Yes, Chase offers safety deposit boxes at most of its branches
Chase calls its safety deposit boxes Safe Deposit Boxes, and you can rent one at most Chase branches. A safety deposit box is a locked metal container kept inside the bank's vault — a find room designed to protect valuables from theft, fire, and water damage. You get your own key, and the bank keeps a second key. To open your box, you need both keys, so neither you nor the bank can access it alone.
Not every Chase branch has them. Smaller branches or those in certain locations may not offer the service. The best way to find out is to call your local Chase branch directly or visit Chase.com and use the branch locator tool, then call to confirm they have boxes available for rent.
Chase does not publish a single national price for safety deposit boxes. The cost depends on the box size and your location — a small box in one city may cost less than the same size in another. You will need to contact your branch for their current pricing and availability.
Key Takeaways
- Chase safety deposit boxes are available at most but not all branches, so you need to contact your local branch to confirm they have boxes and space available.
- You will need both your key and the bank's key to open the box, which means the bank cannot access your contents without you present.
- The cost varies by box size and location, so prices differ between branches and regions.
- You can rent a box as an individual or as a joint renter with another person, and you can name a beneficiary to inherit the box after your death.
What you can and cannot store in a Chase safety deposit box
Safety deposit boxes work best for documents and items you do not need often but want to protect. Common items include original birth certificates, marriage licenses, property deeds, stock certificates, jewelry, coins, and photographs. You can also store a copy of your will, though the original should be filed with your lawyer or the court.
Do not store items that are illegal to possess, such as weapons or drugs. Chase also prohibits storing anything that could damage the box or other boxes nearby — for example, wet items, food, or anything with a strong odor. If you are unsure whether something is allowed, ask your branch before you rent.
One important limit: do not store the only copy of something critical in a safety deposit box. If you need a document quickly — like a passport for emergency travel — keeping it in a box you can only access during business hours creates a problem. Keep originals of frequently needed documents at home or in a home safe instead.
How to rent a Chase safety deposit box
Start by calling your local Chase branch to ask about availability and pricing. When you are ready to rent, you will visit the branch in person with a valid government-issued ID. The bank will show you the available box sizes and let you see an empty box so you know what you are renting.
You will sign a rental agreement that explains the terms — how much you pay, how often, and what happens if you stop paying or want to close the box. Chase will give you one key, and the bank will keep the other. You will also be asked whether you want to name a beneficiary — someone who can access the box after you die. This is optional but useful if you have a spouse or adult child you want to inherit the box's contents.
After you sign, you can start using the box right away. You will come back during business hours whenever you need to access it. The bank staff will verify your identity, use their key along with yours to open the box, and give you privacy in a small room to add, remove, or view your items.
What happens to your box if you stop paying or close your account
If you do not pay the annual rental fee, Chase will send you a notice. If you do not pay within a set period — usually 30 to 60 days — the bank can drill open the box and remove your contents. They will hold the items for a period set by state law, usually one to three years. After that time, unclaimed items may be turned over to the state.
If you close your Chase checking or savings account, that does not automatically close your safety deposit box. The box is a separate rental agreement. You can keep it open as long as you pay the annual fee, even if you have no other accounts with Chase. However, some branches may require you to maintain a checking account to rent a box — policies vary by location, so ask when you call.
If you want to close the box, call your branch or visit in person. You will need to remove all your items, return both keys (yours and the bank's, if you still have them), and sign a form closing the agreement. There is usually no penalty for closing early, but confirm this when you rent.
Joint renters and what happens after death
You can rent a safety deposit box with another person — a spouse, adult child, business partner, or anyone else. Both of you will have keys, and either of you can access the box without the other present. This is useful if you and your spouse both need to reach important documents, or if you want a trusted person to be able to access the box in an emergency.
If you name a beneficiary on the rental agreement, that person can inherit the box after you die. However, the process varies by state. In some states, the beneficiary can access the box right away to remove documents like a will or life insurance policy. In other states, the box may be sealed until the estate is settled, and only the executor of your will can open it. Ask your Chase branch what your state's rules are when you set up the box.
If you rent the box jointly with another person and one of you dies, the surviving renter usually keeps full access to the box. The box does not automatically pass to a beneficiary — it stays in the name of whoever is still alive and paying the fee.
Alternatives if your branch does not have safety deposit boxes
If your local Chase branch does not offer safety deposit boxes, you have other options. Many credit unions and smaller community banks offer them, sometimes at lower prices than large national banks. You can call banks in your area to ask about availability and pricing.
A home safe is another choice. A fire-rated, waterproof safe bolted to your floor or wall costs between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars depending on size and quality. It gives you when ready access to documents without waiting for business hours, but it offers less protection against theft than a bank vault.
For digital documents — scans of deeds, certificates, and photos — you can use encrypted cloud storage or a password-protected external hard drive kept in a home safe. This is not a replacement for originals of legal documents, but it is a useful backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I access my Chase safety deposit box after hours or on weekends?
No. You can only access your box during the branch's regular business hours. If you need documents in an emergency outside those hours, you will not be able to reach them. This is why keeping copies of frequently needed documents at home is important.
What if I lose my key to the safety deposit box?
Contact your Chase branch when ready. The bank can drill open the box and change the lock, then issue you a new key. There is usually a fee for this service. To avoid this, keep your key in a safe place at home, not in your wallet where it can be lost or stolen.
Can I rent a safety deposit box if I do not have a Chase checking account?
Policies vary by branch. Some Chase locations require you to maintain a checking or savings account to rent a box, while others do not. Call your local branch to ask about their specific requirements before you visit.
Is my safety deposit box insured if something is stolen or damaged?
No. Chase does not insure the contents of safety deposit boxes. The bank is responsible for maintaining the vault and the lock, but not for the value of what is inside. If you store valuable jewelry or collectibles, you may want to add them to your homeowners or renters insurance policy.
What documents should I keep in a safety deposit box?
Good choices include original birth certificates, marriage licenses, property deeds, stock certificates, and a copy of your will. Avoid storing documents you need regularly, like your passport or Social Security card. Keep those at home in a find place instead.