Wire transfers from Chase work through two channels: Chase Online or a Chase branch
You can wire money from a Chase checking or savings account in two ways. The fastest is Chase Online (or the Chase mobile app), where you initiate the transfer yourself and it typically leaves your account the same business day. The second is to visit a Chase branch in person and ask a banker to process it for you. Both routes cost the same: Chase charges $15 for domestic wires (money staying within the US) and $45 for international wires (money going to another country).
The wire leaves your account immediately once it processes. You cannot cancel it after it has been sent, so you need the recipient's information correct before you confirm. If the recipient's bank details are wrong, the money may be returned to you after several days, or it may be held by the receiving bank while they try to locate the account. There is no fraud protection on wire transfers the way there is on credit cards or debit cards.
Key Takeaways
- Chase charges $15 for domestic wires and $45 for international wires, and the fee comes out of your account at the time you send.
- Wires sent through Chase Online or the app typically leave the same business day if you send before the cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. Eastern).
- You need the recipient's full name, account number, and routing number for domestic wires, or SWIFT code and IBAN for international wires.
- Once a wire is sent, you cannot cancel it, so verify all recipient details before you confirm the transfer.
- If you are unsure about the recipient's information, a Chase banker can help you gather it before you wire, and can also process the wire for you at a branch.
Setting up a domestic wire through Chase Online
Log into Chase Online or open the Chase mobile app and navigate to the "Transfer Money" or "Send Money" section. Select "Wire Transfer" and choose "Domestic" if the money is going to a US bank account. Enter the recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their account, their account number, and their bank's routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank; you can ask the recipient for it, or search for it on the receiving bank's website.
Enter the amount you want to wire and add a reference or memo if you want (this is optional and helps the recipient know what the money is for). Review all the details carefully — especially the account number and routing number — because once you confirm, the wire cannot be stopped. Chase will show you the $15 fee before you submit. After you confirm, the wire typically processes the same business day if you send before 2 p.m. Eastern time. If you send after that time or on a weekend, it will process the next business day.
Setting up an international wire through Chase Online
International wires require more information because the money crosses borders and multiple banks may handle it. Log into Chase Online or the app, select "Wire Transfer," and choose "International." You will need the recipient's full name, their account number, and their bank's SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies banks internationally). Some countries also require an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which is a longer code that includes the country, bank, and account information.
Ask the recipient for their SWIFT code and IBAN, or they can find it on their bank statement or by contacting their bank directly. Enter the amount and the country where the money is going. Chase will charge $45 and show you the fee before you submit. International wires typically take one to three business days to arrive, depending on the receiving country and bank. Some countries have additional requirements or restrictions, so if Chase rejects your wire, contact a Chase banker to find out what information is missing.
Sending a wire in person at a Chase branch
Walk into any Chase branch with your ID and tell the banker you want to send a wire transfer. Bring the recipient's information with you: their full name, account number, and routing number (for domestic) or SWIFT code and IBAN (for international). The banker will fill out the wire form with you, verify all the details, and process the transfer. This route takes longer than doing it online — usually 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the branch is — but it is useful if you are unsure about the recipient's information or if you want someone to double-check before the wire goes out.
The banker can also help you look up a routing number or SWIFT code if you do not have it. The $15 or $45 fee still applies and will be deducted from your account. The wire will process the same business day if you send before the branch's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. Eastern), or the next business day if you send after.
What happens if the wire goes to the wrong account
If you wire money to an incorrect account number or routing number, the receiving bank may reject it and send it back to your Chase account. This can take three to five business days. If the receiving bank accepts the wire but the account number does not match the name you provided, the bank may hold the money while they investigate, or they may send it back. In either case, you will eventually get the money back, but it can take a week or more.
If the money goes to the wrong person and they withdraw it, Chase cannot recover it for you. This is why wire transfers are considered high-risk for fraud — there is no chargeback process like there is with credit cards. Always confirm the recipient's account number and routing number directly with them before you send, and ask them to confirm they received it shortly after it processes.
Tracking your wire transfer
After you send a wire through Chase Online or the app, you will receive a confirmation number. Save this number — you will need it if you have to contact Chase about the wire later. Log back into Chase Online or the app and look for the wire in your transaction history. It will show as "pending" until it processes, then as "completed" once it has left your account.
For domestic wires, the money usually arrives at the recipient's bank the same business day. For international wires, it can take one to three business days. If the wire does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact Chase customer service with your confirmation number. They can check the status with the receiving bank and tell you whether the wire has been delivered, rejected, or is still in transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?
No. Once a wire transfer has been sent from your Chase account, it cannot be canceled or stopped. This is why you need to verify all recipient information before you confirm. If you realize you made a mistake immediately after sending, contact Chase right away with your confirmation number — in rare cases, they may be able to intercept it before it reaches the receiving bank, but this is not may provide.
How long does a wire transfer take?
Domestic wires typically arrive the same business day if you send before 2 p.m. Eastern. International wires usually take one to three business days, depending on the receiving country and bank. Weekends and holidays can add extra time.
What is the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?
A wire transfer is faster and more expensive ($15 domestic, $45 international) and cannot be reversed. An ACH transfer is slower (one to three business days) and cheaper or free, but can be disputed or reversed within a certain window. Use a wire when you need money to arrive quickly or when the recipient requires it. Use ACH for routine bills or transfers where speed is not critical.
Do I need a Chase account to receive a wire transfer?
No. The recipient needs a bank account at any US bank (for domestic wires) or any bank worldwide (for international wires), but it does not have to be Chase. You just need their account number and routing number (or SWIFT code and IBAN for international).
What if Chase rejects my wire transfer?
Chase may reject a wire if the recipient's information is incomplete or incorrect, if your account does not have enough funds, or if the wire violates banking regulations. If your wire is rejected, Chase will notify you and the money will stay in your account. Contact Chase customer service to find out why it was rejected and what information you need to correct before trying again.