How to add an authorized user or joint owner to your Chase account

You can add someone to your Chase account in two ways: as an authorized user or as a joint owner. An authorized user can use the account but does not own it and cannot close it or change account terms. A joint owner has full legal ownership and control, including the ability to withdraw all funds and close the account. Chase lets you add authorized users online or by phone, but adding a joint owner requires a visit to a branch or a call to verify identity.

The person you add must be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Chase will run a background check through ChexSystems, a banking history database, but this is not a credit check and will not affect your credit score.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorized users can use the account but do not own it; joint owners have full legal control and can withdraw all money or close the account.
  • You can add an authorized user online through Chase.com or by calling 1-800-935-9935, but adding a joint owner requires a branch visit or phone verification of identity.
  • The person you add must be 18 or older and have a Social Security number or ITIN; Chase will check their banking history but not their credit.
  • Authorized users appear on statements and can receive their own debit card, but the primary account holder remains responsible for all activity and fees.
  • You can remove an authorized user or joint owner at any time, but removing a joint owner may require both signatures or a branch visit depending on the account type.

Adding an authorized user online or by phone

If you want to add an authorized user, you can do this through Chase.com without visiting a branch. Log in to your account, go to Settings, select the account you want to modify, and look for "Authorized Users" or "Add User." Enter the person's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number or ITIN. Chase will verify this information and send a confirmation.

If you prefer to add an authorized user by phone, call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and speak with a representative. Have the person's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number or ITIN ready. The representative will walk you through the process and can answer questions about what the authorized user can and cannot do on the account.

Once added, the authorized user will receive a debit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. They can use this card to make purchases and withdraw cash, and they will see all transactions on the account statement. However, they cannot change the account password, add or remove other users, or close the account.

Adding a joint owner at a Chase branch

To add a joint owner, you must visit a Chase branch in person or complete the process by phone with identity verification. A joint owner has the same rights as you do: they can withdraw money, make transfers, change account settings, and close the account. Because of this, Chase requires both the account holder and the new joint owner to verify their identity.

Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and your Social Security number or ITIN. The new joint owner must also bring a photo ID and their Social Security number or ITIN. A Chase representative will verify both identities, explain the rights and responsibilities of joint ownership, and have both parties sign the necessary paperwork.

If you cannot visit a branch, you can add a joint owner by phone, but Chase will need to verify both identities through additional questions about your account history and personal information. This process typically takes longer than a branch visit.

What happens to the account after you add someone

Once someone is added as an authorized user or joint owner, they have immediate access to the account. If they are an authorized user, they can use the debit card and access the account online if you give them the login credentials, but they cannot change the password or account settings without your permission. If they are a joint owner, they can do everything you can do, including changing the password and removing you from the account.

Both authorized users and joint owners appear on the account statement and receive their own debit card. All transactions—deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and fees—are visible to everyone on the account. If the account earns interest, it accrues to the account as a whole, not to individual users.

You remain responsible for all account activity, overdraft fees, and negative balances, even if an authorized user or joint owner caused them. If someone on the account makes unauthorized transactions or the account is used for fraud, you are still liable unless you report it to Chase within the timeframe specified in your account agreement.

Removing an authorized user or joint owner

You can remove an authorized user at any time by logging into Chase.com, going to Settings, selecting the account, and clicking "Remove Authorized User." You can also call 1-800-935-9935 and ask a representative to remove them. The authorized user's debit card will stop working immediately, but they may still see past transactions if they have the account login credentials.

Removing a joint owner is more complicated because they have legal ownership rights. If the joint owner agrees to be removed, you can visit a branch or call Chase to process the removal. If the joint owner does not agree, you may need to close the account and open a new one, or you may need to pursue legal action. Some states have specific laws about removing a joint owner from a bank account, so the process may vary depending on where you live.

When you remove someone, Chase will not automatically notify them. If you remove an authorized user or joint owner, tell them directly so they know the card will no longer work and they no longer have access to the account.

Tax and legal considerations for joint accounts

A joint account is owned equally by both parties, regardless of who deposited the money. This means that if you die, the account automatically passes to the surviving joint owner—it does not go through your will or probate. This is called right of survivorship, and it applies to most Chase joint accounts unless you specify otherwise.

For tax purposes, the IRS does not care who owns a joint account; it cares who earned the money. If you deposit your paycheck into a joint account, you report that income on your tax return. If the other person deposits their paycheck, they report it. Interest earned on the account is reported by whoever's Social Security number is listed as the primary account holder, so make sure this is correct when you set up the account.

If you are adding a spouse, parent, or child to your account, consider whether you want them to have full ownership or just access. An authorized user is often the better choice if you want to give someone access without giving them legal ownership. A joint owner is the right choice if you want to share the account equally or if you want the account to pass to them automatically when you die.

What to do if something goes wrong

If an authorized user or joint owner makes a transaction you did not authorize, report it to Chase immediately. Call 1-800-935-9935 or visit a branch and explain what happened. Chase will investigate and may reverse the transaction if it was fraudulent. However, if the person on the account had legitimate access to the account, Chase may not reverse it—they may view it as an internal dispute between account holders rather than fraud.

If you suspect someone on your account is committing fraud or theft, you can remove them immediately and then file a police report. Keep records of all transactions and communications. If the person is a joint owner and refuses to be removed, contact a lawyer about your options; this may involve closing the account or pursuing a civil claim.

If you added someone by mistake or changed your mind, you can remove them right away. There is no waiting period or penalty for removing an authorized user. For joint owners, the process is slower, but you can still initiate removal by visiting a branch or calling Chase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to my account without them knowing?

You can add an authorized user without their knowledge, but they will find out when the debit card arrives in the mail or when they see the account statement. Adding a joint owner requires their presence at a branch or phone verification, so they must be involved in the process. It is not a good idea to add someone without their knowledge, as it can damage trust and create legal complications.

What is the difference between an authorized user and a joint owner?

An authorized user can use the account but does not own it and cannot close it or change account terms. A joint owner has full legal ownership and control. If you die, a joint account passes to the surviving joint owner automatically; an authorized user has no claim to the account. Choose an authorized user if you want to give someone access without giving them ownership.

Can I add someone who does not have a Social Security number?

Chase requires a Social Security number or ITIN to add someone to an account. If the person has an ITIN (issued by the IRS to non-citizens who file taxes), you can use that instead. If they have neither, they cannot be added as an authorized user or joint owner on a Chase account.

Will adding someone to my account affect my credit score?

No. Chase runs a background check through ChexSystems, which is a banking history database, not a credit bureau. This check will not appear on your credit report and will not affect your credit score. Adding an authorized user or joint owner is not a credit event.

Can I add a minor to my Chase account?

No. Chase requires anyone added to an account to be at least 18 years old. If you want to give a minor access to money, you can open a Chase student checking account or a custodial savings account designed for minors, where a parent or guardian has control until the child reaches a certain age.