Chase does not charge a fee to open a checking account
Chase offers several checking accounts with no opening fee. You can open an account online, by phone, or in a branch without paying anything upfront. The accounts that have no opening cost are Chase Total Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, and Chase find Checking.
What matters more than the opening fee is whether the account has a monthly maintenance fee once it is open. Some Chase checking accounts charge a monthly fee unless you meet certain conditions—like keeping a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit. Others have no monthly fee at all, regardless of your balance.
The account you choose depends on what you use it for and which fees you want to avoid. A student or someone with a small balance will have different needs than someone who carries a larger balance or receives regular paychecks by direct deposit.
Key Takeaways
- Chase charges no fee to open any of its checking accounts, whether you open online or in a branch.
- Monthly maintenance fees vary by account type and range from zero to $12, depending on the account and whether you meet fee-waiver conditions.
- Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee but waives it if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit.
- Chase Sapphire Checking has a $25 monthly fee and is designed for customers who want higher rewards and premium features.
- Chase find Checking has no monthly fee and is available to customers who do not have a checking account history or have had accounts closed.
Monthly fees and how to avoid them
Once your account is open, you may owe a monthly maintenance fee depending on which account you chose. Chase Total Checking, the most common option, charges $12 per month. You can waive this fee in two ways: keep a minimum daily balance of $500 in the account, or set up direct deposit of any amount from your employer or a government benefit.
Chase Sapphire Checking charges $25 per month and does not waive the fee based on balance or direct deposit. This account comes with higher cash-back rewards on purchases and is aimed at customers who want premium features and are willing to pay for them.
Chase find Checking has no monthly fee. This account is designed for people who are new to banking or who have had a checking account closed in the past. It comes with a debit card and online banking, but does not include overdraft protection or the ability to write checks.
Chase also offers Chase Student Checking, which has no monthly fee and is available to customers under 25 years old. Once you turn 25, the account converts to Chase Total Checking, and the monthly fee applies unless you meet one of the waiver conditions.
What happens during the account opening process
When you open a Chase checking account, the bank will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and phone number. If you open online or by phone, you will provide this information electronically. In a branch, you will show a government-issued ID and fill out a form.
Chase will check ChexSystems, a banking history database, to see whether you have had accounts closed due to overdrafts or fraud. If you have a negative history, you may be directed to Chase find Checking instead of a standard account. This is not a penalty—it is straightforward which account the bank offers you based on your history.
After you provide your information, Chase will verify your identity and run a background check. This usually takes a few minutes if you are opening online or in a branch. You will receive your account number when ready, and you can start using the account the same day through online banking or mobile app. Your debit card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Overdraft fees and other charges to know about
Chase does not charge a fee to open an account, but it does charge fees for other activities. An overdraft fee—charged when you spend more than you have in the account—is $35 per transaction. Chase allows up to four overdraft fees per day, so it is possible to owe $140 in a single day if you overdraw multiple times.
You can opt out of overdraft protection, which means transactions will be declined rather than charged an overdraft fee. To do this, contact Chase customer service or change the setting in your online banking account. If you opt out, you will not be charged overdraft fees, but your debit card and checks may be declined.
Other fees include $3 for out-of-network ATM withdrawals (after the first one per month), $15 for a returned check, and $25 for a stop payment request. Wire transfers, cashier's checks, and other services may also have fees depending on the account type.
Opening online versus in a branch
Opening a Chase checking account online takes about 10 minutes and requires a computer or smartphone. You will enter your personal information, verify your identity, and choose which account type you want. Chase uses online verification, which means you do not need to visit a branch or provide documents by mail.
Opening in a branch takes longer—usually 20 to 30 minutes—but you can ask questions and get help from a banker. You will need to bring a government-issued ID and proof of address, such as a utility bill or lease. If you have questions about which account is right for you, opening in a branch may be worth the extra time.
Both methods result in the same account with the same features and fees. The choice depends on whether you prefer to do it yourself online or would rather have someone walk you through it in person.
Minimum balance requirements and account features
Chase Total Checking requires a $500 minimum daily balance to waive the monthly fee, but there is no minimum balance required to open the account. You can open with $1 and keep a balance of $1, but you will owe the $12 monthly fee unless you set up direct deposit.
Chase Sapphire Checking also has no minimum balance requirement to open, but the $25 monthly fee applies regardless of your balance. This account includes higher rewards on purchases and access to premium features like priority customer service.
Chase find Checking has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee. This account does not include overdraft protection or check-writing ability, so it is designed for basic banking needs like receiving paychecks and paying bills online.
All Chase checking accounts include online banking, a mobile app, and access to Chase's ATM network. You can deposit checks using mobile check deposit, transfer money between accounts, and pay bills online at no additional cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Chase checking account if I do not have a Social Security number?
Chase requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to open an account. If you do not have either, you will not be able to open a standard Chase checking account. Some banks offer accounts for people without a Social Security number, but Chase does not.
What if Chase denies my account opening?
Chase may deny your account if you have a negative ChexSystems history, such as unpaid overdrafts or fraud. If this happens, you can ask Chase which account you are may be able to access for—often Chase find Checking—or you can dispute the ChexSystems record if you believe it is incorrect. You have the right to request a copy of your ChexSystems report and correct any errors.
Do I have to keep a minimum balance to avoid the monthly fee?
It depends on the account. Chase Total Checking waives the $12 monthly fee if you keep a $500 minimum daily balance or set up direct deposit. Chase Sapphire Checking charges $25 per month no matter what. Chase find Checking and Chase Student Checking have no monthly fee at all.
How long does it take to receive my debit card after opening?
Your debit card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days after you open your account. You can use your account online and through the mobile app when ready, but you will need to wait for the physical card to make purchases in stores or withdraw cash from ATMs outside the Chase network.
Can I open multiple Chase checking accounts?
Yes, you can open more than one Chase checking account. Some people open a second account for a specific purpose, like saving for a goal or keeping business and personal money separate. Each account will have its own monthly fee or fee-waiver conditions, so opening multiple accounts may increase your total fees unless you meet the waiver conditions for each one.