You cannot open a joint Chase account entirely online, but you can start the process and finish it in a branch or by phone

Chase does not allow you to complete a joint account opening through their website alone. You will need to visit a branch in person or call to verify both account holders' identities and signatures. The online process can collect your information and let you choose the account type, but the final step requires a Chase banker to confirm who you are and who the co-owner is.

This is different from opening a single account online, which Chase does allow. The difference exists because joint accounts create legal obligations for both people on the account, and Chase requires direct verification before activating it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start a joint account process online through Chase.com, but you must complete it in a branch or by phone with a banker present.
  • Both account holders must provide government-issued ID and a Social Security number or ITIN before the account opens.
  • Chase offers several joint account types online: checking, savings, and money market accounts, each with different fees and minimum balances.
  • The entire process from start to finish typically takes one to three business days once both people have been verified.

What happens when you start the process online

When you go to Chase.com and select "Open an account," you will see an option for joint accounts. The online form asks for the primary account holder's name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number or ITIN. You will also enter the co-owner's name and basic information.

At this stage, Chase is not verifying anyone. The system is collecting data and letting you choose between checking, savings, or money market accounts. You can see the monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, and interest rates for each option before you commit. Once you submit the form, Chase sends you a confirmation and next steps.

The process does not ask you to sign anything online or to confirm the co-owner's consent. That is why it cannot be completed online—Chase needs both people present or on the phone to confirm they actually want this account together.

How to finish the account opening in a branch

After you submit the online process, you and the co-owner must visit a Chase branch together. Bring a government-issued ID for each person—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will also need your Social Security number or ITIN.

A Chase banker will pull up your process, verify both IDs against the names and dates of birth you entered online, and confirm that both of you want to open the account. They will have you sign the account agreement and any other required documents. This is the moment the account becomes real and active.

If you cannot both visit a branch at the same time, you can call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 instead. A banker can verify both of you over the phone using the same documents. Some branches also offer video verification, though availability varies by location.

What documents and information you need

Each account holder must provide a government-issued photo ID. Chase accepts U.S. driver's licenses, state ID cards, passports, and military IDs. The ID must not be expired, though Chase may accept IDs that expired during the pandemic—call ahead to confirm your specific situation.

You will also need a Social Security number or ITIN for each person. If either account holder does not have a Social Security number, Chase can open the account with an ITIN, which is issued by the IRS to people who file taxes but do not have a Social Security number.

Bring proof of your current address if your ID does not show it. A recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement works. Chase uses this to verify you live where you say you do.

Joint account types Chase offers online

Chase offers three main joint account types through their online process: Chase Total Checking, Chase Savings, and Chase Money Market Account. Each has different fees and minimum balance requirements.

Chase Total Checking 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. Chase Savings has no monthly fee regardless of balance. Chase Money Market Account requires a $25,000 minimum balance and charges $25 per month if you fall below it.

Interest rates on savings and money market accounts change based on the Federal Reserve's rate decisions. Check Chase.com for current rates before you explore, since they vary month to month.

Timing: how long the process takes

If you submit the online process on a weekday and visit a branch the same day or the next day, the account can be open and ready to use within 24 hours. If you call instead of visiting a branch, the timeline is similar—verification happens on the phone, and the account activates the same day or the next business day.

If you submit the process on a Friday evening and cannot visit a branch until Monday, the account will not open until Monday afternoon at the earliest. Weekends and bank holidays pause the process.

Once the account is open, you can use the debit card within one to three business days if you order one at the branch. If you need when ready access, ask the banker about temporary card options or transferring money from another account.

What happens to the money if one owner dies or you split up

A joint account means both people own all the money in it. If one owner dies, the surviving owner keeps the full balance. The money does not go through probate or the deceased person's will—it passes directly to the survivor.

If you and the co-owner split up or have a dispute, either person can withdraw all the money without the other's permission. Chase does not freeze joint accounts or require both signatures for withdrawals. If you want to separate finances, you will need to close the joint account and open individual accounts instead.

You can close a joint account anytime by visiting a branch, calling Chase, or using the Chase mobile app. Both owners do not need to agree—one person can close it unilaterally. If there is money in the account, you will need to decide how to split it before closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a joint account if the co-owner lives in a different state?

Yes. You can both visit a Chase branch in either state, or you can call Chase and complete the verification over the phone. Chase operates nationwide, so the co-owner does not need to live near a branch. Phone verification is often faster if you live far apart.

What if the co-owner cannot provide a Social Security number?

Chase will accept an ITIN instead. An ITIN is issued by the IRS and is used for tax purposes. You will need to provide the ITIN number during the process, and the co-owner will need to bring documentation from the IRS when you visit the branch or call to verify.

Do both people need to be present when we open the account?

Yes, either in person at a branch or both on a phone call with a Chase banker. Chase will not open a joint account with only one person present. This is a legal requirement to confirm both people consent to the account.

Can I change a single account to a joint account later?

No. You cannot convert an existing individual account to a joint account. You will need to close the individual account and open a new joint account. Any money in the individual account can be transferred to the new joint account once it opens.

What fees should I expect on a joint checking account?

Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you keep a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit. If you do not meet either condition, the fee is $12 per month. Overdraft fees, ATM fees outside the Chase network, and other charges explore the same way they do to individual accounts.