You can close a Chase checking account by phone, in person, or online, but the fastest way is usually a phone call to customer service

Closing a Chase checking account takes about 10 to 15 minutes if you call, or a few days if you do it online. Before you close, you need to move any money out, make sure no automatic payments or direct deposits are still connected, and get confirmation in writing. Chase will not charge you a fee to close, but they will not refund any overdraft fees or other charges you already owe.

The reason to do this in advance rather than waiting until the last minute is that some automatic payments take a few days to stop, and you want to catch any that slip through before your account is gone. If you have a savings account with Chase too, closing your checking account does not affect it — they are separate.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card, or visit a branch in person, to close your account — both are faster than the online method.
  • Move all your money out of the account before you close it, and check that no automatic payments or recurring charges are still set to pull from it.
  • Ask Chase to send you written confirmation that the account is closed, so you have proof if a charge shows up later.
  • If you have overdraft fees or other charges on the account, Chase will not refund them when you close, but you can ask to speak with a manager about waiving them.
  • After closing, monitor your credit report for a few months to make sure no old charges reappear.

Three ways to close your account

The fastest method is to call Chase customer service. The number is on the back of your debit card, or you can find it on Chase.com. Tell them you want to close your checking account. They will ask you to confirm your identity, check that your balance is zero, and then process the closure. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Ask them to email or mail you a confirmation letter with the date the account closed.

The second method is to visit a Chase branch in person. Bring your debit card and a photo ID. A teller can close the account on the spot and give you a receipt. This is a good option if you have questions or if you want to move your money to a different bank while you are there.

The third method is through Chase's website or mobile app. Log in, go to your account settings, and look for the option to close the account. This method can take several business days to complete, and you may not get confirmation right away. For that reason, calling or visiting a branch is usually better.

What to do before you close

First, move all your money out. You can transfer it to another bank account, withdraw it in cash, or move it to a Chase savings account if you have one. Chase will not close an account that still has money in it, so make sure the balance shows zero.

Second, stop any automatic payments or recurring charges. Log into your account and look for any subscriptions, bill payments, or transfers that are set to pull from this checking account. You can find these by looking at your recent transactions or by checking your account settings. Cancel or change each one to pull from a different account instead. This is important because if a payment tries to go through after the account closes, it can trigger overdraft fees or cause the payment to fail.

Third, update your direct deposit if you have one. If your paycheck or benefits go into this account, you need to change that to your new account before you close this one. Contact your employer or the benefits office and give them your new account number. Allow at least one pay cycle for the change to take effect.

Fourth, check your recent statements for any charges you do not recognize. If you see something wrong, report it to Chase before you close the account. Once the account is closed, it is harder to dispute old charges.

What happens to overdraft fees and other charges

If your account has an overdraft fee or other charges on it, Chase will not refund them when you close. However, you can ask to speak with a manager and explain your situation. Some managers will waive one overdraft fee if you have been a customer for a long time or if the fee was a mistake. It does not hurt to ask, but there is no may provide.

If you owe money on the account — meaning your balance is negative — you have to bring it to zero before Chase will close it. You can do this by depositing money, or by asking Chase to take the amount owed from another account you have with them.

After you close the account

Ask Chase to send you a written confirmation that the account is closed. This is important because if a charge shows up on the account after it closes, you will have proof that the account was no longer active. Keep this letter for at least a year.

For the next few months, check your credit report to make sure no old charges or collection attempts show up. You can get a free copy of your credit report once a year from AnnualCreditReport.com. If you see something that should not be there, contact the credit bureau and dispute it.

If you set up a new checking account at a different bank, make sure all your automatic payments and direct deposits have switched over. Check your first few statements to confirm that everything is going where it should.

What to do if you want to reopen the account later

If you close your account and then change your mind, you can open a new Chase checking account. However, Chase will not reopen the old account — you will have to open a new one with a new account number. This means you will need to update your direct deposit and automatic payments again.

Chase has a policy about how soon you can close and reopen an account. The exact rules vary, so call customer service to ask before you close if you think you might want to come back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I still have pending transactions?

Chase will not close the account until your balance is zero and all pending transactions have cleared. If you have a check you wrote that has not cleared yet, you may need to wait a few days. You can ask Chase how long to wait, or you can keep the account open until the check clears.

What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?

You cannot close an account with a negative balance. You have to deposit money to bring it to zero, or ask Chase to take the amount owed from another account you have with them. Once the balance is zero, you can close it.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking account does not show up on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Credit reports track credit accounts like credit cards and loans, not checking accounts.

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

If you close by phone or in person, the account closes when ready, but it can take a few business days for all pending transactions to clear. If you close online, it can take several business days. Ask for a confirmation letter so you have proof of when it closed.

What if a charge shows up after I close the account?

Contact Chase right away and tell them the account is closed. They can help you dispute the charge or redirect it to another account. This is why keeping your confirmation letter is important — it proves the account was already closed when the charge occurred.