in the first place.