What you need to bring and who can be on the account
Chase lets you open a joint checking account with another person in one visit to a branch or online. Both account holders must be present in person at a Chase branch, or you can start the process online and one person completes it in-branch while the other signs documents remotely through Chase's digital verification system.
Each person on the account needs a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), a Social Security number, and a current address. Chase will ask for both pieces of information during the account setup. If either person does not have a Social Security number, you cannot open a joint account — Chase requires one for each owner.
Both account holders have equal rights to the money and can withdraw, transfer, or close the account without the other person's permission. This matters legally: if the relationship ends, either person can empty the account. Some couples use a joint account for shared expenses and keep separate accounts for personal money.
Key Takeaways
- Both account holders must provide a valid photo ID, Social Security number, and current address at a Chase branch or through online verification.
- You can open the account in person at a branch with both people present, or one person can start online and the other can complete verification remotely.
- Each person on a joint account has full access to all the money and can withdraw or transfer funds without permission from the other owner.
- Chase offers several joint checking account types with different monthly fees, minimum balances, and features — compare them before you open.
- The account is set up with "joint tenancy with rights of survivorship" by default, meaning the surviving owner inherits the balance if one owner dies.
Steps to open the account in person at a branch
Find your nearest Chase branch using the branch locator on Chase.com or the mobile app. Call ahead or check the branch hours online — some locations have limited hours or may require an appointment during busy times. Bring both IDs, both Social Security numbers written down, and a current address for each person.
Tell the banker you want to open a joint checking account. They will ask which account type you want — Chase offers Chase Total Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, and Chase Sapphire Checking, each with different monthly fees (ranging from $0 to $25 depending on the account) and different ways to waive the fee. Ask the banker to explain the fee structure for each one, because the way to avoid the fee matters: some require a minimum balance, others require direct deposit, and some waive it if you maintain a certain number of debit card transactions per month.
The banker will collect both Social Security numbers, verify both IDs, and confirm both current addresses. They will explain that both people have equal access to the account. You will sign the signature card together, and the banker will issue debit cards on the spot or mail them within 7 to 10 business days. The account is usually open and ready to use the same day.
Opening the account online with remote verification
Go to Chase.com and select "Open an account." Choose "Joint Checking" and enter the information for the first account holder. Chase will ask for a photo ID, Social Security number, and current address. You will verify your identity by uploading a photo of your ID and answering security questions based on your credit history.
After the first person completes online verification, Chase sends a link to the second account holder's email. That person enters their information, uploads their ID photo, and answers security questions. At this point, one of you must visit a Chase branch in person to sign the final documents and set up the account. Chase calls this the "in-person completion step," and it must happen within 30 days of starting the online process.
When you go to the branch for the final signature, bring both IDs again. The banker will confirm both Social Security numbers match what was entered online, have both people sign the signature card, and issue debit cards. The account is active the same day.
Monthly fees and how to avoid them
Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee that you can waive by doing any one of these: maintain a $1,500 minimum daily balance, set up direct deposit of at least $500 per month, or make 10 or more debit card transactions per month. Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and waives the fee if you maintain a $15,000 minimum daily balance or have $100,000 or more in combined Chase deposits and investments. Chase Sapphire Checking has no monthly fee.
The fee applies to the entire account, not per person. If you do not meet the waiver requirement, Chase charges the fee once per month on a date shown in your account agreement. The fee comes out of the account balance automatically.
What happens to the account if one owner dies
Chase sets up joint accounts with "joint tenancy with rights of survivorship" by default. This means the surviving owner automatically inherits the full balance when the other owner dies — the money does not go through probate or the deceased person's will. The surviving owner can continue using the account when ready.
To claim the account after a death, the surviving owner brings a certified copy of the death certificate to a Chase branch. Chase will remove the deceased person's name from the account and confirm the surviving owner has full control. This process usually takes a few business days.
If you want a different arrangement — for example, if you want the account to pass through probate or split between multiple heirs — you can ask Chase to set up the account as "tenants in common" instead. This is less common and requires a written request at the time you open the account. Ask the banker about this option if it matters to your situation.
Adding or removing an account owner later
You cannot add a third person to an existing joint account. If you want to add someone, you must close the current account and open a new one with all three people present. Chase will not convert a two-person account to a three-person account.
To remove an owner from a joint account, both people must go to a Chase branch together and sign a form requesting the change. Chase will then convert the account to a single-owner account under the person whose name remains. The other person loses access to the account and its balance. If the two owners disagree about removing someone, Chase cannot process the request without a court order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a joint account online without going to a branch?
No. One person must visit a Chase branch in person to sign the final documents and set up the account, even if you start the process online. This in-person step must happen within 30 days of beginning the online process.
What if one person does not have a Social Security number?
Chase requires a Social Security number for each account owner. If someone does not have one, you cannot open a joint account with them. They would need to obtain an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from the IRS first, though Chase may not accept an ITIN in place of a Social Security number — call your local branch to confirm.
Can I have different access levels so one person can only see the balance but not withdraw money?
No. On a joint account, both owners have equal rights to all the money. Chase does not offer tiered access or restrictions on joint accounts. If you need different permission levels, you would need to use a different banking structure, such as a power of attorney or a custodial account.
How long does it take to open a joint account?
If you open in person at a branch with both people present, the account is usually active the same day and debit cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If you start online, the in-person completion step at a branch takes one visit, and the account is active the same day.
What if one owner wants to close the account and the other does not?
Either owner can close a joint account without the other person's permission. If one person closes it, the other loses access to the account and its funds. If you are concerned about this, discuss account rules with the other owner before opening, or consider keeping separate accounts for money you do not want to share.