Chase checking accounts have no opening deposit requirement

You can open a Chase checking account with zero dollars. Chase does not require a minimum deposit to start the account, and you do not have to fund it immediately when you open it. You can open online, by phone, or in a branch, and the account becomes active without any money changing hands.

That said, the account itself has ongoing costs that depend on which type of checking account you choose. Most people pay nothing per month, but some accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee unless you meet certain conditions—like keeping a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase checking accounts require no money to open, but some accounts charge a monthly fee if you do not meet balance or deposit requirements.
  • Chase Total Checking and Chase Secure Checking are the two most common options, and both waive the monthly fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or receive direct deposits.
  • You can open an account online in minutes, by phone, or in a branch, and you will need a government ID and Social Security number.
  • If you cannot meet the balance requirement, you can waive the fee by setting up direct deposit of any amount from your employer or government benefits.
  • Overdraft fees and other service charges apply separately and are not part of the account opening cost.

Monthly fees and how to avoid them

Chase Total Checking, the standard account for most people, charges $12 per month—but the fee is waived if you keep a $500 minimum daily balance or receive at least one direct deposit per month. If you do neither, you pay $12 every month the account is open.

Chase Secure Checking is designed for people building or rebuilding credit and has the same $12 monthly fee with the same waiver conditions: $500 minimum balance or one direct deposit per month. The difference is that Secure Checking requires a savings account opened at the same time, funded with at least $500, which serves as collateral for a linked credit card.

If you cannot maintain $500 in the checking account itself, direct deposit is the easiest path to waiving the fee. Direct deposit means your paycheck, Social Security, pension, or other regular income goes straight into the account. Chase counts any direct deposit, regardless of amount, so even a small recurring transfer counts.

What you need to open an account

To open a Chase checking account online or in a branch, you will need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and your Social Security number. If you are opening in a branch, bring both documents with you. If you are opening online, you will photograph or upload your ID and enter your Social Security number during the process.

You will also need an initial funding method if you want to deposit money right away—a debit card, bank account, or wire transfer. Again, this is optional; you can open the account empty and fund it later.

If you do not have a Social Security number, Chase offers accounts for non-citizens with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), but you must open these in a branch, not online.

Opening online versus in a branch

Opening online takes about 10 minutes and you can do it from your phone or computer. Chase will verify your identity using information from your credit file and may ask security questions. Your account number and routing number are available immediately, though it can take one to two business days for the account to be fully active for all transactions.

Opening in a branch takes longer—usually 20 to 30 minutes—but a banker can answer questions and help you set up direct deposit or transfers on the spot. If you have a complicated banking history or credit issues, opening in a branch sometimes makes approval faster because a person can review your situation.

Both routes are free. Chase does not charge to open an account in person or online.

Other costs that are not part of opening

The monthly maintenance fee is separate from overdraft fees, which apply if you spend more than you have in the account. Chase charges $35 per overdraft transaction, and you can overdraw multiple times in a single day. You can opt out of overdraft coverage, which means transactions will be declined instead of charged a fee.

Other fees include $3 for out-of-network ATM withdrawals (Chase reimburses ATM fees charged by other banks, but charges you if you use a non-Chase ATM), $15 for a returned deposit, and $25 for a stop payment request. None of these apply unless you use those services.

Minimum balance requirements versus direct deposit

The $500 minimum balance is a daily balance, meaning your account must not drop below $500 at any point during the day. If you have $600 in the morning and spend $150, you fall below $500 and the fee applies that month. This makes the balance requirement difficult for people with irregular income or frequent small expenses.

Direct deposit is more forgiving because it only requires one deposit per month, of any amount. If you receive a paycheck, Social Security, pension, unemployment, or any other regular income, you can set it up to go directly to your Chase account. Once it is set up, the fee waiver applies automatically every month.

If you have neither a steady income nor $500 to keep in the account, you will pay the $12 monthly fee. Some people accept this as the cost of having a checking account; others switch to a bank or credit union with no monthly fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase checking account if I have been denied before?

Chase uses ChexSystems, a banking history report, to screen applicants. If you were denied, it was likely due to unpaid fees, fraud, or excessive overdrafts on a previous account. You can request your ChexSystems report for free and dispute errors. Opening in a branch and explaining your situation to a banker sometimes results in approval when online applications are denied.

Do I need to open a savings account too?

No, unless you choose Chase Secure Checking, which requires a linked savings account with $500. For regular Chase Total Checking, a savings account is optional. Many people open both because Chase offers higher interest rates on savings accounts and the accounts link easily for transfers.

How long does it take to use my account after opening?

Your account number and routing number are available immediately after opening online. Debit card orders ship within 7 to 10 business days. Transfers from other banks take 1 to 3 business days. Direct deposits typically post on your regular payday once set up.

What if I want to close the account later?

You can close a Chase checking account anytime by visiting a branch, calling customer service, or using the mobile app. There is no fee to close. If you have a negative balance, you must pay it before closing.

Can I open more than one Chase checking account?

Yes, but Chase limits you to one account per type per person. You can have one Chase Total Checking and one Chase Secure Checking, for example, but not two Total Checking accounts. Each account has its own monthly fee unless you meet the waiver conditions.