The fastest way to close your account

Call Wells Fargo at 1-800-869-3557 and tell them you want to close your checking account. They will ask for your account number, verify your identity, and walk you through the steps on the phone. The account closes that day, though any pending transactions may still post for a few days after.

You can also close the account in person at any Wells Fargo branch. Bring your debit card and a photo ID. A banker will confirm you have no outstanding checks or automatic payments linked to the account, then process the closure. This takes about 10 minutes.

Online closure through Wells Fargo's website or mobile app is not available for checking accounts — you must call or visit a branch. If you have a savings account, you can close that online, but checking requires a phone call or in-person visit.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-869-3557 or visit a branch to close your checking account; online closure is not an option for checking.
  • Make sure any automatic bill payments or direct deposits linked to the account are moved to another bank before you close it.
  • Withdraw or transfer any remaining balance; Wells Fargo will not hold money after the account closes.
  • Pending transactions may post for several days after closure, so check your account online for a week afterward to confirm everything cleared.

What to do before you close the account

Stop all automatic payments and direct deposits at least one week before you close the account. Log into your Wells Fargo account online or call the number on the back of your debit card to see which companies are pulling money from this account. Contact each one — your employer, insurance company, utility, loan servicer — and give them your new bank account number if you are moving to another bank, or tell them to stop the payment if you are not.

Write down any checks you have outstanding. If you wrote a check that has not cleared yet, that check will bounce after the account closes. Call the person or company you wrote the check to and ask them to hold it or give them your new account number. If you cannot reach them, wait until the check clears before closing the account.

Transfer or withdraw your remaining balance. Wells Fargo will not send you money after the account closes. If you have another bank account, transfer the balance online or at a branch. If you do not have another account yet, withdraw the money in cash or ask Wells Fargo to issue a cashier's check.

What happens to your debit card

Your Wells Fargo debit card stops working the moment the account closes. If you have set up online bill pay through Wells Fargo, those payments will fail if they are scheduled after the closure date. If you have a Wells Fargo credit card, it is separate from your checking account and will not be affected.

Destroy your debit card after the account closes. Cut it in half or shred it so the card number cannot be used. Do not throw it in the trash whole.

Pending transactions and timing

Wells Fargo may take 5 to 10 business days to fully close the account after you request closure. During this time, transactions that were already in process — like a check you deposited or a charge that was pending — may still post to the account. This is normal and does not mean the account is still open.

After the account closes, you can still see the transaction history online for a limited time. Log in to your Wells Fargo account within 30 days of closure to download or screenshot any statements you need for your records. After 30 days, you may not be able to access the account online, though you can request old statements by calling 1-800-869-3557.

If you have a negative balance

If your account is overdrawn when you try to close it, Wells Fargo will not let you close until you pay the negative balance. Deposit money to bring the account to zero or positive, then request closure. If you do not pay the overdraft, Wells Fargo may send the debt to a collection agency.

If you have already closed the account and later discover an overdraft or fee posted after closure, call 1-800-869-3557 and explain the situation. Wells Fargo may reverse recent fees if you ask, but you are responsible for any actual overdraft amount.

Closing a joint account

If the checking account is in both your name and someone else's name, both account holders must request closure. Call Wells Fargo together or have the other person call separately and authorize the closure. Wells Fargo will not close a joint account if only one person asks.

Any remaining balance will be divided according to how the account was set up. If the account was set up as "and" (both names required to withdraw), Wells Fargo may require both people to be present to receive the balance. If it was set up as "or" (either person can withdraw), the person who requests closure can take the full balance.

What to do if you cannot reach Wells Fargo

If you call and wait on hold for more than 30 minutes, hang up and try again during a less busy time. Wells Fargo phone lines are typically less crowded early in the morning or late in the afternoon on weekdays. You can also visit a branch in person — no wait time is required if you go to the bank directly.

If you have a complaint about the closure process or believe Wells Fargo made an error, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints about banks and can force Wells Fargo to correct mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Wells Fargo checking account after I close it?

Yes. You can open a new checking account at Wells Fargo at any time after closure. However, if you closed the account because of a negative balance or fraud, Wells Fargo may decline to open a new account for you. Call 1-800-869-3557 to ask whether you are able to open a new account.

What if I closed my account but a company is still trying to charge it?

The charge will be rejected and returned to the company. The company may contact you asking for a new payment method. If you do not want to pay them, do not give them a new account number. If the debt is legitimate, they may send it to a collection agency.

Do I need to close my account in the same state where I opened it?

No. You can close your account by calling the main number or visiting any Wells Fargo branch anywhere in the country. The branch does not have to be in the state where you opened the account.

Will closing my checking account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit accounts like credit cards and loans, not checking or savings accounts.

How long does it take to get my money back after I close the account?

If you transfer the balance to another bank, it takes 1 to 3 business days. If you withdraw cash or get a cashier's check at the branch, you have the money immediately.