What you need to open a Chase checking account

Chase lets you open a checking account online, by phone, or in a branch. You will need a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit (the amount varies by account type, but many accounts have no minimum). If you are opening online, you can complete the whole process in about 10 minutes. If you go to a branch, bring your ID and be ready to fund the account that day.

Chase offers several checking account types: Chase Total Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, and Chase Sapphire Checking. Each has different monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, and rewards. Total Checking is the most common choice for everyday banking and has no monthly fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit. If you do not meet either condition, the fee is $12 per month.

You will also need a current mailing address and a phone number. If you are opening an account for someone under 18, a parent or guardian must be present or complete the application with you.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a photo ID, Social Security number, and an initial deposit to open a Chase checking account online or in a branch.
  • Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you keep a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit; otherwise the fee is $12 per month.
  • Online account opening takes about 10 minutes and you can start using your account the same day in most cases.
  • Chase will run a ChexSystems check (a banking history report) as part of the approval process, and a prior banking issue may delay or prevent approval.

Opening an account online

Go to chase.com and click "Open an Account" or "Checking" in the main menu. Select the account type you want and click "Open Online." You will be asked to enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, phone number, and email. Have your ID ready because Chase will ask you to verify your identity by taking a photo of it with your phone or computer.

After identity verification, you will choose a username and password, review the account terms, and set up your initial deposit. You can fund the account by linking an external bank account (ACH transfer, which takes one to two business days) or by debit card (instant). Once you submit the application, Chase will run a ChexSystems check, which is a report of your banking history. Most people are approved within minutes; some take a few hours.

If you are approved, you will receive a confirmation email with your account number. Your debit card will arrive by mail in seven to 10 business days. Until it arrives, you can use your account number to set up direct deposit or transfer money, and you can access your account through the Chase mobile app or website.

Opening an account in a Chase branch

Bring your photo ID, Social Security number, and initial deposit to any Chase branch during business hours. A banker will walk you through the account application, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You will provide the same information as the online process: name, address, phone, email, and Social Security number. The banker will verify your identity in person and run the ChexSystems check while you wait.

Most people are approved on the spot. You can fund the account with cash, a check, or a debit card at that time. The banker will give you a temporary debit card or a card number you can use immediately, and your permanent card will arrive by mail in seven to 10 business days. If you want to set up direct deposit, the banker can help you with that before you leave.

What happens if you are not approved

Chase may decline your application if the ChexSystems check shows a history of overdrafts, unpaid fees, fraud, or other banking problems. If this happens, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason. You have the right to request a copy of your ChexSystems report from the reporting agency (usually Early Warning Services) and dispute any errors on it.

If you are declined, you can reapply after addressing the issue on your report — for example, by paying off an old overdraft or resolving a dispute. Some people in this situation open an account at a bank that does not use ChexSystems or that has a second-chance checking program. Chase does not currently offer a second-chance account, but other banks do.

Setting up direct deposit and online banking

Direct deposit is the easiest way to waive Chase Total Checking's monthly fee. Ask your employer's payroll department for the direct deposit form, or log into your employer's payroll system and enter your Chase account number and routing number (which is 021000021 for all Chase accounts). Direct deposit usually takes one to two pay periods to set up.

Once your account is open, download the Chase mobile app or log into chase.com to set up online banking. You will create a username and password (or use your existing Chase login if you have other accounts with them). From there, you can transfer money between accounts, pay bills, deposit checks by taking a photo, and set up alerts for low balances or large transactions.

Monthly fees and how to avoid them

Chase Total Checking charges $12 per month unless you meet one of two conditions: maintain a $500 minimum balance in the account, or set up direct deposit. If you do both, the fee is waived. The balance requirement is checked at the end of each business day, so you need to stay above $500 every day of the month to avoid the fee.

Chase Premier Plus Checking has a $25 monthly fee and requires a $15,000 minimum balance. It includes benefits like higher interest rates, fee waivers at other banks, and travel perks. Chase Sapphire Checking has a $25 monthly fee and a $20,000 minimum balance, and it is designed for customers who also have a Chase investment account.

If you do not want to maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit, consider whether the account's other features (like ATM access, mobile deposit, or bill pay) are worth the monthly fee to you. Many people find that direct deposit is the easiest path to a free account.

Using your account after opening

Once your account is open, you can use your account number to set up direct deposit, receive wire transfers, or link the account to payment apps like Venmo or PayPal. Your debit card will arrive in seven to 10 business days and can be used at any ATM or store that accepts Visa. Chase has over 4,700 ATMs nationwide, and you can withdraw cash at no fee from any of them.

You can also set up bill pay through your Chase account to send checks or electronic payments to almost any business. Transfers between your own Chase accounts are instant. Transfers to other banks (ACH) take one to two business days. If you need to dispute a transaction or report fraud, you can do that through the app or by calling the number on the back of your debit card.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to open a Chase checking account?

Online account opening takes about 10 minutes, and you are usually approved within minutes to a few hours. In a branch, the process takes 15 to 20 minutes and you are approved on the spot. Your debit card arrives by mail in seven to 10 business days, but you can use your account immediately through the app or website.

What is the minimum deposit to open a Chase checking account?

Chase does not publish a specific minimum deposit amount for most checking accounts. In practice, you can open an account with as little as $25, though some branches or account types may have different requirements. Ask when you apply or call 1-800-935-9935 to confirm.

Can I open a Chase checking account if I have been declined before?

If you were declined due to a ChexSystems issue, you can request a copy of your report and dispute any errors. Once you resolve the issue (such as paying off an old overdraft), you can reapply. If Chase declines you again, you may need to wait a period of time or open an account at a different bank.

Do I need to have another Chase account to open checking?

No. You can open a Chase checking account as your first account with the bank. You do not need to have a savings account, credit card, or any other Chase product.

What if I want to close my Chase checking account later?

You can close your account online, by phone at 1-800-935-9935, or in a branch. Make sure you have withdrawn all your money and paid any outstanding checks or transfers. Chase will not charge a fee to close the account, but if you close it within 90 days of opening, they may flag it as suspicious activity.