The basic steps to close your Navy Federal account
To close your Navy Federal account, you contact the credit union directly by phone, in person, or through their online messaging system. Navy Federal will ask you to pay any outstanding balances, confirm you want to close, and then process the closure. The account typically closes within a few business days after you've settled what you owe.
You don't need a reason to close, and there's no penalty for doing so. Navy Federal will ask what prompted the decision, but your answer won't affect whether they process it. If you have direct deposits or automatic payments set up, you'll need to update those before or when ready after closing so money doesn't go to a dead account.
Key Takeaways
- Call Navy Federal's member services line, visit a branch in person, or use their online message system to request closure.
- You must pay off any negative balance, overdrafts, or outstanding fees before the account can close.
- Update your direct deposit and automatic payments with your new bank or credit union before the account closes.
- Keep your account number and final statement for your records, especially if you had loans or credit cards with Navy Federal.
- If you have a Navy Federal credit card or loan, closing your checking or savings account does not close those products.
How to contact Navy Federal to start the closure
The fastest way is to call Navy Federal's member services line at 1-888-842-6328. Have your account number ready. A representative will walk you through what happens next and answer questions about your balance or pending transactions.
If you prefer in person, visit any Navy Federal branch with your ID. A representative can close the account on the spot if everything is settled. You can also log into your Navy Federal online account and use their find message system to request closure, though this method takes longer because you'll need to wait for a response.
Settling your balance before closure
Navy Federal will not close an account with a negative balance. If you're overdrawn, you must deposit enough money to bring it to zero. If you have outstanding fees or pending transactions that haven't cleared yet, those must be resolved first.
Ask the representative whether any checks you've written are still pending. If they are, wait until they clear before closing, or the account may stay open longer than expected. The same applies to automatic payments — if one is scheduled to come out the day after you request closure, that transaction may delay the process.
What happens to your direct deposits and automatic payments
Once your Navy Federal account closes, any direct deposits sent to it will bounce back to the sender. Your employer or benefit provider will usually retry the deposit, but you may lose a few days of access to that money. Update your direct deposit information with your employer, your bank, or the government agency sending the payment before you close the account.
Automatic payments — bills, subscriptions, loan payments to other lenders — will also fail if they're set to pull from your Navy Federal account. Log into each service and update the payment method to your new bank account. If you forget one, you'll get a failed payment notice, which may trigger a late fee from that creditor.
Navy Federal credit cards and loans stay open
Closing your Navy Federal checking or savings account does not close a Navy Federal credit card or loan. Those are separate products. If you have a Navy Federal Visa card, for example, it will remain active even after your bank account is gone.
If you want to close a credit card or loan as well, you'll need to request that separately. For a credit card, call the number on the back of the card. For a loan, contact Navy Federal's loan services department. Closing a credit card may affect your credit score, so understand the impact before you do it.
Getting your final statement and records
Ask Navy Federal to mail you a final statement showing the account closure date and any remaining balance. Keep this for your records. If you had checks linked to the account, destroy any remaining checks so they can't be used after closure.
If you need copies of old statements or transaction history after the account closes, Navy Federal can usually provide them. Request these before closure if possible, or ask how long the credit union keeps records after an account is closed. Most keep them for at least seven years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Navy Federal account after I close it?
Yes. Navy Federal can reopen a closed account within a certain timeframe, though the exact window varies. If you change your mind shortly after closure, call member services and ask whether reopening is possible. If too much time has passed, you can open a new account, though you may need to meet membership requirements again.
What if I have a pending check that hasn't cleared yet?
Wait until the check clears before closing the account. If you close before it clears, the check may bounce when it's presented to the bank. Ask Navy Federal how long pending checks typically take, or contact the person or business you wrote the check to and ask them to hold it until you've updated your account information.
Do I lose my debit card when ready when I close?
Your debit card will stop working once the account is closed, which usually happens within a few business days of your request. Don't rely on it after you've requested closure. If you have pending transactions that haven't posted yet, they may fail after the account closes.
Will closing my Navy Federal account hurt my credit?
Closing a checking or savings account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. However, if you close a Navy Federal credit card, that may lower your score temporarily because it reduces your available credit. Closing a loan early may have different effects depending on the loan type.
What if Navy Federal says I owe money I don't think I owe?
Ask for an itemized list of the charges or fees. Review your statements to understand what they're claiming. If you disagree, ask to speak with a supervisor or request that the charge be reviewed. You can also file a dispute, though you may need to resolve it before the account can close.