You can name a beneficiary on most Chase accounts through their website, mobile app, or by visiting a branch

A beneficiary is a person you name to receive the money in your account if you die. Chase lets you add this person yourself without needing a lawyer or paying a fee. The process takes about five minutes if you do it online, and the money goes to them outside of probate — meaning it transfers directly without going through the court system.

You can name a beneficiary on checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts at Chase. You cannot name one on credit cards. The person you name does not need to be a family member, and they do not need to know you have named them, though it is a good idea to tell them.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase lets you add a beneficiary online through their website or mobile app without visiting a branch or paying a fee.
  • You will need the beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number or tax ID to complete the process.
  • The money passes directly to your beneficiary when you die, bypassing probate, but only the amount in that specific account goes to them.
  • You can name multiple beneficiaries and decide what percentage of the account each one receives.
  • You can change or remove a beneficiary at any time by logging into your account or calling Chase.

Adding a beneficiary through Chase's website or app

Log into your Chase account online or open the Chase mobile app. Navigate to the account you want to add a beneficiary to — this works for checking, savings, or money market accounts. Look for a menu option labeled "Account Services," "Settings," or "Manage Account." The exact wording varies depending on whether you are on the website or app, but it is usually in the upper right corner or in a menu at the bottom of the screen.

Select the option to add or manage beneficiaries. Chase will ask you for the beneficiary's full legal name (the name on their birth certificate or government ID), their date of birth, and their Social Security number or tax ID number. Have this information ready before you start. You will also choose what percentage of the account that person receives — you can split the account among multiple beneficiaries if you want, or give it all to one person.

Review the information you entered and confirm. Chase will show you a summary of the beneficiary you just added. You can add more beneficiaries to the same account by repeating these steps, or you can stop here. You will receive a confirmation email from Chase within a few minutes.

Adding a beneficiary in person at a Chase branch

If you prefer not to use the website or app, you can visit any Chase branch with a teller. Bring a government-issued photo ID and tell the teller you want to add a beneficiary to your account. They will give you a form to fill out with the beneficiary's name, date of birth, and Social Security number or tax ID.

The teller will process the form while you wait, usually in less than ten minutes. You will receive a receipt showing the beneficiary has been added. This method works the same way as adding a beneficiary online — the result is identical, and there is no fee either way.

What happens to the money when you die

When you pass away, your beneficiary contacts Chase with a death certificate and their own ID. Chase will verify the information and transfer the money directly to the beneficiary's account or issue them a check. This process usually takes one to two weeks, though it can vary depending on how quickly the beneficiary contacts Chase and provides the documents.

The money in that account goes only to the beneficiary you named — it does not go through your will or your estate. This means it is not subject to probate, which can save time and money. However, if you have other accounts at Chase without a named beneficiary, those accounts will go through probate if you have a will, or follow your state's intestacy laws if you do not have a will.

If you name multiple beneficiaries and split the account between them, each person receives their percentage when you die. For example, if you name two people at 50% each, they each get half the account balance.

Changing or removing a beneficiary

You can change your beneficiary at any time by logging into your Chase account online or through the app and going back to the beneficiary settings. Select the beneficiary you want to change, and you can either update their information or remove them entirely. The change takes effect when ready.

You can also call Chase at the number on the back of your debit card and ask to change your beneficiary over the phone. A representative will verify your identity and make the change for you. There is no fee for this, and you do not need to visit a branch.

Naming a beneficiary versus a joint owner

A beneficiary is different from a joint owner. A joint owner can access and withdraw money from the account while you are alive. A beneficiary cannot touch the account until you die. If you want someone to be able to help you manage your money while you are living, you would add them as a joint owner instead. If you only want them to receive the money after you are gone, name them as a beneficiary.

You can have both a joint owner and a beneficiary on the same account. For example, your spouse could be a joint owner so they can pay bills with you, and your adult child could be a beneficiary to receive what is left after you both die.

What information you need before you start

Gather the following information about your beneficiary before you log into your Chase account: their full legal name (as it appears on their birth certificate or government ID), their date of birth, and their Social Security number or tax ID number. If you do not have this information, you can ask your beneficiary for it, or you can start the process and come back to it later — Chase will not require you to finish in one sitting.

You will also need to know which Chase account you want to add the beneficiary to. If you have multiple accounts, you can add the same beneficiary to all of them, or different beneficiaries to different accounts. Each account can have its own beneficiary setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I name my minor child as a beneficiary?

Yes, you can name a minor as a beneficiary. However, when you die, the money cannot go directly to them because minors cannot legally control bank accounts. Chase will hold the money until the child reaches the age of majority in your state (usually 18 or 21), or a court-appointed guardian may need to be involved. Consider naming an adult you trust as the beneficiary instead, with the understanding that they will manage the money for your child.

What if I name someone as a beneficiary and then get divorced?

The beneficiary designation does not automatically change when you divorce. You will need to log into your Chase account and remove your ex-spouse as a beneficiary, then name someone else if you want. Some states have laws that automatically remove a spouse from beneficiary designations after divorce, but Chase will not do this automatically — you must make the change yourself.

Can I name my estate or a charity as a beneficiary?

Chase allows you to name a person, but not an organization or your estate. If you want to leave money to a charity, you can name the charity's representative as a beneficiary, or you can include the charity in your will. Talk to the charity about the best way to set this up.

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 your account, they may not know to contact Chase after you die, and the money could sit in the account for a long time. A straightforward conversation — "I have named you as the beneficiary on my savings account" — takes one minute and prevents confusion later.

What if I die without naming a beneficiary?

If you have not named a beneficiary, the money in your Chase account will go through probate and be distributed according to your will, or according to your state's intestacy laws if you do not have a will. This process takes longer and may involve court fees. Naming a beneficiary now avoids this.