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

You and the other account holder can open a joint checking account at Chase in person at a branch, online through Chase.com, or by phone. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes in a branch, or 10 to 15 minutes online if both of you have Chase accounts already. Both account holders must be present (in person or verified online) and provide government-issued ID, Social Security number, and proof of address.

Chase will run a background check through ChexSystems, a banking history database. This does not prevent you from opening an account if you have had problems with banks before, but Chase uses it to decide what features and limits to offer. You will fund the account with an opening deposit — Chase has no minimum for most checking accounts, though some branches may ask for $25 to $100 to set up the account when ready.

Both account holders have equal access to the account and can withdraw, transfer, or close it without the other person's permission. This matters for relationships where one person might not want the other making large moves. If that is a concern, a joint account may not be the right structure for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account holders must show government ID, provide a Social Security number, and prove their address — Chase will not open the account with just one person present.
  • You can open online if both of you already have Chase accounts, or in a branch or by phone if one or both of you are new to Chase.
  • Chase runs a ChexSystems check but does not deny accounts based on banking history — it affects the account type and features you receive.
  • Each account holder has full access to all money in the account and can make withdrawals or close it without permission from the other person.
  • Opening deposit amounts vary by branch and account type, but many Chase checking accounts have no minimum.

Opening in person at a Chase branch

Walk into any Chase branch with both account holders present. Bring a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) for each person, and proof of address for each person — a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement works. You will also need both Social Security numbers.

Tell the banker you want to open a joint checking account. They will ask which account type you want — Chase offers several checking products with different features and fee structures. The most common is Chase Total Checking, which has no monthly fee if you meet one of several conditions: direct deposit, a $500 minimum balance, or five debit card transactions per month. If you do not meet any of those, the fee is $12 per month.

The banker will run the ChexSystems check, which takes a few minutes. You will sign documents and provide the opening deposit. The account is usually active the same day, and you can get a debit card when ready or request one by mail.

Opening online through Chase.com

If both account holders already have Chase online accounts, you can open a joint account from home. Go to Chase.com, sign in, and look for "Open an Account" or "New Accounts" in the menu. Select joint checking and follow the prompts.

You will enter the other person's name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Chase will send them a verification link by email or text. They must click that link and verify their identity — this usually means answering security questions or confirming recent transactions on their existing Chase account. Once they verify, you both review the account details and confirm the opening deposit amount.

The account opens within one business day. You can transfer money from an existing Chase account to fund it, or link an external bank account and transfer from there. Debit cards arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days, though you can use the account when ready with mobile pay or online transfers.

Opening by phone

Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and ask to open a joint checking account. A banker will walk you through the process, but both account holders must be on the call or available to verify their identity. The banker will ask for ID information, Social Security numbers, and proof of address for both people.

This route is slower than in-person or online — the banker may need to mail documents for both of you to sign, which adds several days. It is useful if you cannot visit a branch and one of you does not have an existing Chase account, but online is usually faster if you both do.

What happens after you open the account

Chase will mail debit cards to both account holders at the addresses you provided. The cards arrive in 7 to 10 business days. You can use the account online or through the Chase mobile app before the cards arrive — set up transfers, pay bills, or move money between accounts.

Both account holders can see all transactions and balances. If you set up online banking, each person logs in with their own username and password, but they see the same account. You can set up alerts together — for example, a notification when the balance drops below $500 — so both of you stay informed.

If you want to add a third person later, you cannot straightforward add them to the existing account. You would need to close this account and open a new one with all three names, or open a separate account for the third person. Chase does not support accounts with more than two owners.

Fees and account features

Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you have direct deposit, keep a $500 minimum balance, or make five debit card transactions per month. If you do not meet any of those, the fee is $12 per month. Other Chase checking products have different structures — some have higher minimums, some have higher fees, some waive fees for customers who also have savings accounts or credit cards with Chase.

All Chase checking accounts come with online banking, mobile app access, and the ability to use any Chase ATM for free. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals cost $3 per transaction. You get a debit card with no annual fee, and you can dispute fraudulent transactions — Chase's liability policy covers unauthorized charges if you report them within 60 days.

Overdraft protection is optional. If you turn it on, Chase will cover overdrafts by transferring money from a linked savings account or line of credit. If you do not have a linked account and overdraft protection is off, transactions will be declined if the balance is too low. Overdraft fees are $35 per transaction if you do overdraw.

What to know about joint account liability

Both account holders are equally responsible for the account. If one person writes a bad check or overdraws the account, both names are on the debt. If the account goes negative and Chase sends it to collections, both people's credit reports can be affected.

If the relationship ends — whether a marriage, partnership, or business arrangement — closing the account requires agreement from both people, or a court order. If one person wants out and the other does not, you may need to go to court to split the money or close the account. This is one reason some couples keep separate accounts and use a third joint account only for shared expenses.

If one account holder dies, the surviving account holder usually keeps access to the account and the money in it. Chase will ask for a death certificate, but the account does not automatically freeze. This is different from accounts with a "payable on death" (POD) designation, which passes to a named beneficiary outside the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Chase requires a Social Security number for both account holders. If one person does not have one, you cannot open a joint account. You could open an account in one person's name only, or explore other banks that may have different requirements.

What if one account holder wants to close the account and the other does not?

Chase will not close the account without both people's signatures or a court order. If you disagree, you may need to go to court to force a closure or split the money. Some couples in this situation ask a lawyer to send a letter to Chase, which sometimes prompts a faster resolution.

Do both people need to be present in the branch to open the account?

Yes, if you open in person. Both account holders must show ID and sign documents. If you open online and both already have Chase accounts, you do not need to be in the same place — the second person verifies their identity remotely.

Can I remove someone from a joint account later?

No. You cannot remove one person from an existing joint account. You would need to close the account and open a new one in a single name, or open a separate account. When you close, Chase will ask how to split the money if both people do not agree.

How long does it take to open a joint account at Chase?

In a branch, 15 to 20 minutes. Online, 10 to 15 minutes if both of you have existing Chase accounts. By phone, several days if documents need to be mailed for signatures. The account is usually active the same day (in-branch or online) or within one business day (phone).