You can open most Chase accounts online in about 10 minutes, but what you can open depends on what you already have

Chase lets you open a checking or savings account through their website or mobile app without visiting a branch. The process is straightforward: you provide your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and initial deposit information, then sign documents electronically. Most accounts are ready to use the same day or within one business day.

The catch is that Chase has different rules depending on whether you are a new customer or already have an account with them. If you have never banked with Chase, you can open a checking account, savings account, or both online. If you already have a Chase account, opening additional accounts online is usually faster because Chase already has your information on file.

Some account types—like certain business accounts or accounts that require a large opening deposit—still require a phone call or branch visit. But for personal checking and savings accounts, the online path works.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase checking and savings accounts can be opened online through their website or app in about 10 minutes, with the account active the same day or next business day.
  • You will need a valid government ID, Social Security number, current address, and an initial deposit method (debit card, bank transfer, or wire).
  • New Chase customers can open accounts online; existing customers can open additional accounts online even faster since Chase already has their identity verified.
  • Some account types, including most business accounts and accounts requiring deposits over $25,000, require a phone call or branch visit instead.
  • Chase will perform a soft credit check and check ChexSystems (a banking history database), but these do not affect your credit score.

What you need before you start

Gather these items before you begin: a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), your Social Security number, your current address, and a way to fund the account. Chase accepts debit cards, existing bank accounts (for transfers), or wire transfers as opening deposits. The minimum opening deposit varies by account type—typically $0 for some checking accounts and $25 for savings accounts, though this changes periodically.

Have your ID physically available. Chase will ask you to verify your identity by taking a photo of your ID with your phone or computer camera, or by answering security questions based on your credit history. If you choose the photo route, make sure the lighting is clear and all four corners of your ID are visible.

The online account opening process, step by step

Start at chase.com or open the Chase mobile app. Look for "Open an Account" or "New Customer" (the exact link changes, but it is usually on the homepage). Select the account type you want—checking, savings, or both. Chase will then ask for your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, phone number, and email.

Next comes identity verification. Chase will either ask you to photograph your ID or answer questions about your credit history (such as "Which of these addresses have you lived at?"). The photo method is usually faster. After verification, you will choose your opening deposit method. If you use a debit card, the deposit posts when ready. If you transfer from another bank account, it typically takes one to two business days.

Finally, you will review and electronically sign the account agreement and deposit account agreement. Chase sends these as PDF documents you can read on screen. Once you sign, the account is created. You can usually start using it the same day for online transfers and bill pay, though debit cards and checks take a few business days to arrive.

What happens after you submit your process

Chase performs two background checks: a soft pull on your credit report (which does not lower your credit score) and a check through ChexSystems, a database that tracks banking history and fraud. These checks are when ready, so you usually know within minutes whether you are approved.

If Chase cannot verify your identity through the photo or security questions, they may call you to confirm information or ask you to visit a branch. This is rare but more common if you have recently moved, have a thin credit history, or if your ID is damaged or unclear in the photo.

Once approved, your account number and routing number are available when ready in the app or online. You can set up direct deposit, transfer money, and pay bills right away. Your physical debit card arrives in 7 to 10 business days; checks take 10 to 14 business days.

Account types you can open online versus those you cannot

Chase offers several personal checking and savings accounts online: Chase Total Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, and various savings accounts. You can open any of these through the website or app. The differences are mainly in monthly fees, interest rates, and perks like travel credits or higher APY on savings.

You cannot open most business accounts, money market accounts, or CDs online. If you want a business checking account, you will need to call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 or visit a branch with your business license, EIN, and personal ID. The same applies if you want to open a CD with a deposit over $25,000 or if you are opening an account as a minor (under 18) without a parent present.

Why Chase might decline your online process

Chase declines online applications for a few specific reasons. The most common is a ChexSystems issue—if you have unpaid overdrafts, fraud flags, or other banking problems on record, Chase may deny the account. You can request your ChexSystems report for free at consumerdebit.equifax.com to see what is on file.

Identity verification failures are the second reason. If Chase cannot match your information to public records or if your ID photo is unclear, they cannot complete the process online. In that case, they will ask you to call or visit a branch with your ID in hand.

A third, less common reason is that you have had a Chase account closed in the past due to fraud or policy violations. Chase maintains an internal list of customers they will not re-open accounts for, and this restriction cannot be overridden online.

Opening a second or third account if you already bank with Chase

If you already have a Chase account, opening additional accounts is faster. Chase skips the identity verification step because they already have your information verified. You log into your existing account, select "Open an Account," choose the new account type, and confirm your opening deposit. The whole process takes about five minutes.

You can have multiple checking accounts and multiple savings accounts with Chase. Some people do this to separate spending from savings, or to take advantage of different account features. Each account has its own number and debit card (if it is a checking account), and you can transfer money between them when ready through the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a Chase account to be fully active after I open it online?

The account itself is active the same day or next business day. You can use it for transfers and bill pay when ready. However, your debit card takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive, and checks take 10 to 14 business days. If you fund the account with a debit card, that deposit posts the same day. Bank transfers take one to two business days.

Do I need a minimum opening deposit to open a Chase account online?

Most Chase checking accounts have a $0 minimum opening deposit, though some premium accounts require $25 or more. Savings accounts typically require $25. These minimums change, so check the specific account details before you start. You can fund the account with a debit card, transfer from another bank, or wire transfer.

What if I do not have a government ID?

Chase requires a valid government-issued ID to open an account online. If you do not have one, you will need to visit a branch in person with whatever ID you do have (passport, state ID, or driver's license). A branch representative can sometimes work with alternative forms of identity, but online opening is not possible without a government ID.

Can I open a Chase account online if I have been denied by other banks?

It depends on why you were denied. If another bank closed your account due to ChexSystems issues, Chase will likely see the same information and may decline. You can request your ChexSystems report for free to see what is on file. If the issue is old or resolved, you can explain it when you call Chase, though online opening will not be an option.

Will opening a Chase account online hurt my credit score?

No. Chase performs a soft credit pull, which does not lower your credit score. Hard pulls (which do affect your score) are only used when you explore for credit products like loans or credit cards. Opening a bank account is not a credit event.