What you need to bring and who can open a joint account with you

A joint account at Chase is a single checking or savings account owned by two or more people. Each owner can deposit money, withdraw money, and make decisions about the account — you do not need permission from the other owner to use it. Chase lets you open a joint account in person at a branch, online, or by phone, though the process differs slightly depending on which method you choose.

To open a joint account, you will need a government-issued photo ID for each person on the account. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you are opening the account in person, both owners should go to the branch together, though Chase sometimes allows one person to start the process and the second owner to complete it later by phone or in person. If you are opening online or by phone, you will provide information about both owners, and Chase will contact the second owner to verify their identity.

You can open a joint account with a spouse, family member, business partner, or anyone else. Chase does not restrict who can be a joint owner. However, both people must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Key Takeaways

  • Both owners need a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security number or ITIN to open a joint account at Chase.
  • You can open a joint account in person at a Chase branch, online through Chase.com, or by calling Chase at 1-800-935-9935.
  • Each owner has full access to the account and can withdraw money or close it without the other owner's permission.
  • Chase charges monthly maintenance fees for most joint accounts unless you meet balance or direct deposit requirements, which vary by account type.
  • The account will be reported to credit bureaus under both owners' names, so late payments or overdrafts affect both credit reports.

Opening a joint account in person at a Chase branch

Walk into any Chase branch with both owners present and their photo IDs. Tell the banker you want to open a joint account and say whether you want checking, savings, or both. The banker will ask for basic information: full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers or ITINs for both owners.

The banker will explain the account features, fees, and minimum balance requirements. Chase offers several checking and savings products — the most common are Chase Total Checking, Chase Savings, and Chase Premier Plus Checking — and the fees and benefits differ. Ask which account fits your situation before you sign anything. You will sign documents that confirm both owners' identities and authorize the account opening.

Once you sign, the account opens when ready. You will receive a debit card for the account on the spot or within a few business days, and you can start using the account right away. If only one owner can go to the branch, that person can start the process and the second owner can complete it by phone or in person within a set timeframe — ask the banker for the exact important date.

Opening a joint account online through Chase.com

Go to Chase.com and click "Open an Account." Select the account type you want — checking or savings — and then select "Joint Account" when prompted. You will enter information for the primary account holder first: name, date of birth, address, phone number, Social Security number or ITIN, and employment status.

Next, you will enter the same information for the second owner. Chase will ask for an email address for the second owner and will send them a link to verify their identity. The second owner must click that link and provide their own photo ID information — Chase uses this to confirm their identity before the account opens.

The entire process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes if both owners have their information ready. Once Chase confirms both identities, the account opens and you can log in when ready. Debit cards ship within 7 to 10 business days. You can start using the account for transfers and bill pay before the card arrives.

Opening a joint account by phone

Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and tell the representative you want to open a joint account. Have both owners' photo IDs, Social Security numbers or ITINs, and current addresses ready. The representative will ask the same questions as the in-person or online process: names, dates of birth, phone numbers, and employment information.

The representative will explain the account options and fees, then transfer you or the second owner to verify their identity. Chase may ask security questions or request that you upload a photo of your ID. Once both owners are verified, the account opens and you will receive confirmation by email. Debit cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days.

Monthly fees and how to avoid them

Most Chase checking accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee — typically $12 to $15 — unless you meet one of these conditions: maintain a minimum daily balance (usually $500 to $1,500), set up direct deposit of at least $500 per month, or keep a linked savings account with a minimum balance. Savings accounts usually charge no monthly fee but pay very low interest rates.

Before you open the account, ask the banker or representative which fee waiver option is easiest for you. If you receive a paycheck by direct deposit, that usually waives the fee automatically. If you do not, maintaining the minimum balance is often simpler than trying to remember a requirement each month.

Chase also charges overdraft fees if the account balance goes negative — typically $35 per overdraft — and may charge fees for wire transfers, stop payments, or other services. Read the fee schedule for your specific account type before you sign.

What happens after you open the account

Both owners receive separate online login credentials and can access the account independently. You can set up bill pay, transfers, and mobile deposits from either owner's phone or computer. Deposits made by one owner are when ready available to the other.

The account will be reported to credit bureaus under both owners' names. This means that if the account is overdrawn or a payment is late, both owners' credit reports are affected. If one owner has poor credit, opening a joint account may lower the other owner's credit score.

Either owner can close the account at any time without the other owner's permission. If you are concerned about this, discuss account rules with the other owner before opening it. Some couples or business partners sign a separate agreement about how the account will be used, though Chase does not require this.

Joint accounts versus other options

A joint account is not the only way to share money with someone. A power of attorney lets one person manage another person's account without being a legal owner — useful if you want to help an aging parent pay bills but do not want to own their money. A payable-on-death account (POD) lets you name someone to receive the account balance after you die, but they cannot access it while you are alive.

If you want to share money but keep separate accounts, you can set up automatic transfers between accounts or add someone as an authorized user on your account — they can use a debit card but cannot close the account or change settings. Talk to a Chase banker about which option fits your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a joint account if one owner does not have a Social Security number?

Yes. If the second owner has an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of a Social Security number, Chase will accept it. An ITIN is issued by the IRS to people who do not have a Social Security number but need to file taxes. Bring the ITIN document to the branch or have it ready when you call.

What if one owner wants to close the account but the other does not?

Either owner can close a joint account without the other owner's permission. If this concerns you, discuss account rules before opening it or consider a different account structure. Some couples sign a separate agreement about how the account will be used, though Chase does not require this and cannot enforce it.

Does opening a joint account hurt my credit score?

Opening the account itself does not hurt your credit score — Chase does not do a hard credit pull. However, the account is reported to credit bureaus under both owners' names, so overdrafts, late payments, or negative balances will appear on both credit reports and may lower both scores.

Can I remove someone from a joint account without closing it?

No. You cannot remove one owner and keep the account open. If one owner wants out, you must close the account and open a new one with the remaining owner. Go to a Chase branch or call 1-800-935-9935 to close it.

How long does it take to open a joint account?

In person, the account opens when ready and you can use it the same day. Online or by phone, the account usually opens within a few hours to one business day once both owners verify their identities. Debit cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days in all cases.