Yes, you can open a joint Chase account online, but you and your co-owner must do it together in real time

Chase lets you start a joint checking or savings account through their website or mobile app without visiting a branch. Both account owners need to be present at the same time during the process — you cannot complete it alone and add someone later. You will each need a valid government ID, a Social Security number, and an initial deposit (the amount varies by account type).

The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes once you both sit down together. Chase will verify your identity using information from your credit report, and you will choose how the account operates — specifically, whether both owners must sign off on large withdrawals or whether either owner can move money without the other's permission.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account owners must be present and online at the same time to open a joint account; Chase will not let one person start it and add a co-owner afterward.
  • You will each need a valid government-issued ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit amount that depends on the account type you choose.
  • During setup, you decide whether the account requires both signatures for withdrawals or allows either owner to move money independently.
  • Chase verifies your identity using your credit report, so the process is fastest if both of you have established credit history with the bank or other lenders.

What you need before you start

Gather these items before you and your co-owner sit down together. Each of you will need a valid government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Chase will ask you to confirm information from the ID during the online process.

You will also each need your Social Security number. Chase uses this to check your credit history and verify your identity. Have this ready but do not share it through email or text; you will enter it directly into the Chase website during your session together.

Finally, prepare your initial deposit. The minimum amount depends on which account you choose — Chase offers different checking and savings products, each with its own opening deposit requirement. Check the Chase website before you start to confirm the minimum for the account type you want.

The step-by-step process

Start at chase.com or in the Chase mobile app. Look for the option to open a new account and select "Joint Account." Chase will ask you to enter the primary account holder's information first — name, address, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Next, you will add the co-owner's information. This is where both of you need to be present: Chase will ask the co-owner to verify their identity using their own ID and to confirm their Social Security number. The system may ask security questions based on your credit history to confirm you are who you say you are.

Once both of you have verified your identity, Chase will show you the account terms and ask you to choose how the account will work. This is the ownership structure — you will decide whether withdrawals require both owners' approval or whether either owner can withdraw money without permission. Read this section carefully, because it affects how you and your co-owner can use the account.

After you both agree to the terms, you will set up online banking access and choose a PIN. Chase will then ask for your initial deposit information — either a bank transfer from another account or a debit card. The account usually opens within one business day.

Ownership structures and what they mean

Chase offers two main ways to structure a joint account. The first is joint tenants with rights of survivorship (often called JTWROS). With this structure, both owners have equal access to all the money in the account. Either owner can withdraw funds, make transfers, or close the account without the other's permission. If one owner dies, the surviving owner automatically inherits the full balance.

The second structure is tenants in common. This is less common for joint bank accounts but is available. With this structure, each owner has a separate legal claim to their share of the money. If one owner dies, their share goes to their estate, not automatically to the surviving owner. Either owner can still withdraw money during both their lifetimes.

Most couples and family members choose JTWROS because it is simpler and because the automatic inheritance feature avoids probate. Business partners or people splitting shared expenses often choose tenants in common to keep their ownership stakes separate. Ask yourself which structure matches your situation before you start the process.

What happens if you cannot both be online at the same time

If you and your co-owner cannot sit down together to open the account online, you have two other options. You can visit a Chase branch in person — both of you will need to go together, and a banker will help you open the account on a computer or tablet in the branch. This takes about 20 minutes and does not require you to have already set up online banking.

You can also call Chase at the phone number on the back of a Chase card (if you already have one) or look up the customer service number on chase.com. A representative can walk you through the process over the phone, though you will still need to verify your identity and may need to visit a branch to complete it.

Identity verification and why it takes time

Chase uses a system called knowledge-based authentication to verify who you are. During the online process, the system will ask you questions about your credit history — things like "which of these addresses have you lived at" or "which of these car loans did you take out." You answer based on information in your credit report.

This verification usually happens when ready, but sometimes Chase cannot verify you this way — for example, if you have no credit history or if you have recently moved. If that happens, Chase will ask you to visit a branch in person with your ID, or they may mail you a verification code. This can add several days to the process.

If you are new to the United States or have limited credit history, bring your ID to a branch instead of trying online. A banker can verify your identity directly and open the account on the spot, which is often faster than waiting for the online system to process your information.

After your account opens

Once Chase confirms your account is open, you will both receive debit cards in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up mobile banking right away and start transferring money into the account before the cards arrive.

Both owners will have full access to online banking and the mobile app. You can each see the full balance, transaction history, and pending transfers. If you set the account to require both signatures for large withdrawals, that restriction applies only to in-person withdrawals at a branch — online transfers and debit card purchases do not require dual approval, even if you chose that option.

If you need to change the account structure later — for example, to add restrictions on withdrawals or to change who can close the account — you will need to visit a Chase branch or call customer service. You cannot make these changes online after the account is open.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my co-owner does not have a Social Security number?

Chase requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for each account owner. If your co-owner has an ITIN, you can use that instead. If they have neither, you will need to visit a branch in person to discuss other options with a banker.

Can I open a joint account if one of us has bad credit?

Chase does not deny joint accounts based on credit score alone. However, if the identity verification system cannot confirm your information, you may need to visit a branch with your ID. Bad credit does not prevent you from opening a joint account, but it may slow down the online process.

What happens if we want to close the joint account later?

Either owner can close a joint account online or at a branch. The remaining balance will be split according to your account structure — if you chose JTWROS, the person who closes it controls where the money goes, so discuss this beforehand. If you chose tenants in common, each owner's share goes to them separately.

Do we each get our own debit card?

Yes. Chase will mail a debit card to each account owner at the address on file. Both cards draw from the same account balance, so you are sharing the same money — there is no separate balance for each card.

Can we set up the account so one person controls spending?

Not through the standard joint account options. If you want one person to control how money is spent, you would need a different account structure — for example, one person could be the primary account holder and the other could be an authorized user with limited access. Talk to a Chase banker about whether this setup works for your situation.