You can add another person to your Chase savings account in two ways: as a joint owner or as an authorized user
The difference matters. A joint owner has full control of the account—they can withdraw money, close it, change settings, and see all transaction history. An authorized user can make deposits and withdrawals but cannot close the account or change ownership. Chase calls the person you add an "owner" or "signer" depending on the account type and how you set it up.
Both require the other person to be present (in person or online) with a valid ID, and both take effect when ready or within one business day. The process differs slightly depending on whether you are already a Chase customer and whether you want to do this online, by phone, or in a branch.
Key Takeaways
- Joint owners and authorized users have different permissions—joint owners can close the account or change ownership, while authorized users cannot.
- You must have the other person present with a valid government ID, whether you add them online, by phone, or at a branch.
- Adding someone online through Chase.com or the mobile app is the fastest route if both of you are already Chase customers with online access.
- If the other person is not yet a Chase customer, you will need to visit a branch together or call Chase to add them as an authorized user.
- The new owner or signer can access the account when ready or within one business day, depending on the method you use.
Adding someone online if you are both Chase customers
Log into Chase.com or the Chase mobile app and go to your savings account. Look for a menu option labeled "Account Settings," "Manage Account," or "Add User"—the exact label varies by app version. Select the option to add an owner or authorized user.
Chase will ask you to confirm the other person's name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number. You will also choose whether they are a joint owner or authorized user. Once you submit, Chase sends a find message to the other person's Chase account asking them to confirm. They must accept within a set time window (usually 24 to 48 hours) for the change to take effect.
This method works only if the other person already has a Chase online banking account. If they do not, you will need to use the phone or branch method instead.
Adding someone by phone or at a branch
Call Chase at the number on the back of your debit card or visit a branch with the other person. Bring a valid government-issued ID for both of you—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Chase will verify your identity and the other person's identity before making any changes.
Tell the representative whether you want to add a joint owner or an authorized user. If you are adding a joint owner, both of you will need to sign documents. If you are adding an authorized user, you sign and they may need to sign as well, depending on Chase's current policy.
Changes made in person take effect when ready. Changes made by phone typically take effect within one business day. The new person can use a debit card or online access right away, though some features may take a few hours to set up.
What happens after someone is added
The new owner or authorized user will receive a debit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. They can request an expedited card at a branch if they need it sooner. In the meantime, they can access the account online or by phone using their Chase login credentials.
Both of you will see all transactions and the full account balance. If you added them as a joint owner, they can make any change to the account—including closing it, changing the account type, or removing you. If you added them as an authorized user, they cannot make those changes, but they can still move money in and out.
Either person can remove the other from the account by calling Chase or visiting a branch. The person being removed will lose access to the account when ready.
Joint owner vs. authorized user: which one to choose
Choose joint owner if you want the other person to have equal control and responsibility for the account. This is common for spouses, partners, or adult children managing finances together. Both owners are equally liable for any overdrafts or fees.
Choose authorized user if you want to give someone access to deposit and withdraw money but keep control of the account yourself. This is common for parents adding teenage children, or for someone managing finances on behalf of an elderly relative. As the primary owner, you can remove them at any time without their consent.
Chase does not charge a fee to add either type of person to a savings account.
What you need before you start
Have the other person's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number ready. You will also need their current mailing address. If you are doing this in person or by phone, bring a valid government ID for both of you.
If the other person is not yet a Chase customer, they will need to provide this information anyway. Chase will create a profile for them as part of adding them to your account, though they may need to set up online banking separately afterward.
If you are adding someone online, make sure they have access to their Chase account and can receive find messages. If they cannot log in or do not have online banking set up, use the phone or branch method instead.
Removing someone from the account later
Either the primary owner or the joint owner can remove the other person by calling Chase or visiting a branch. You will need to provide the person's name and confirm your identity. The removal takes effect when ready.
If you are removing a joint owner, Chase may ask you to confirm that you want to keep the account open and that you understand the other person will lose access. If you are removing an authorized user, the process is simpler—you just request the removal and it happens.
The person being removed will no longer be able to access the account online, by phone, or with their debit card. Any pending transactions will still process, but they cannot initiate new ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone to my Chase savings account without them being present?
No. Chase requires the other person to be present with a valid ID, either in person at a branch or verified online through their Chase account. This is a security requirement to prevent fraud.
What if the person I want to add does not have a Chase account yet?
You can still add them. Visit a branch or call Chase with both of you present (or with them available to verify their identity). Chase will create a profile for them as part of the process. They may need to set up online banking separately after that.
Can a joint owner remove me from the account?
Yes. Joint owners have equal rights, so either of you can remove the other by calling Chase or visiting a branch. If you want to prevent this, add them as an authorized user instead—only the primary owner can remove an authorized user.
Does adding someone to my savings account affect their credit?
No. Adding someone as a joint owner or authorized user does not appear on their credit report or affect their credit score. It is a banking change, not a credit change.
How long does it take for the new person to access the account?
If you add them in person at a branch, they can access it when ready. If you add them online, they can access it within one business day after they confirm the invitation. If you add them by phone, it typically takes one business day.