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 or visit a Chase branch in person. Over the phone, a representative will verify your identity, confirm you have no pending transactions, and process the closure. In a branch, a teller can do the same thing and hand you a check for any remaining balance on the spot. Both methods take about 10 to 15 minutes.
You can also close the account online through Chase's mobile app or website if you have no outstanding checks, automatic payments, or pending deposits. Log into your account, go to the account settings, and look for the option to close the account. Chase will walk you through a few confirmation screens and then deactivate the account within one business day.
Do not simply stop using the account and assume it closes on its own. Dormant accounts can trigger monthly maintenance fees, and Chase may eventually close it without your permission — but that does not happen quickly, and fees will pile up in the meantime.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-935-9935 or visit a branch to close your account; both methods take about 15 minutes and require you to verify your identity.
- You must have no pending checks, automatic bill payments, or scheduled deposits before closing, or Chase will refuse to process the request.
- Any remaining balance will be mailed to you as a check within 5 to 7 business days if you close by phone or online, or handed to you immediately if you close in a branch.
- Stop using the account and redirect direct deposits and automatic payments to your new bank before you call, so nothing bounces after closure.
What to do before you call Chase
Before you contact Chase, make sure your account is truly empty and clear of obligations. Check your balance online and confirm it is zero or close to it. If there is money left, you can transfer it to another account using Chase's online transfer tool, or withdraw it in cash at a branch or ATM.
Next, cancel or redirect any automatic payments that are set to come out of this account. Log into Chase and look at your bill pay history and scheduled transfers. If you have automatic bill payments set up — utilities, insurance, loan payments, subscriptions — move them to your new bank account before you close. The same goes for direct deposits from your employer or benefits. If a payment tries to post to a closed account, it will bounce, and you may face late fees or service interruptions.
Check for any outstanding checks you have written. If you wrote checks that have not cleared yet, wait until they do before closing, or contact Chase to place a stop payment on them. A check that arrives after your account is closed will bounce, and the recipient may charge you a returned-check fee.
What happens to your remaining balance
If your account has money in it when you close, Chase will send it to you. The method depends on how you close the account. If you close in a branch, the teller will give you a check or let you withdraw the cash immediately. If you close by phone or online, Chase will mail you a check to the address on file within 5 to 7 business days.
Make sure your mailing address is current before you close. Log into your Chase account and check the address listed under account settings. If it is wrong, update it before you call or visit the branch. If Chase mails a check to an old address and you do not receive it, you will have to contact Chase to request a replacement, which can take another week or two.
If your account is overdrawn — meaning you owe Chase money — you must pay the negative balance before closing. Chase will not close an account with a debt. You can pay online, by phone, or at a branch using a debit card or another bank account.
Timing and what to expect after closure
Once Chase processes your closure request, the account will be deactivated within one business day if you close online or by phone, or immediately if you close in a branch. You will no longer be able to use your debit card, write checks, or access the account online. Any pending transactions that have not yet posted will be rejected.
Chase will send you a final statement showing the closure date and any remaining balance. This statement will arrive by mail within 10 business days. Keep this statement for your records in case you need proof that the account was closed.
If you have a Chase credit card linked to this checking account, closing the checking account will not affect the credit card. The two are separate products and closing one does not close the other.
If you have a joint account
If the checking 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. Contact Chase with the other account holder present, or have them call separately to authorize the closure. If you and the other person disagree about closing the account, Chase will not proceed.
When a joint account closes, any remaining balance is typically split equally between the two owners unless you specify otherwise. Tell the Chase representative how you want the balance divided before the account is closed.
Closing a Chase savings account at the same time
If you also have a Chase savings account and want to close it, you can do both in one call or visit. Tell the representative you want to close both accounts. The process is the same: verify your identity, confirm no pending transactions, and receive your balance. If you have money in the savings account, it will be sent to you along with any remaining checking balance, either as separate checks or combined into one, depending on how Chase processes it.
If you are closing both accounts because you are leaving Chase entirely, make sure you have set up accounts at your new bank first. Do not close your Chase accounts until your new bank is ready to receive direct deposits and automatic payments.
What to do if Chase refuses to close your account
Chase may refuse to close your account if you have pending transactions, outstanding checks, or a negative balance. If this happens, ask the representative what is blocking the closure and what you need to do to clear it. Usually it is one of these three things: a check that has not cleared, a bill payment that is scheduled but not yet posted, or an overdraft.
If a check is the problem, wait a few more days for it to clear, then try again. If a bill payment is pending, cancel it and wait for confirmation that it has been cancelled before you call back. If you have an overdraft, pay it immediately using another account or a debit card.
In rare cases, Chase may flag an account for fraud or suspicious activity and refuse to close it until an investigation is complete. If this happens, ask how long the investigation will take and when you can try closing again. You can also ask to speak with a supervisor if you believe the hold is in error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my Chase account online?
Yes, if you have no pending checks, automatic payments, or scheduled deposits. Log into your Chase account or mobile app, go to account settings, and select the option to close the account. Chase will deactivate it within one business day. If you have any pending transactions, you must wait for them to clear or cancel them before closing online.
What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?
Chase will not close an account with a debt. You must pay the negative balance first using another bank account, a debit card, or cash at a branch. Once the balance is zero or positive, you can proceed with closing.
How long does it take to receive my remaining balance after closing?
If you close in a branch, you get your balance immediately as cash or a check. If you close by phone or online, Chase will mail a check to your address on file within 5 to 7 business days. Make sure your mailing address is current before you close.
Will closing my Chase checking account affect my credit score?
No. Closing a checking account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Only credit products like credit cards and loans show up on your credit history.
What if I close my account and then need to access it again?
Once an account is closed, it cannot be reopened. If you want to bank with Chase again, you will have to open a new account. You can do this online, by phone, or at a branch, and it usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.