You can add someone to your Chase savings account in person at a branch, by phone, or sometimes online, depending on the account type and your relationship to the person

Chase offers a few ways to let another person access your savings account. The simplest route is to visit a Chase branch with the other person and both of your IDs — a banker can add them as a joint owner or authorized user on the spot. If you cannot meet in person, you can call Chase customer service and request the change by phone, though they may ask you to come in later to verify signatures. Some account types also allow you to start the process online, but Chase usually requires at least one in-person visit to complete it.

The person you add becomes either a joint owner (with equal rights to the money and account decisions) or an authorized user (who can withdraw and deposit but may have fewer rights to close the account or change terms). Which one you choose matters legally and for taxes, so it is worth understanding the difference before you go to the branch.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add someone to your Chase savings account by visiting a branch with both IDs, calling Chase, or starting online if your account type allows it.
  • A joint owner has equal rights to the account and its money; an authorized user can access funds but may not be able to close the account or change terms.
  • Chase will ask for the other person's Social Security number, date of birth, and address to add them to the account.
  • Both you and the person being added should expect the change to take effect within one to three business days after the paperwork is signed.
  • Adding someone as a joint owner may affect your taxes and their benefits, so consider speaking with a tax professional or benefits counselor first if either applies to you.

What documents you need to bring

Bring a government-issued photo ID for yourself and for the person you are adding. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. Chase will also need the other person's Social Security number and date of birth — have those ready before you go.

If you are adding someone who is not physically present, you will need to call Chase at the number on the back of your debit card. They will verify your identity and ask for the other person's information over the phone. Some accounts allow you to request the form online through your Chase account, but you will still need to sign it in person or have it notarized before Chase processes it.

Adding someone in person at a branch

Go to any Chase branch with the other person and both of your IDs. Tell the banker you want to add someone to your savings account and say whether you want them as a joint owner or authorized user. The banker will pull up your account, verify both IDs, and have you both sign the paperwork right there.

The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Once you both sign, Chase will process the change within one to three business days. You will see the new owner or user listed on your account online and on your statements after that.

Adding someone by phone

Call the Chase customer service number on the back of your debit card and tell them you want to add someone to your savings account. They will verify your identity by asking security questions, then ask for the other person's name, Social Security number, date of birth, and address.

Chase will mail you a form to sign and return. You may also be asked to come into a branch to verify your signature in person, depending on the account and the change you are making. Once Chase receives the signed form, the change takes one to three business days to show up in your account.

The difference between a joint owner and an authorized user

A joint owner has the same rights to the account as you do. They can withdraw money, deposit money, close the account, change the account terms, and see all the transaction history. If you die, the money in the account passes to the joint owner automatically — it does not go through your will. From a tax perspective, Chase reports the account to both of your Social Security numbers, which can affect how you file taxes.

An authorized user can withdraw and deposit money but usually cannot close the account, change the account terms, or remove other users. They may not have the same legal claim to the money if you die, depending on how your will is written. Authorized users are often used when you want to give someone access without giving them full control — for example, adding a trusted family member to help manage bills.

If the person you are adding receives means-tested benefits (like Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid), adding them as a joint owner could affect those benefits because the account would be counted as their asset. Talk to a benefits counselor before making that change. Adding them as an authorized user is usually safer in that situation.

What happens after you add someone

Once the change is processed, the new owner or user can use a debit card linked to the account, make transfers, and see the account online if they set up their own Chase login. They will receive their own debit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days if they do not already have one.

Both of you will see all transactions on the account. Chase sends statements to the address on file, so if you want separate statements, you will need to update the mailing address or set up online statements for each of you. You can remove someone from the account later by going to a branch or calling customer service, though some account types require both owners to agree to the removal.

Removing someone from the account later

If you need to remove a joint owner or authorized user, go to a Chase branch with your ID or call customer service. For a joint owner, Chase may require both of you to sign the removal form, depending on your account type. For an authorized user, you can usually remove them on your own.

The removal takes one to three business days to process. Once it is complete, that person will no longer be able to access the account, and their debit card will stop working. If they are a joint owner, they may still have a claim to the money in the account depending on your state's laws, so consider speaking with a lawyer if the removal is complicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to my Chase savings account online?

Some Chase account types allow you to request the form online through your account, but you will still need to sign it in person or have it notarized before Chase processes the change. The fastest route is usually to visit a branch with the other person and both IDs.

What if the person I want to add does not have a Social Security number?

Chase requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to add someone to an account. If the person does not have either, they will need to obtain one before you can add them. You can contact Chase directly to ask about exceptions, though they are rare.

Will adding someone to my account affect their credit score?

Adding someone as a joint owner or authorized user to a savings account does not affect their credit score. Credit scores are based on borrowing and repayment history, not on savings accounts. However, it may show up on their credit report depending on how Chase reports it.

Can I add a minor to my savings account?

Yes, but Chase has specific rules for minors. You will need to open a youth savings account or add them as an authorized user on your existing account. Bring the minor's birth certificate and Social Security card along with their ID and yours to a branch.

What if I want to add someone but keep the account in my name only?

Add them as an authorized user instead of a joint owner. They will be able to access and use the account, but you will remain the sole owner. This is useful if you want to give someone access without giving them equal legal rights to the money.