How to close a Chase account

You can close a Chase checking or savings account by calling Chase customer service, visiting a branch in person, or using the Chase mobile app or website. The process itself takes minutes, but Chase will not close the account when ready — they hold it open for 30 days to catch any pending transactions or automatic payments you may have forgotten about. During those 30 days, the account remains active and you can still use it or reopen it if you change your mind.

Before you close, move any remaining money out and make sure no bills or direct deposits are still tied to the account. If you have a negative balance, you will need to pay it before Chase will close the account. If you have a Chase credit card, closing your checking or savings account does not affect it — they are separate products.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 or visit a branch to request closure; the account stays open for 30 days after you request it.
  • Move your money out first and cancel any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to the account.
  • If you have an overdraft or negative balance, you must pay it before Chase will process the closure.
  • Closing a checking or savings account does not close a Chase credit card or affect your credit score.
  • If you close the account and then realize you need it, you can reopen it within 30 days without restarting the account opening process.

Withdraw your money and cancel automatic payments first

Before you request closure, move any balance out of the account. You can transfer money to another bank using Chase's online transfer tool, withdraw cash at a Chase ATM or branch, or request a check. If the account has a very small balance, Chase may let it sit, but it is simpler to clear it yourself.

Next, cancel any automatic payments or recurring charges tied to the account. This includes direct deposits from your employer, bill payments you have set up, subscriptions, and transfers to other accounts. Log into your Chase account online or in the app, go to the Transfers & Payments section, and turn off each recurring payment. If you are not sure what is linked, look at your last few statements to see what has been coming in and going out.

If you miss a payment and it bounces after you close the account, Chase will charge you an overdraft fee and the payment will fail. The company you were paying may also charge you a late fee. Spending five minutes to cancel these now saves you money later.

Request closure by phone, app, or in person

The fastest route is usually the phone. Call Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935 and tell them you want to close the account. Have your account number ready. They will ask why you are closing (you do not have to give a detailed reason), confirm your identity, and process the request. The call takes about five minutes.

You can also close the account through the Chase mobile app. Open the app, go to the account you want to close, tap the menu icon, and look for "Close Account" or "Account Services." The app will walk you through the steps and ask you to confirm.

If you prefer to close in person, visit any Chase branch with your ID. A teller can process the closure on the spot. This is useful if you want to withdraw a large amount of cash or if you have questions about pending transactions.

What happens during the 30-day hold period

After you request closure, Chase keeps the account open for 30 days. During this time, any checks you wrote that have not yet cleared will still go through. Automatic payments you forgot to cancel will also process. If either of these happens and you do not have enough money in the account, you will be charged an overdraft fee.

The account will not earn interest during the hold period, even if it is a savings account. You can still log in and see the account online, and you can reopen it if you change your mind — you do not have to start the account opening process over.

After 30 days, Chase closes the account permanently. If there is still money in it, Chase will mail you a check. If there is a negative balance, Chase will keep trying to collect it and may send the debt to a collection agency.

Pay any negative balance before closure

If your account is overdrawn — meaning you owe Chase money — you must pay the balance before they will close the account. You can transfer money from another bank account, deposit cash at a Chase ATM, or visit a branch and pay with a debit card or cash.

Once the balance is paid and the account shows zero or positive, the closure will process normally. If you do not pay the negative balance, Chase will not close the account and will continue charging overdraft fees each day the account remains negative.

Closing does not affect your credit or your credit card

Closing a checking or savings account does not hurt your credit score. Credit bureaus do not track deposit accounts the way they track credit cards or loans. Your credit report will not show that the account closed, and it will not lower your score.

If you have a Chase credit card, closing your checking or savings account does not close the card. They are separate products with separate accounts. Your credit card will stay open and active unless you specifically request to close it.

What to do if you need the account back

If you close the account and then realize you need it within 30 days, call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and ask them to reopen it. They can usually do this without making you go through the full account opening process again. After 30 days, the account is permanently closed and you would have to open a new account if you want to bank with Chase again.

If you reopen the account, it will have a new account number. Any automatic payments or transfers you had set up before will not automatically restart — you will need to set them up again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I have pending checks?

Yes. Chase will keep the account open for 30 days specifically to let pending checks clear. Any checks you wrote that have not yet been cashed will still go through during this period. Make sure you have enough money in the account to cover them, or you will be charged an overdraft fee.

What if I have a joint account?

Both account owners must request closure together, either by calling or visiting a branch in person. If only one owner requests closure, Chase will ask for the other owner's permission before processing it. If you cannot agree, you may need to remove one owner from the account first.

Do I lose my debit card when I close the account?

Your debit card will stop working once the account closes. If you have not already done so, destroy the card or contact Chase to report it as closed. Any recurring charges you set up with that card number will fail after the account closes.

Will Chase charge me a fee to close the account?

Chase does not charge a fee to close a checking or savings account. However, if your account is overdrawn or you have unpaid fees, you must settle those before closure.

How long does it take for the account to fully close?

The account stays open for 30 days after you request closure. After that, it is permanently closed. If there is money left in the account, Chase will mail you a check within a few weeks.