Call Chase or visit a branch to close your account

The fastest way to close a Chase checking account is to call Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935 and ask to speak with someone in account services. They will verify your identity, confirm you have no pending transactions, and close the account on the phone. The account closes immediately, though it can take five to seven business days for any remaining balance to be sent to you.

If you prefer to close the account in person, visit any Chase branch with a photo ID and your account number. A banker will process the closure and can issue you a check for any remaining balance on the spot. This is useful if you want to avoid waiting for a mailed check or if you have questions about outstanding transactions.

Online closure is not an option with Chase checking accounts. You must call or visit a branch. Do not simply stop using the account and assume it closes on its own — inactive accounts can still incur fees, and Chase may eventually close it, but the timeline is unpredictable.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-935-9935 or visit a Chase branch to close your account; online closure is not available.
  • Chase will verify your identity and confirm no pending transactions are tied to the account before closing it.
  • The account closes immediately, but a mailed refund of any remaining balance takes five to seven business days.
  • Stop automatic payments and direct deposits before you close the account, or they will fail and may trigger overdraft fees.
  • If you have an outstanding balance or owe Chase money, the account may not close until that is resolved.

Stop automatic payments and direct deposits first

Before you call or visit Chase, log into your account and review all automatic payments and recurring transfers. Any bill payment or subscription charge set to come out of this account will fail once the account closes, and the merchant may charge you a failed-payment fee. Contact each company directly — your utility, insurance provider, loan servicer, or subscription service — and update your payment method to a different account or card.

Do the same for direct deposits. If your paycheck, government benefits, or other regular deposits are set to land in this account, contact your employer or the benefit administrator and provide them with your new account number before the account closes. If a direct deposit arrives after the account is closed, Chase will return it to the sender, and you will have to contact them to resubmit it to the correct account.

Check your account for any pending transactions — checks you wrote that have not yet cleared, pending wire transfers, or holds on deposits. These can delay closure. Ask Chase customer service how long they expect pending items to clear, and close the account after that window has passed.

What happens to your remaining balance

If you have money left in the account when you close it, Chase will send it to you by check. The check is mailed to the address on file for your account, and it typically arrives within five to seven business days. If you are closing the account in person at a branch, you can ask the banker to issue the check immediately instead of waiting for it to be mailed.

If the remaining balance is very small — under $25 — some branches may offer to give it to you in cash on the spot. Ask when you visit or call. If you do not receive the check within ten business days, call Chase again and provide them with the date you closed the account; they can issue a replacement check or deposit the funds into another account you own.

Closing a joint account

If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must agree to close it. Chase will not close a joint account on the request of one person alone. Both of you can call together, or one person can call with written authorization from the other. The easiest route is to visit a branch together with both photo IDs and have the banker process the closure with both of you present.

When a joint account closes, any remaining balance is typically sent to the primary account holder's address on file, unless you specify otherwise. Discuss with your co-owner how you want to split the balance before you close the account, and ask the banker to note that in the account record.

Handling overdrafts and outstanding balances

If your account is overdrawn — meaning you owe Chase money — the account will not close until the negative balance is paid. You must deposit funds to bring the account to zero or positive before Chase will process the closure. If you owe money and do not pay it, Chase may close the account on their own and send you a bill for the amount owed.

If you have other debts to Chase — a loan, credit card, or line of credit — those do not prevent you from closing the checking account. The checking account and other products are separate. However, if you have set up automatic payments from this checking account to pay those other debts, update the payment method before you close the account, or those payments will fail.

Avoiding fees after closure

Some Chase checking accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee. Once the account is closed, no further fees should be charged. However, if a transaction posts after the account is closed — a delayed merchant charge, a returned check, or a reversal — Chase may reopen the account briefly to process it and charge you a fee. This is rare but can happen.

To avoid this, wait at least two weeks after your last transaction before closing the account. Review your recent statement to make sure all charges have posted and all checks have cleared. If you are unsure whether a pending transaction will clear, ask Chase customer service for an estimate before you close the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Chase checking account online?

No. Chase does not allow online closure of checking accounts. You must call 1-800-935-9935 or visit a branch in person. Some banks offer online closure, but Chase does not.

What if I have a negative balance when I try to close my account?

Chase will not close the account until the negative balance is paid. Deposit funds to bring the account to zero or positive, then request closure. If you do not pay, Chase may close the account on their own and bill you for the amount owed.

How long does it take to get my remaining balance after I close the account?

If you close by phone or mail, Chase mails a check within five to seven business days. If you close in person at a branch, ask the banker to issue a check immediately. If you do not receive it within ten business days, call Chase to request a replacement.

Will closing my Chase checking account hurt my credit?

No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score. Credit bureaus do not track checking accounts, only credit products like loans and credit cards. Closing a checking account is a routine banking action with no credit impact.

What if I close my account and then a bill payment bounces?

Update all automatic payments and subscriptions before you close the account. If a payment fails after closure, the merchant will charge you a failed-payment fee, and you will have to contact them to resubmit the payment from a different account. This is why stopping automatic payments first is important.