You can name a beneficiary on your Chase checking account through the Chase mobile app, online banking, or by visiting a branch in person

A beneficiary is a person you name to receive the money in your account if you die. Chase lets you add one or more beneficiaries to a checking account without needing a will or going to court. The process takes a few minutes and costs nothing.

The fastest way is through the Chase mobile app or Chase.com. You can also walk into any Chase branch and ask a banker to add a beneficiary for you on the spot. Either way, the beneficiary does not need to be present, and you do not need their permission — you are simply telling Chase who should get the money.

When you die, your beneficiary contacts Chase with a death certificate and proof of their identity. Chase then transfers the account balance to them. This happens outside of probate, meaning it is faster than waiting for a will to be processed through the court system.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add a beneficiary through the Chase app, Chase.com, or at a branch — no appointment needed.
  • A beneficiary receives your account balance when you die and does not need your permission to be named.
  • The transfer bypasses probate, so your beneficiary gets the money faster than through a will.
  • You can name multiple beneficiaries and decide what percentage each one receives.
  • Changing or removing a beneficiary is just as simple as adding one and can be done anytime.

Adding a beneficiary through the Chase mobile app

Open the Chase mobile app and sign in to your account. Tap the checking account you want to add a beneficiary to. Scroll down and look for a section labeled "Account details," "Settings," or "Beneficiary" — the exact wording varies by phone type and app version.

Tap "Add beneficiary" or "Manage beneficiary." You will be asked to enter the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, and relationship to you (spouse, child, parent, other). You will also enter their Social Security number or tax ID so Chase can verify their identity in their records.

If you want to name multiple beneficiaries, you can assign a percentage to each one. For example, you could give 50% to your spouse and 25% each to two children. The percentages must add up to 100%. Once you confirm the details, the beneficiary is added immediately.

Adding a beneficiary through Chase.com

Log into Chase.com and select the checking account you want to update. Click "Account details" or "Settings" — this is usually in the top right or in a menu on the left side of the screen.

Look for a link or button that says "Beneficiary," "Add beneficiary," or "Manage beneficiary." Click it and enter the same information: the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, relationship, and Social Security number or tax ID. You can assign percentages if you are naming more than one person.

Review the information for accuracy and click "Confirm" or "Save." The change takes effect right away. You will receive a confirmation email from Chase.

Adding a beneficiary at a Chase branch

Walk into any Chase branch during business hours and tell a banker you want to add a beneficiary to your checking account. Bring your ID and the checking account number. You do not need an appointment.

The banker will ask for the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, relationship to you, and Social Security number or tax ID. If you want to name multiple beneficiaries, tell the banker the percentage each should receive. The banker will enter this information into the system while you are there.

You will sign a form confirming the beneficiary information. The banker will give you a copy, and the beneficiary is added to your account immediately. This is the best option if you are not comfortable using the app or website, or if you want to ask questions in person.

What happens when you name multiple beneficiaries

You can name as many beneficiaries as you want on a single checking account. When you add more than one, you must decide how much of the account balance each person receives. This is done as a percentage.

For example, you could name your spouse as 60% beneficiary and your two adult children as 20% each. If your account has $10,000 when you die, your spouse would receive $6,000 and each child would receive $2,000. The percentages must always add up to 100%.

You can change the percentages anytime through the app, website, or by visiting a branch. If you remove a beneficiary, their percentage is removed but the other beneficiaries' percentages stay the same — you do not have to reenter everything.

Changing or removing a beneficiary

To change a beneficiary's information or remove them entirely, use the same method you used to add them. In the app or on Chase.com, go to the account details and find the beneficiary section. You will see an option to edit or delete each beneficiary listed.

If you are removing a beneficiary, click "Remove" or "Delete" next to their name. Confirm the change, and they are removed from the account. If you are changing their information — for example, updating their address or changing the percentage they receive — click "Edit," make the change, and save.

Changes take effect immediately. You do not have to notify the beneficiary that you have made a change, and there is no waiting period.

What the beneficiary needs to do after you die

When you die, the person you named as beneficiary should contact Chase as soon as possible. They will need to provide Chase with an original or certified copy of your death certificate and a government-issued ID showing their own identity.

Chase will verify the information and transfer the account balance to the beneficiary. The exact timeline varies, but most transfers happen within one to three weeks. The beneficiary does not have to go through probate court, which is why this process is faster than waiting for a will to be processed.

If there are multiple beneficiaries, each one receives their percentage of the account balance. The account is then closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the beneficiary have to be a family member?

No. You can name anyone as a beneficiary — a friend, a charity, a business partner, or anyone else. Chase does not restrict who you can name. You just need their full name, date of birth, and Social Security number or tax ID.

Can I name a beneficiary on a joint checking account?

Yes, but the rules are different. If the account is joint with your spouse, the account typically passes to them automatically when you die, regardless of who you name as beneficiary. Check with Chase about your specific account setup, as some joint accounts work differently.

What if I change my mind after adding a beneficiary?

You can remove or change a beneficiary anytime through the app, website, or at a branch. There is no penalty or waiting period. The change takes effect immediately, and you do not have to tell the beneficiary.

Does naming a beneficiary affect my will?

No. A beneficiary on your bank account is separate from your will. If your will says something different about who should get the money, the bank beneficiary takes priority. The account goes to the named beneficiary, not through your will.

Is there a fee to add a beneficiary?

No. Chase does not charge any fee to add, change, or remove a beneficiary on a checking account. It is a free service.