What you need to do to open a joint account at Chase

To open a joint checking account at Chase, you and the other account owner must both visit a Chase branch in person with valid ID, or you can start the process online and finish it in a branch. Chase requires both people to provide government-issued photo identification, Social Security numbers, and proof of address (a recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement). You'll choose which account type you want—Chase offers several checking products with different fee structures and minimum balance requirements—and decide how the account will be owned (joint tenants with rights of survivorship is the default, meaning the surviving owner inherits the account if one dies).

The account opens the same day if you complete it in a branch, or within a few business days if you start online. Both owners can use the debit card and online banking immediately. Chase will run a ChexSystems check (a banking history report) on both of you; if either of you has unpaid overdrafts or fraud flags from another bank, Chase may deny the account or require you to resolve those issues first.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account owners must provide photo ID, Social Security number, and proof of address in person at a Chase branch or complete the online application and finish in-branch verification.
  • Chase runs a ChexSystems check on both owners, so unpaid overdrafts or fraud history at other banks can delay or block the account opening.
  • The account is active the same day if you complete it in a branch, or within a few business days if you start online.
  • Both owners have full access to the account, can withdraw money, and receive statements, unless you set spending limits through Chase's mobile app.
  • You can change ownership structure later (for example, to remove one owner) by visiting a branch with both owners present or by having one owner request the change with written consent from the other.

What documents and information to bring

Bring an original, unexpired government-issued photo ID for each owner—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Chase will not accept expired IDs or copies. You'll also need your Social Security number (or ITIN if you're not a U.S. citizen) and proof of your current address dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable proof includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or recent bank statement in your name.

If you're opening the account online first, you'll enter this information into Chase's application. When you go to the branch to verify, bring the original documents so the banker can confirm they match what you entered. If your address on your ID is outdated, bring both the ID and the proof-of-address document; Chase will update your address in their system during the appointment.

Choosing a Chase checking account type for joint ownership

Chase offers several checking accounts, and all of them can be opened as joint accounts. Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit; otherwise it's $12 per month. Chase Premier Plus Checking requires a higher minimum balance (typically $25,000 across your Chase accounts) but waives fees and offers higher interest rates. Chase Student Checking is available only if one owner is a student and has no monthly fee until age 25.

The main difference between accounts is the minimum balance requirement and whether you get interest on your balance. If you plan to keep a low balance and don't want to worry about fees, ask the banker which account has the lowest threshold for your situation. Both owners will see the same account balance and transaction history, and both can make deposits and withdrawals, so the choice is mainly about cost.

How both owners access the account

Once the account opens, both owners receive a debit card and can set up online banking and the Chase mobile app using their own login credentials. Each owner can see the full account balance, all transactions, and can transfer money in and out. Chase does not limit one owner's access based on who deposited the money—if one owner deposits a check, the other owner can withdraw it immediately (after the check clears, typically one business day).

Both owners receive statements by mail or email, depending on what you choose during setup. You can set up alerts on the mobile app so both owners get notified when the balance drops below a certain amount or when a large transaction occurs. If you want to restrict one owner's spending, you can set daily withdrawal or transfer limits through the app, but this requires the account owner whose limit you're setting to agree to it.

What happens if one owner wants to close or change the account

If one owner wants to remove themselves from the account, both owners must visit a Chase branch together, or the remaining owner can request the change with written consent from the departing owner. Chase will not close the account or remove an owner over the phone or through the app. The account stays open under the remaining owner's name, and any direct deposits or automatic payments linked to the account continue.

If one owner dies, the surviving owner becomes the sole owner automatically (assuming the account was set up as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, which is Chase's default). The surviving owner should notify Chase with a death certificate so Chase can update their records, but the account does not freeze or require probate. If you want a different ownership structure—for example, tenants in common, where each owner's share goes to their own estate—you must request this in writing at the time of account opening or during a branch visit.

Fees and minimum balance requirements

Chase Total Checking charges $12 per month unless you maintain a $500 minimum daily balance or receive at least one direct deposit per month. Overdraft fees are $35 per transaction if you spend more than your balance; Chase allows up to four overdraft fees per day. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals cost $3 (Chase reimburses out-of-network fees if you use a Chase ATM). There is no fee to add the second owner to the account, and both owners count toward the minimum balance requirement—if the account has $300 from one owner and $250 from the other, you meet the $500 minimum.

If you close the account within 60 days of opening it, Chase may charge a $25 early closure fee. This applies even if you close it because you changed your mind about the joint account structure. Ask the banker about the current fee schedule when you open the account, as fees can change.

What to do if Chase denies the joint account application

Chase will deny a joint account application if either owner has an active ChexSystems report showing unpaid overdrafts, fraud, or a history of closed accounts due to negative balances. You can request your own ChexSystems report for free at www.chexsystems.com to see what Chase sees. If there's an error on the report, you can dispute it directly with ChexSystems; they have 30 days to investigate.

If the denial is due to unpaid overdrafts at another bank, you can pay off the debt and ask that bank to remove the report from ChexSystems, then reapply to Chase after 30 days. Some Chase branches will open an account if one owner has a ChexSystems issue but the other owner's record is clean; ask the banker whether this is an option at your branch. If both owners are denied, you may need to use a second-chance checking account at another bank first, then transfer to Chase once your ChexSystems record clears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a joint account online without going to a branch?

You can start the application online, but you must finish it in a Chase branch in person. Chase requires both owners to show photo ID and proof of address to a banker before the account activates. This is a federal requirement for new accounts, not a Chase-only rule.

What if one owner lives in a different state?

Both owners must still visit a Chase branch in person. If one owner cannot travel, they can authorize the other owner to open the account on their behalf, but Chase requires a notarized power of attorney document and a copy of the absent owner's ID and proof of address. This process takes longer and may require approval from Chase's legal department.

Can I remove one owner from the account without closing it?

Yes. Both owners must visit a Chase branch together, or the remaining owner can submit a written request with the other owner's notarized consent. Chase will convert the account to a single-owner account under the remaining owner's name. The account number and routing number stay the same, so direct deposits and automatic payments do not need to be updated.

Do both owners need to be present to open the account?

Yes, both owners must be present in the branch with their own ID and proof of address. Chase will not open a joint account with only one owner present, even with a power of attorney. The exception is if you start the application online; then one owner can complete the in-branch verification while the other owner completes theirs at a different time, as long as both finish within 30 days.

What if one owner has a negative balance at another bank?

Chase will likely deny the application if either owner has an unpaid overdraft reported to ChexSystems. You can pay off the debt at the other bank, wait 30 days for ChexSystems to update, and reapply. Some Chase branches may open the account if only one owner has the issue, but this is at the banker's discretion.