You can name a beneficiary on your Chase checking account through online banking, by phone, or in person at a branch

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 most checking accounts. The process is straightforward and takes about 10 minutes if you do it online. You do not need to change your will or create new legal documents — the beneficiary designation is separate from your estate plan and works alongside it.

The money passes to your beneficiary outside of probate, which means it reaches them faster than money left through a will. Chase does not charge a fee to add or change a beneficiary.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add a beneficiary online through Chase.com, by calling 1-800-935-9935, or by visiting a Chase branch in person.
  • You will need the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number or tax ID to complete the process.
  • Money left to a beneficiary passes directly to them and does not go through probate, but it is still part of your taxable estate.
  • You can name multiple beneficiaries and decide what percentage of the account each one receives.
  • Changing or removing a beneficiary can be done anytime through the same methods you used to add them.

Adding a beneficiary online through Chase.com

Log into your Chase account and go to the account details page for the checking account you want to add a beneficiary to. Look for a link or tab labeled "Beneficiaries" or "Transfer on Death" — the exact wording varies by account type. Click it and select "Add Beneficiary."

Enter the beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number. If the person does not have a Social Security number, you can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Chase will ask you to confirm the relationship (spouse, child, parent, other) and decide what percentage of the account that person receives. If you are naming multiple beneficiaries, the percentages must add up to 100 percent. Review the information, confirm it is correct, and submit.

You will receive a confirmation email. The beneficiary designation takes effect immediately, though Chase may take a few business days to process it on their end. You do not need to tell the beneficiary you named them, but it is a good idea to do so and to let them know where important documents are kept.

Adding a beneficiary by phone or in person

Call Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935 and tell them you want to add a beneficiary to your checking account. Have your account number and the beneficiary's information ready: full name, date of birth, and Social Security number or ITIN. The representative will walk you through the process and confirm the details before submitting the request.

You can also visit a Chase branch and speak to a banker in person. Bring your ID and the beneficiary's information. The banker can add the beneficiary on the spot or submit the request for you. This method is useful if you want to discuss options or if you have questions about how the designation works.

What information you need for each beneficiary

Chase requires the following for each person you name:

  • Full legal name (as it appears on their birth certificate or ID)
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
  • Relationship to you (optional but helpful for Chase's records)
  • The percentage of the account they should receive

If you do not have the beneficiary's Social Security number, you can ask them for it or use their ITIN. Chase will not process the request without one of these identifiers. If the beneficiary is a minor, you can still name them, but the money will be held in trust or managed by a court-appointed guardian until they reach the age of majority in your state.

How beneficiary designations work with your will and estate

A beneficiary designation on your Chase account overrides what your will says about that account. If your will leaves the checking account to your child but you name your spouse as the beneficiary on the account itself, your spouse gets the money. This is true even if your will says otherwise.

The money in the account still counts as part of your taxable estate for federal and state tax purposes, so it may affect estate taxes if your estate is large. It does not, however, go through probate — the court process that handles most of your other assets. This means the beneficiary can access the money faster, usually within a few weeks of providing Chase with a death certificate.

If you name a minor as a beneficiary and you die before they turn 18, Chase will hold the money until they reach adulthood or until a court appoints a guardian to manage it. Check your state's laws about how this works, as rules vary.

Changing or removing a beneficiary

You can change your beneficiary anytime through the same methods you used to add them. Log into Chase.com, call 1-800-935-9935, or visit a branch. Find the beneficiary you want to change and select "Edit" or "Remove." If you are removing someone, Chase will ask you to confirm. If you are changing the percentage they receive or replacing them with someone else, enter the new information and submit.

The change takes effect immediately online, though Chase may take a few business days to update their records. If you want to remove all beneficiaries, you can do that too — the account will then pass through your will or to your estate if you do not have a will.

What happens if you name multiple beneficiaries

You can name as many beneficiaries as you want on a single checking account. Each one gets the percentage you assign them. For example, you could name your two children as 50 percent each, or your spouse as 60 percent and your three children as 13 percent, 13 percent, and 14 percent.

When you die, Chase will divide the account balance according to the percentages you set. If the account has $10,000 and you named two beneficiaries at 50 percent each, each person gets $5,000. The money is paid out after Chase receives a death certificate and verifies the beneficiary's identity.

If one of your beneficiaries dies before you do, that person's share goes to your estate unless you have named a contingent beneficiary. A contingent beneficiary is a backup — they receive money only if the primary beneficiary has already died. Chase allows you to name contingent beneficiaries as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I name someone who is not a U.S. citizen as a beneficiary?

Yes. Chase requires a Social Security number or ITIN, but citizenship is not a requirement. If the person does not have a Social Security number, they can obtain an ITIN from the IRS. You will need their ITIN to complete the beneficiary form.

What if I want to change my beneficiary after I get married or divorced?

You can change your beneficiary anytime. Log into Chase.com or call 1-800-935-9935 and update the information. There is no waiting period or legal requirement to change it — you can do it immediately. Some people update their beneficiaries after major life events, so this is a common request.

Does naming a beneficiary affect my account during my lifetime?

No. The beneficiary has no access to the account while you are alive. They cannot see the balance, make withdrawals, or use the debit card. The designation only takes effect after you die. You keep full control of the account and can spend, transfer, or close it whenever you want.

What if I die without naming a beneficiary?

The money in the account becomes part of your estate and passes according to your will. If you do not have a will, your state's intestacy laws determine who gets it — usually your spouse, then your children, then your parents. This process goes through probate, which takes longer than a beneficiary designation.

Can I name my estate or a charity as a beneficiary?

Chase allows you to name a charity as a beneficiary if you provide their tax ID number. Naming your estate directly is not typically an option through the beneficiary form, but you can accomplish the same thing by not naming a beneficiary — the account will then pass through your will or estate plan.