What you need to do to open a joint account at Chase

You and the other account holder can open a joint account at Chase in person at a branch, online through Chase.com, or by phone. The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes in a branch, longer online because you'll need to verify your identity through their system. Both people must be present (in person or digitally) and must bring government-issued photo ID. Chase will run a background check on both account holders using ChexSystems, their banking history verification service.

The account becomes active when ready after approval, though it may take one to two business days for the account number to appear in your online banking portal. You can deposit money and set up direct deposit right away. Both account holders have equal access to the full balance and can withdraw, transfer, or close the account without the other person's permission.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account holders must provide government-issued photo ID and be present either in person or online during the account opening process.
  • Chase runs a ChexSystems check on both people, which looks at banking history and can delay approval if either person has unpaid overdrafts or fraud flags at other banks.
  • You can choose from checking, savings, or money market accounts, each with different monthly fees and minimum balance requirements.
  • Both account holders have full access to all money in the account and can make withdrawals or close the account independently.

Documents and information you'll need to bring

Bring a government-issued photo ID for each account holder — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Chase will also ask for a Social Security number for each person, which they use for the ChexSystems check and to report interest income to the IRS. If either account holder has moved recently, bring a piece of mail showing your current address dated within the last 60 days, such as a utility bill or lease agreement.

If you're opening the account online, you'll upload photos of both IDs and answer identity verification questions. Chase's system will ask you to confirm your address, previous addresses, and sometimes details about past accounts. This process is automated and usually takes a few minutes, though if the system flags anything unusual it may ask you to call and verify by phone.

The difference between in-person and online account opening

Opening in a Chase branch is faster if both of you can go together. A banker will verify your IDs on the spot, answer questions about account features, and set up online banking access before you leave. The account is usually ready to use the same day. You can also ask about promotional offers — Chase sometimes offers cash bonuses for new checking accounts, though the terms vary by location and change throughout the year.

Opening online through Chase.com takes longer because the identity verification happens through automated checks and sometimes requires a callback from Chase. You'll answer security questions based on your credit history, and if the system can't verify you automatically, a Chase representative will call within one business day. The advantage is that you can start the process at any time, and both account holders can complete their parts separately if needed — though you'll both need to be present to authorize the account.

Phone account opening is available but less common. You can call Chase at the number on the back of an existing Chase card or find the number on Chase.com. A representative will walk you through the same questions as the online process, but you won't be able to upload ID photos — they'll ask you to visit a branch within 30 days to verify your identity in person, or they may mail you a verification form.

Account types and fees

Chase offers three main account types for joint accounts: Chase Total Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, and Chase Savings. Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee, waived if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit. Sapphire Checking costs $25 per month and waives the fee if you keep $15,000 in the account or have a Chase mortgage or investment account. Savings accounts have no monthly fee but earn interest — the rate changes based on the Federal Reserve's actions and is typically very low, often under 0.01 percent.

Both account holders are responsible for the monthly fee if the waiver conditions aren't met. If the account goes negative, both people can be held liable for overdraft fees, which are $35 per transaction at Chase. You can set up overdraft protection by linking the account to a savings account or credit card, which transfers money automatically to cover shortfalls.

How joint ownership works at Chase

When you open a joint account, both people own the entire balance equally in the eyes of the law. This means either person can withdraw all the money, close the account, or change the account settings without asking the other person. Chase does not offer a "require both signatures" option on personal checking or savings accounts — that feature is only available for business accounts.

If one account holder dies, the money in the account passes to the surviving account holder automatically, outside of probate. This is called "right of survivorship" and is the default for joint accounts at Chase. If you want the money to go to your estate instead, you would need to open the account as "tenants in common" rather than "joint tenants with right of survivorship," but Chase does not offer this option through their standard account opening process — you would need to speak with a banker or estate attorney about alternatives.

For tax purposes, Chase reports all interest earned on the account to both Social Security numbers. Each person receives a 1099-INT form showing their share of the interest, though the IRS does not automatically split the interest — you may need to report how you actually divided it on your tax return.

What happens if the ChexSystems check finds a problem

Chase uses ChexSystems to check for unpaid overdrafts, fraud, or other banking problems at other institutions. If either account holder has an open dispute, an unpaid overdraft from another bank, or a history of check fraud, Chase may deny the account. If this happens, you'll receive a letter explaining the reason and information about how to dispute the finding with ChexSystems directly.

You can request a copy of your ChexSystems report for free at ChexSystems.com. If you find an error — for example, an overdraft you already paid — you can dispute it directly with ChexSystems and ask them to notify Chase. This process usually takes 30 to 45 days. Once the dispute is resolved, you can reapply for the account.

If Chase denies the account because of your banking history, you may still be able to open an account at another bank. Some banks have second-chance checking programs that accept people with ChexSystems issues, though these accounts often have higher fees or lower limits on debit card transactions.

Setting up online banking and debit cards

Once the account is open, both account holders can set up their own login to Chase.com or the Chase mobile app using their own username and password. Each person sees the same account balance and transaction history — there's no way to hide transactions from the other account holder. You can set up alerts together, such as notifications when the balance drops below a certain amount or when a large transaction occurs.

Chase will mail a debit card to each account holder at the address on file. The cards arrive separately, usually within 5 to 7 business days. Both cards draw from the same account, so if one person spends the money, the other person's card will reflect the lower balance when ready. You can set daily spending limits on each card through the mobile app, though both people can change these limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a joint account if one person has bad credit?

Chase does not check credit scores for checking or savings accounts, only ChexSystems banking history. Bad credit will not prevent you from opening an account. However, if either person has unpaid overdrafts or fraud flags in ChexSystems, the account may be denied.

What if one account holder wants to close the account?

Either person can close a joint account without the other person's permission. Chase will mail a check for the remaining balance to the address on file. If you want to prevent this, you would need to keep the account in one person's name only, which means the other person would not have access.

Do I need to be a Chase customer already to open a joint account?

No. Both account holders can be new to Chase. If you're opening online and neither of you has a Chase account, the identity verification may take longer because Chase has no existing information about you in their system.

Can we open a joint account if we live in different states?

Yes. You can open a joint account online or by phone even if you live in different states. Both people will need to verify their identity, and Chase will mail debit cards and statements to the addresses on file for each account holder.

What if one account holder is not a U.S. citizen?

Chase requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for each account holder. A non-citizen with an ITIN can open a joint account. You'll need to bring a passport or other government-issued ID from your country of origin along with your ITIN documentation.