You can name a beneficiary on a Chase checking account through online banking, by phone, or in person at a branch

A beneficiary is a person you name to receive the money in your account if you die. Chase lets you add one or more beneficiaries to a checking account without needing a will or any legal paperwork. The process takes minutes, and the account transfers directly to whoever you name—it does not go through probate, which means your beneficiary can access the money faster than they could through a court process.

You can set this up right now if you have online access to your account. If you do not use Chase online banking yet, you can call Chase or visit a branch to add a beneficiary. The account itself does not change—you keep using it normally. The beneficiary designation only takes effect after you die.

Key Takeaways

  • You can name a beneficiary through Chase online banking, by calling 1-800-935-9935, or by visiting a Chase branch in person.
  • Chase allows you to name multiple beneficiaries and decide what percentage of the account each person receives.
  • The beneficiary you name has no access to your account while you are alive, and you can change or remove them at any time.
  • Money left to a beneficiary passes directly to them without going through probate, which usually means faster access to the funds.

Setting up a beneficiary through Chase online banking

Log into your Chase account on the website or mobile app. Go to the account settings or profile section—the exact location varies slightly between the website and app, but look for "Account Settings," "Profile," or "Preferences." Find the option for "Beneficiaries" or "Transfer on Death" (sometimes called TOD). Chase will ask you to confirm your identity before showing you this section.

Click "Add Beneficiary" and enter the person's full name, date of birth, and relationship to you. You will also provide their Social Security number or tax ID. Chase asks for this information to make sure the beneficiary can be identified clearly after your death. You can then choose what percentage of the account that person receives—for example, 50% to one person and 50% to another, or 100% to a single person.

Review the information you entered, then confirm. Chase will send you a confirmation email. You can add more beneficiaries by repeating these steps, and you can change or remove a beneficiary at any time by going back to the same section.

Adding a beneficiary by phone or in person

Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and tell them you want to add a beneficiary to your checking account. Have your account number ready. The representative will ask for the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship to you. They will also ask what percentage of the account that person should receive. The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

You can also walk into any Chase branch with your ID and ask to add a beneficiary. A banker will help you fill out the form on the spot. Bring your account number and the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. This method is useful if you prefer to handle it face-to-face or if you do not use online banking.

What happens to the account after you die

When you die, your beneficiary (or beneficiaries) can contact Chase with a death certificate and proof of their identity. Chase will verify the information and transfer the money directly to them. This process usually takes one to three weeks, depending on how quickly the beneficiary provides the documents and how busy Chase is at that time.

The money does not sit in probate court waiting for a judge to decide who gets it. That is the main advantage of naming a beneficiary—the transfer happens faster and outside the court system. If you have a will that names someone else to inherit the account, the beneficiary designation overrides the will. Chase follows the beneficiary form you filled out, not what your will says.

Changing or removing a beneficiary

You can change your beneficiary at any time while you are alive. Log back into your Chase account, go to the beneficiary section, and either edit the existing beneficiary's information or delete them and add a new one. If you are removing a beneficiary entirely, Chase will ask you to confirm—once you do, that person no longer has any claim to the account.

You can also call Chase or visit a branch to make changes. There is no fee to add, change, or remove a beneficiary. Keep in mind that if you name a beneficiary and then get divorced, the beneficiary designation does not automatically change—you have to update it yourself. Some states have laws that remove an ex-spouse from beneficiary forms after divorce, but Chase will follow the form you signed, so it is safer to update it right away.

Multiple beneficiaries and how the money splits

You can name as many beneficiaries as you want on a single checking account. When you add each one, you tell Chase what percentage of the account they receive. For example, you could name your spouse for 60%, your adult child for 30%, and a charity for 10%. When you die, Chase divides the account balance according to those percentages.

If you name multiple beneficiaries but do not specify percentages, Chase will split the account equally among them. If one of your beneficiaries dies before you do, that person's share goes to the remaining beneficiaries unless you have named a backup (called a contingent beneficiary). Some Chase accounts let you name a contingent beneficiary—someone who receives the money only if your first choice dies before you. Ask Chase whether your account type supports contingent beneficiaries.

What beneficiary designations do not cover

A beneficiary designation on a checking account only covers that specific account. If you have a savings account, money market account, or credit card with Chase, you need to set up separate beneficiary designations for each one. Some account types—like credit cards—do not allow beneficiary designations at all. Check with Chase about which of your accounts support this feature.

A beneficiary designation also does not affect any debts tied to the account. If your checking account is overdrawn or you owe Chase money on a loan, the bank can take money from the account to cover those debts before the beneficiary receives anything. The beneficiary receives what is left after Chase settles any claims against the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my beneficiary access my account while I am still alive?

No. A beneficiary has no access to the account, no ability to see the balance, and no right to withdraw money while you are alive. The designation only takes effect after you die. You keep full control of the account and can spend, transfer, or close it whenever you want.

What if I do not name a beneficiary?

If you die without naming a beneficiary, the money in your checking account becomes part of your estate. It will be distributed according to your will, or if you do not have a will, according to your state's inheritance laws. This process goes through probate court, which takes longer and costs more than a direct transfer to a named beneficiary.

Can I name a minor as a beneficiary?

Yes, but Chase will not release the money directly to a minor. If your beneficiary is under 18 when you die, the money will be held in trust or transferred to a court-appointed guardian until the person turns 18 or 21, depending on your state. You can name an adult to manage the money for the minor if you want to avoid this delay.

Do I need to tell my beneficiary that I named them?

You do not have to, but it is a good idea. If your beneficiary does not know they are named on the account, they might not think to contact Chase after you die, and the money could sit unclaimed. Telling them also gives you a chance to explain where the account is and what documents they will need to provide.

What if I want to remove a beneficiary because we are getting divorced?

You can remove or change a beneficiary at any time through online banking, by phone, or in person. Do this as soon as possible after a divorce is final. Some states automatically remove ex-spouses from beneficiary forms, but Chase follows the form you signed, so updating it yourself is the safest approach.