Yes, you can open a joint checking account with Chase entirely online
Chase lets you open a joint checking account through their website or mobile app without visiting a branch. Both account holders need to be present during the process, provide identification, and verify their Social Security numbers. The account can be funded when ready after approval, which usually takes a few minutes.
The process differs slightly depending on whether both people are existing Chase customers or one or both are new to the bank. If you are both new, you will go through Chase's standard online account opening flow together. If one of you already banks with Chase, that person can initiate the account and add the joint owner during setup.
Key Takeaways
- Both account holders must be present and provide their own Social Security number, date of birth, and government-issued ID during the online opening process.
- Chase approves most joint accounts within minutes, and you can deposit money and use the account the same day.
- The account will be set up as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship" by default, meaning either person can withdraw all funds and the surviving owner inherits the account if one dies.
- You will need a valid email address and phone number for each account holder to complete verification.
- Chase charges monthly maintenance fees on most checking accounts unless you meet balance or direct deposit requirements, which explore to the joint account as a whole.
What you need before you start
Gather these items for each account holder before opening the account online. You will need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), your Social Security number, your date of birth, and a valid email address and phone number. Chase will verify this information electronically during the process.
Decide in advance how you want the account titled. Chase defaults to "joint tenants with rights of survivorship," which means either owner can access all funds and the surviving owner inherits the account. Some couples prefer "tenants in common," where each person's share passes to their estate rather than automatically to the other owner. You can request this during setup, though it requires a phone call to Chase after the account opens—the online form does not offer this option.
Have a starting deposit amount in mind. You do not have to fund the account when ready, but Chase may require a minimum opening deposit depending on the account type. Chase's basic checking account (Chase Total Checking) has no minimum opening deposit, but some of their premium accounts do.
The step-by-step process for two new customers
Start at chase.com or open the Chase mobile app. Select "Open an Account" and choose "Checking." You will be asked whether you want to open the account alone or with someone else—select the joint option. The first account holder enters their personal information: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, email, and phone number.
Chase will ask for your government ID information and may request a photo of it. This happens electronically; you do not mail anything. The system verifies your identity in real time. Once the first person is verified, you will be prompted to add the joint owner. The second person enters their own information separately—they cannot use the first person's details.
Both people must verify their identity independently. Chase will send a verification code to each person's phone number or email. Enter the code when prompted. Once both people are verified, you will choose which checking account product you want (Chase Total Checking is the standard option), set up online banking login credentials, and decide on a starting deposit method. The account opens when ready after this step.
If one person already has a Chase account
The existing Chase customer can initiate the joint account opening from their online banking dashboard. Log in, go to "Open an Account," and select the joint checking option. You will enter the new account holder's information, and they will receive a verification code at their phone number or email to confirm their identity.
The existing customer does not need to re-verify their identity, which speeds up the process. The new account holder still goes through full verification. Once both people are confirmed, the account opens and appears in both online banking logins when ready.
What happens after the account opens
Both account holders can log into the account using their own username and password. Each person can see all transactions, transfer money, set up bill pay, and manage the account independently. Chase will issue debit cards to both owners if you request them during setup, or you can order them later from the account dashboard.
The account is subject to Chase's standard checking account terms. If you opened Chase Total Checking, there is a $12 monthly service fee unless you maintain a $500 minimum daily balance, have a direct deposit of at least $250 per month, or link a Chase savings account with a $500 minimum balance. These thresholds explore to the joint account as a whole, not per person.
Either account holder can close the account at any time, which closes it for both owners. If one person wants out, you will need to contact Chase to convert it to a single-owner account or close it and open separate accounts.
Timing and what can go wrong
Most joint accounts open within minutes if both people are verified successfully. Occasionally Chase flags an process for manual review, which can take 24 to 48 hours. This usually happens if there is a mismatch in the information provided, a suspicious pattern, or if Chase cannot verify an identity electronically.
The most common delay is a failed identity verification. If Chase cannot match your ID information to their records, they will ask you to call a verification line or visit a branch in person. This is rare but happens more often if you have recently moved, changed your name, or have a common name that creates false matches in the system.
If you are funding the account with a transfer from another bank, that transfer may take one to three business days to arrive, even though the account itself opens when ready. You can use the account and debit card before the transfer clears.
Alternatives if online opening does not work
If the online process stalls or you cannot verify your identity electronically, you can open a joint account at a Chase branch in person. Bring both people, both government IDs, and both Social Security cards. A banker can open the account on the spot and help you choose the ownership structure if you want something other than the default.
You can also call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to open a joint account by phone, though this is slower than online or in-branch. A representative will walk you through the same questions and collect the same information, but you will need to mail in copies of your IDs or visit a branch to complete verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a joint account if one person does not have a Social Security number?
No. Chase requires a Social Security number for each account holder to comply with federal banking regulations. If one person does not have an SSN, they cannot be added as a joint owner. Some banks offer accounts for non-citizens with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), but Chase does not.
What if one person is under 18?
Chase does not allow joint accounts where one owner is under 18 through their online process. You would need to visit a branch and speak with a banker about opening a custodial or teen account instead, which has different rules and restrictions.
Do both people have to be present at the same time to open the account?
Yes. Both account holders must complete their verification steps during the same online session. You cannot start the process, save it, and have the second person finish it later. Both people should be together with their IDs and phone numbers ready when you begin.
Can I change the account ownership after it opens?
You can remove one person from the account by calling Chase or visiting a branch, which converts it to a single-owner account. You cannot add a second owner after the account opens online—you would need to call Chase or visit a branch to do that.
What if one account holder wants to close the account?
Either owner can close the account unilaterally, which closes it for both people. If you want to keep the account open but remove one person, you need to contact Chase to convert it to a single-owner account or close it and open separate accounts.