You can close a TD Bank account in person, by phone, or by mail, but you need to settle any outstanding balance and remove automatic payments first
TD Bank does not charge a fee to close an account, but the process takes different amounts of time depending on how you do it. Closing in person at a branch is fastest — usually same-day. Closing by phone takes one to three business days. Closing by mail takes five to ten business days, depending on mail delivery and processing time.
Before you close, you need to do three things: move any money you want to keep to another account, cancel any automatic payments or transfers linked to the account, and pay off any outstanding balance or overdraft. TD Bank will not close an account with a negative balance.
Key Takeaways
- Closing in person at a TD Bank branch is the fastest method and confirms the account is closed on the same day.
- You must cancel all automatic payments, direct deposits, and recurring transfers before closing, or they may fail and create overdraft fees.
- If your account has a negative balance, you must pay it off before TD Bank will process the closure.
- By phone, call TD Bank customer service at 1-800-937-8372 and have your account number and ID ready.
- Keep written confirmation of the closure, whether you close in person, by phone, or by mail.
Closing your account in person at a TD Bank branch
Walk into any TD Bank branch with a government-issued ID and your account number. Tell the teller you want to close the account. They will verify your identity, confirm the account balance, and process the closure on the spot. If the account has a zero balance and no holds, you will receive written confirmation when ready.
If you have a small positive balance, the teller can issue a check or transfer the funds to another account you name. If the account is overdrawn, you must pay the negative balance before they will close it. Bring a debit card, check, or cash to cover any overdraft.
This method is best if you want same-day confirmation and have a branch near you. Keep the written confirmation they give you — you may need it to prove the account is closed if a payment attempt bounces later.
Closing your account by phone
Call TD Bank customer service at 1-800-937-8372. Have your account number, Social Security number, and a government-issued ID in front of you. The representative will verify your identity and ask why you are closing the account — this is routine and does not affect the closure.
Tell them to cancel all automatic payments and transfers linked to the account. The representative will confirm the account balance and, if it is positive, ask where to send the funds — to another account or as a check. If the account is overdrawn, you will need to pay the balance by phone using a debit card or bank account before they process the closure.
The closure takes one to three business days to process. Ask the representative for a confirmation number and note the date and time of the call. Follow up with a written request by mail if you want a paper record, though the phone confirmation is usually sufficient.
Closing your account by mail
Write a letter to TD Bank requesting account closure. Include your full name, account number, the account type (checking, savings, or money market), and your signature. State that you want all automatic payments and transfers cancelled and ask where your remaining balance should be sent.
Mail the letter to TD Bank's customer service address. You can find the correct mailing address on your TD Bank statement or by calling 1-800-937-8372 and asking for the closure department's address. Send it via certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery.
Processing takes five to ten business days after TD Bank receives your letter. If your account has a positive balance, they will mail you a check or transfer the funds to the account you specify. If the account is overdrawn, your letter will be returned and you will need to pay the balance before resubmitting.
What to do before you close: cancelling automatic payments and transfers
Any automatic payment or recurring transfer linked to your TD Bank account must be cancelled before closure. This includes bill payments, paycheck direct deposits, automatic transfers to savings, and subscription charges. If you do not cancel them, the payments may bounce after the account closes, creating overdraft fees at the merchant's bank and damaging your payment history.
Log into your TD Bank online account or mobile app and review the "Transfers" or "Bill Pay" section. Cancel each recurring payment individually. For paycheck direct deposits, contact your employer's payroll department and provide them with your new bank account number at least one pay period before the account closes.
For subscriptions and recurring charges (streaming services, insurance, utilities), log into each company's website and update your payment method to your new account. Do not rely on the merchant to stop charging when the account closes — they will attempt the charge and it will fail.
What happens to your remaining balance and how long it takes
If your account has money in it when you close, TD Bank will return the balance to you. You can ask them to transfer it to another bank account you own, mail you a check, or deposit it into another TD Bank account. The method you choose affects how long you receive the money.
A transfer to another account at TD Bank happens same-day if you close in person, or within one to three business days if you close by phone or mail. A check mailed to you takes five to ten business days to arrive, plus one to three business days for your bank to clear it. A transfer to an account at another bank takes one to three business days after the closure is processed.
If your account is overdrawn, you must pay the negative balance before closure. You cannot close an account with a debt to the bank. Pay the overdraft by debit card, check, or cash at a branch, or by phone using another bank account.
What to do if you have a TD Bank credit card or loan
Closing a checking or savings account does not close a credit card or loan account. If you have a TD Bank credit card, you must contact the credit card department separately at 1-800-937-8372 and ask to close the card. If you have an outstanding balance, you will need to pay it off or set up a payment plan before the card closes.
If you have a TD Bank loan (personal, auto, or home), closing your checking account does not affect the loan. You will still owe the balance and must continue making payments. Update your payment method to another bank account or set up automatic payments from a different bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my TD Bank account if I have a negative balance?
No. You must pay off any overdraft or negative balance before TD Bank will close the account. You can pay by debit card, check, or cash at a branch, or by phone using another bank account. Once the balance is zero or positive, you can proceed with closure.
What if I close my account but a payment tries to go through after?
The payment will be rejected and the merchant may charge you a returned-payment fee. To prevent this, cancel all automatic payments and subscriptions before closing and update your payment method with each company. If a payment does bounce, contact the merchant to explain the account closure and ask them to waive the fee.
How long does it take to close a TD Bank account?
Same-day if you close in person at a branch. One to three business days if you close by phone. Five to ten business days if you close by mail. The timeline depends on mail delivery and processing time, not on how busy the bank is.
Do I need to visit a branch in person to close my account?
No. You can close by phone at 1-800-937-8372 or by mail. In-person closure is fastest if you want same-day confirmation, but phone and mail are equally valid and do not require a branch visit.
What should I do with checks linked to my old TD Bank account?
Stop using them when ready. Any checks you write after the account closes will bounce. Destroy unused checks or contact TD Bank to request they be cancelled. If you have automatic bill payments set up through check routing, update those to your new account before closing.