You can close your Navy Federal checking account by phone, in person, or by mail, but you need to settle your balance first

Navy Federal will close your account once you've paid any outstanding balance and confirmed you want to close it. The fastest way is to call Navy Federal's member services line at 1-888-842-6328 and ask to close your checking account. They'll verify your identity, confirm your account balance, and walk you through next steps on the same call. If you prefer not to call, you can visit a Navy Federal branch in person or send a written request by mail.

Before you close, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to this account are moved to another bank account or cancelled. Navy Federal will not close the account if money is still owed, and they won't transfer a negative balance to another account you hold with them.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-888-842-6328 to close your account over the phone, which usually takes less than 10 minutes once your balance is settled.
  • You must pay any outstanding balance before Navy Federal will close the account; they cannot close an account with money owed.
  • Stop or redirect any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring charges before you close, or they may be rejected.
  • Navy Federal will mail you a confirmation once the account is closed, which you should keep for your records.
  • If you have a negative balance, you must pay it in full; Navy Federal will not move it to another account you own.

What happens to your debit card and checks

Your Navy Federal debit card will stop working once the account is closed, usually within one business day of closure. If you have unused checks, they will no longer be valid after the account closes. You don't need to do anything with old checks — just don't use them. If you're concerned about checks you've already written that haven't cleared, contact Navy Federal before closing to confirm those transactions will still process.

If you have a Navy Federal credit card (separate from your checking account), closing your checking account will not affect it. Your credit card and checking account are independent products.

Steps to close by phone

Call 1-888-842-6328 during Navy Federal's business hours. Have your account number and a form of identification ready. The representative will ask you to confirm your current balance and verify that you want to close the account. If your balance is positive (you have money in the account), they can arrange to send you a check or transfer the funds to another account you provide.

If your balance is zero or you've already withdrawn your money, the representative will close the account when ready. Ask them to confirm the closure date and request a written confirmation by mail. Keep this confirmation for your records, especially if you're closing because of fraud or a dispute.

Closing in person at a Navy Federal branch

Visit any Navy Federal branch with your ID and ask to close your checking account. Bring your debit card if you have it. A representative will verify your identity, confirm your balance, and process the closure. If you have a positive balance, you can request a check on the spot or arrange a transfer to another bank account.

In-person closure is useful if you want to withdraw cash when ready or if you have questions the representative can answer face-to-face. Bring any documents related to the account if there's a dispute or unusual situation.

Closing by mail

Write a letter to Navy Federal requesting account closure. Include your full name, account number, and the date you want the account closed. Mail it to Navy Federal's address — you can find the correct mailing address by calling 1-888-842-6328 or checking your most recent statement.

Closing by mail takes longer than phone or in-person closure, usually one to two weeks. Before you mail the letter, make sure your balance is zero or positive. If you have a positive balance, include instructions for how you want the funds sent (check or transfer to another account). Keep a copy of your letter for your records.

What to do before closing your account

Review your recent transactions to make sure all checks have cleared and all automatic payments have stopped. If you have recurring bills set to this account — insurance, utilities, subscriptions, loan payments — update those with a new bank account or payment method before you close. Rejected payments can damage your credit or result in late fees.

Check whether you have any Navy Federal loans tied to this account. Some loans require an active checking account for automatic payment. If you're closing your checking account but keeping a loan, contact Navy Federal to update your payment method before closure.

If you're closing because of fraud or unauthorized transactions, tell the representative when you call. Navy Federal may flag the account and investigate, which can take longer than a standard closure.

After your account is closed

Navy Federal will send you a final statement showing the closure date and your final balance. This statement arrives by mail within one to two weeks. Keep it with your tax and financial records.

If you need to reference old transactions after closure, you can still contact Navy Federal to request copies of statements or transaction history. There is usually no charge for statements from the past few years, though very old records may require a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Navy Federal checking account after I close it?

Yes. You can open a new Navy Federal checking account at any time if you remain a member. However, if your account was closed due to fraud or violation of Navy Federal's terms, they may not allow you to open a new account when ready. Contact Navy Federal to ask about reopening if your closure was recent.

What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?

Navy Federal will not close the account until the negative balance is paid in full. You must deposit money to bring the balance to zero. Once paid, call back to close the account. Navy Federal will not transfer a negative balance to another account you own.

Will closing my Navy Federal checking account affect my credit score?

Closing a checking account does not directly affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history, not checking accounts. However, if you have unpaid fees or a negative balance that Navy Federal reports to a collection agency, that could affect your credit.

How long does it take to close a Navy Federal checking account?

By phone or in person, closure is when ready once your balance is settled. By mail, it takes one to two weeks. You'll receive written confirmation by mail within one to two weeks regardless of how you close.

Can I close my account if I still have pending transactions?

Navy Federal will close the account, but pending transactions may still process afterward and could overdraw the closed account. Before closing, wait for all pending transactions to clear or contact Navy Federal to confirm those transactions will process before closure.