You can open a joint Chase checking account online, but you will need both account holders present and verified

Chase allows you to start a joint checking account entirely online through their website or mobile app. Both people on the account must be present during the process — you cannot open it alone and add someone later. Each person will need to verify their identity using a government-issued ID and answer security questions. The whole process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, and your account can be ready to use the same day.

The main limitation is that both account holders must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a valid Social Security number. If one person does not meet these requirements, you will need to visit a Chase branch in person instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account holders must be present online at the same time, with a valid government ID ready for each person.
  • Chase will ask each person to verify their identity through their website, which takes a few minutes per person.
  • Your joint account can be used when ready after opening, though debit cards arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
  • You can choose whether both people need to sign off on withdrawals or whether either person can withdraw alone.
  • If either account holder is not a U.S. citizen or does not have a Social Security number, you must open the account at a branch.

What you need before you start

Gather these items before you begin: a valid government-issued ID for each person (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), your Social Security number, and your current mailing address. You will also need an email address and phone number for each account holder — Chase uses these to send account information and verify your identity.

Have your most recent pay stub or tax return handy if you want to link an external bank account during setup. You can also link it later, so this is not required to open the account.

The step-by-step process

Start at chase.com or open the Chase mobile app. Select "Open an account" and choose "Checking." When prompted, select "Joint account." Chase will ask for the primary account holder's information first — name, date of birth, address, phone number, and Social Security number. You will then verify this person's identity by uploading a photo of their government ID or answering security questions based on their credit history.

Once the first person is verified, Chase will ask for the second account holder's information in the same way. Both people do not need to be at the same device, but they do need to complete their portion of the process during the same session — you cannot save it and come back later. After both people are verified, you will choose which checking account product you want (Chase offers several with different fees and benefits), set up online banking passwords, and review the account agreement.

Your account number appears on screen when ready. You can start using it right away for transfers and bill pay, though physical debit cards arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Deciding who can withdraw money

During setup, Chase asks whether the account will be "joint with survivorship" or "joint without survivorship." This affects what happens to the money if one account holder dies, but it does not change who can withdraw money while both people are alive.

On a joint account, either person can withdraw all the money without permission from the other person. If you want to require both signatures for large withdrawals, you cannot set that up online — you would need to visit a branch and ask about a "joint account with restrictions," which is less common and may not be available at all Chase locations.

What happens if one person cannot verify their identity online

If Chase cannot verify someone's identity through their online system — usually because their credit history is too thin or their information does not match Chase's records — the process will stop. You will see a message saying you need to visit a branch instead.

Bring both government IDs, both Social Security numbers, and proof of address (a utility bill or lease) to a Chase branch. A banker can open the joint account in person, which usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. This is also the route if either person is not a U.S. citizen or does not have a Social Security number.

Linking an external bank account

Chase will offer to link a bank account from another bank during setup so you can transfer money in. You can provide the account and routing number from your other bank, or Chase can verify the account by making two small deposits (this takes 1 to 2 business days). You can also skip this step and link an account later through your Chase online banking dashboard.

If you are linking an account at another bank, make sure you have that bank's account number and routing number ready. You can usually find both on a check or by logging into that bank's website.

After your account opens

Both account holders can log in to the account using their own username and password. Chase sends statements and alerts to both email addresses you provided. You can change notification settings later — for example, one person can receive all alerts while the other receives none, or you can set different alerts for each person.

Debit cards arrive separately by mail to each account holder's address. If you provided the same mailing address for both people, both cards will arrive at that address. If you provided different addresses, each person will receive their card at their own address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a joint account if one person lives in a different state?

Yes. Chase will mail debit cards to each person's address, and both people can be in different states. You both just need to be present online at the same time to complete the verification process.

What if we want to add a third person to the account later?

You cannot add a third person online. You will need to visit a Chase branch with all three people present, bring government IDs, and ask a banker to convert the account to a three-way joint account. Some branches may charge a fee for this change.

Can one person close the joint account without the other person's permission?

Yes. Either account holder can close a joint checking account by calling Chase or visiting a branch. The other person will be notified, but they cannot prevent the closure. If you are concerned about this, discuss account access and closure rules with the other person before opening the account.

Do we both need to be U.S. citizens?

You both need to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a valid Social Security number to open online. If one person is not, you must open the account at a Chase branch in person, and you may need to bring additional documents.

What if the online verification fails for one person?

Chase will tell you the verification failed and direct you to a branch. Bring both government IDs, both Social Security numbers, and a utility bill or lease showing your address. A banker can complete the account opening in person.