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 going to a lawyer. The process takes about 10 minutes if you do it online, and the beneficiary does not need to know you have named them.

When you die, the money in the account passes directly to the person you named — it does not go through probate, which is the court process that normally handles property after someone dies. This means your beneficiary can access the funds faster and with less paperwork than if the money had to go through the court system.

Chase calls this a Payable on Death (POD) account, or sometimes a Transfer on Death (TOD) account. The terms mean the same thing: money goes to your named person when you pass away.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add a beneficiary to a Chase checking account online through Chase.com, by calling 1-800-935-9935, or by visiting a Chase branch in person.
  • You will need the beneficiary's full legal name and date of birth, but not their Social Security number or account information.
  • You can name more than one beneficiary and decide what percentage of the account each person receives.
  • The beneficiary does not need to do anything while you are alive — the account works normally, and you keep full control of the money.
  • After you die, your beneficiary will need to contact Chase with a death certificate to claim the funds.

Adding a beneficiary online through Chase.com

Log into your Chase account at Chase.com and go to the account settings for the checking account you want to add a beneficiary to. Look for a section called "Account Services," "Beneficiaries," or "Manage Account." The exact wording varies depending on whether you use Chase's website or mobile app, but the option is usually near other account management tools.

Click on 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 relationship to you — for example, spouse, child, parent, or friend. You do not need their Social Security number, bank account number, or any other financial information.

If you want to name more than one beneficiary, you can specify what percentage of the account each person receives. For example, you could leave 50 percent to one child and 50 percent to another, or 100 percent to one person. The percentages must add up to 100 percent. After you enter the information, Chase will ask you to confirm the details and submit.

Adding a beneficiary by phone

Call Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935 and tell them you want to add a beneficiary to your checking account. Have your account number ready, and be prepared to provide the beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, and relationship to you.

The representative will walk you through the process and may ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions or confirming recent transactions. The whole call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. After the call ends, Chase will send you a confirmation in the mail or through your online account showing the beneficiary you added.

Adding a beneficiary in person at a Chase branch

Visit a Chase branch near you with a government-issued ID. Tell the banker you want to add a beneficiary to your checking account. Bring the beneficiary's full legal name and date of birth — you do not need to bring them with you.

The banker will fill out the paperwork and may ask you to sign a form. This usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. You will receive a copy of the form for your records, and Chase will keep a copy in their system.

What happens if you change your mind

You can change or remove a beneficiary at any time while you are alive, using the same methods you used to add one: online, by phone, or in person. There is no fee to make changes. If you want to remove a beneficiary entirely, you can do that too — the account will straightforward have no beneficiary until you name a new one.

If you are married and your spouse is the beneficiary, keep in mind that naming a beneficiary does not override a will or a trust. If your will says something different about who should receive the account, the beneficiary you named on the account itself will take priority — the account does not go through probate, so the will does not control it.

What your beneficiary needs to do after you die

Your beneficiary does not need to do anything while you are alive. The account works normally, and you keep full control of all the money. After you die, your beneficiary will need to contact Chase with a copy of your death certificate. Chase will verify the death and transfer the money to the beneficiary.

The process usually takes a few weeks. Your beneficiary can bring the death certificate to a Chase branch, mail it to the address Chase provides, or upload it through online banking if that option is available. Chase may ask for additional information to confirm the beneficiary's identity, such as a government-issued ID.

Important details about POD accounts

A POD beneficiary only receives the money that is in the account when you die. If you have $5,000 in the account and you die, the beneficiary receives $5,000 — not more, not less. The beneficiary does not inherit any debts attached to the account, and creditors cannot take the money to pay bills you owed (with some exceptions for taxes or court orders).

If you name a minor as a beneficiary, Chase may require a court-appointed guardian to claim the funds on their behalf, or the money may be held in trust until the child reaches the age of majority (usually 18 or 21, depending on your state). Ask Chase about their specific rules for minor beneficiaries when you add one.

If you name multiple beneficiaries and one of them dies before you do, that person's share goes to the other beneficiaries you named, not to that person's heirs — unless you set up the account differently. When you add a beneficiary, Chase will explain these rules and ask you to confirm you understand them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the beneficiary's Social Security number to add them?

No. Chase only needs their full legal name, date of birth, and relationship to you. You do not need their Social Security number, bank account number, or any other financial information.

Can I name more than one beneficiary?

Yes. You can name multiple beneficiaries and decide what percentage of the account each person receives. The percentages must add up to 100 percent. For example, you could name two children and leave 50 percent to each one.

Does the beneficiary know I named them?

No, unless you tell them. Chase does not notify the beneficiary. It is a good idea to let them know so they understand what to expect and know to contact Chase if something happens to you.

What if I want to change the beneficiary later?

You can change or remove a beneficiary at any time using the same method you used to add them — online, by phone, or in person at a branch. There is no fee to make changes.

Does naming a beneficiary override my will?

Yes. The beneficiary you name on the account itself receives the money directly and does not go through probate, so it takes priority over what your will says about that account.