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

To open a joint checking account at Chase, both account holders must visit a branch in person or complete the process online if you both have existing Chase accounts. Chase requires each person to provide a government-issued ID, a Social Security number, and proof of address. One person can start the account online or by phone, but the second account holder must verify their identity and consent to the account before it becomes active.

The process takes about 15 minutes in a branch or 10 to 15 minutes online if both of you are present. Chase will run a ChexSystems check on both account holders — this is a banking history report, not a credit check. If either person has a history of unpaid overdrafts or fraud flagged in ChexSystems, Chase may deny the account or require additional documentation.

You can choose from Chase's checking account products: Chase Total Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, or Chase Sapphire Checking. Each has different monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, and benefits. Both account holders have equal access to the account and can withdraw, deposit, and transfer money without permission from the other person.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account holders must provide a government ID, Social Security number, and proof of address; one person can start online, but the second person must verify their identity in person or through Chase's online verification process.
  • Chase runs a ChexSystems check on both people, which looks at banking history — not credit — and can result in denial if either person has unpaid overdrafts or fraud on record.
  • The account opens within 15 minutes in a branch or online, and both people have full access to deposit, withdraw, and transfer money without needing the other person's permission.
  • Monthly fees range from $0 to $25 depending on which checking product you choose, and some accounts waive fees if you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit.

What documents and information to bring

Bring a current government-issued ID for each account holder — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Chase will not accept expired IDs or IDs without a photo. You will also need to provide a Social Security number for each person; Chase uses this to verify identity and run the ChexSystems check.

Proof of address must be a document dated within the last 60 days showing your current address. A utility bill, lease agreement, or recent bank statement works. If you moved recently and your ID does not match your current address, bring both the old ID and a proof of address document. Chase will not accept a PO box as a residential address.

If you are opening the account online, you will enter this information directly into Chase's system. If you are opening in a branch, bring the physical documents. Have your phone number and email address ready — Chase will use these to set up online banking and send account confirmations.

Opening the account in a branch versus online

Opening in a Chase branch takes about 15 minutes and requires both account holders to be present. The banker will verify both IDs, run the ChexSystems check, and set up the account on the spot. You will leave with a debit card for one account holder (the second card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days) and when ready access to online banking. This route is fastest if you want to use the account the same day.

Opening online is faster if both of you have existing Chase accounts and can complete the process together. You can start the process on Chase's website, and the second account holder receives a notification to verify their identity and consent. If the second person does not have a Chase account, they must complete identity verification through Chase's online system, which involves answering security questions and may require uploading a photo of their ID. This process typically takes 24 to 48 hours.

If one person has a Chase account and the other does not, you have two options: both go to a branch together, or the person without an account opens one first (which takes about 10 minutes online), then you add the joint account. The second option takes longer overall but avoids a branch visit.

Monthly fees and minimum balance requirements

Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee, waived if you maintain a $500 minimum daily balance, set up direct deposit, or keep $500 in linked savings. Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and requires a $15,000 minimum balance to waive the fee — this account includes benefits like higher ATM reimbursement and priority customer service. Chase Sapphire Checking has no monthly fee but requires a $500 minimum balance and is only available to customers with a Chase Sapphire credit card or $250,000 in linked assets.

The minimum balance is calculated on your daily balance, not your average balance. If your balance drops below the requirement on any single day, you will be charged the monthly fee. Direct deposit counts toward the fee waiver on Total Checking even if the deposit is small — some customers waive the fee with a $25 paycheck deposit each month.

Both account holders can contribute to the minimum balance. If one person deposits $300 and the other deposits $200, the account meets a $500 requirement. There is no separate minimum for joint accounts — the rules are the same as for individual accounts.

What happens after the account opens

Once the account is active, both account holders can log into Chase's website or mobile app using their own username and password. Each person sees the same account balance and transaction history. You can set up alerts together — for example, a notification when the balance drops below $500 — and both people receive them.

Debit cards are issued in each person's name. The first card is ready in the branch or arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you opened online. The second card arrives separately, also within 7 to 10 business days. Each person can use their card independently, and transactions appear in the shared account when ready.

If either account holder wants to remove the other person, they can do so online or in a branch. Chase will convert the account to a single-holder account in the name of the person who initiated the change. The other person loses access. Some joint account holders set a rule that both people must agree before removing anyone, but Chase does not enforce this — it is a personal agreement between the account holders.

What disqualifies you from opening a joint account

A negative ChexSystems report can result in denial. This includes unpaid overdrafts, a history of fraud, or repeated NSF (non-sufficient funds) fees that went unpaid. Chase may still open the account if the issue is old or if you can explain it, but they have the right to deny. You can request your ChexSystems report for free at www.chexsystems.com before you explore to see if there are any flags.

If either account holder is under 18, Chase will not open a joint account. One person must be at least 18 and the other at least 13 to open a joint account; if the second person is under 18, a parent or guardian must be present and consent. Chase does not offer joint accounts for non-U.S. citizens without a Social Security number, though some branches may have exceptions — call ahead to ask.

If you cannot provide a current government ID or proof of address, Chase will not open the account. If you are in the ChexSystems database as a victim of identity theft, you may need to provide additional documentation to prove your identity. Contact Chase directly before visiting a branch if you think this applies to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can one person open a joint account without the other person being present?

One person can start the process online or in a branch, but the second account holder must verify their identity and consent before the account becomes active. If you open in a branch, both people must be present. If you open online, the second person receives a notification and can complete their part of the process remotely within a few days.

What if one account holder has a bad ChexSystems report?

Chase may deny the account or require additional documentation from that person. You can request your ChexSystems report free at www.chexsystems.com and dispute any errors before you explore. If the issue is old or resolved, Chase may still approve the account — call your local branch to ask before visiting.

Can I remove the other person from the joint account later?

Yes, either account holder can remove the other person online or in a branch. The account converts to a single-holder account in the name of the person who initiated the removal. The other person loses access when ready. Chase does not require consent from both people to make this change.

Do both people need to be present to use the account?

No. Both account holders have equal, independent access. Either person can deposit, withdraw, or transfer money without permission from the other. Both people see the same balance and transaction history in their own online banking login.

How long does it take to receive the debit cards?

If you open in a branch, one debit card is ready when ready and the second arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you open online, both cards arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can use the account online or at ATMs before the physical cards arrive.