The basic process: what you need to do before you leave
Closing a checking account takes a phone call or a visit to your bank, but the real work happens before that. You need to move any money out, stop automatic payments and deposits from hitting the account, and wait for any pending checks to clear. Most banks will close the account the same day you ask, but some take a few business days. The order matters: move your money first, then tell the bank to close it, or you risk bounced checks and overdraft fees.
You do not need a reason to close an account, and the bank cannot force you to keep it open. If you have a negative balance—money you owe the bank—they will usually deduct it from another account you have with them, or they may send it to collections. Some banks charge a fee if you close within a certain window (often 90 days to six months of opening), but most do not.
Key Takeaways
- Move all your money out of the account before you ask the bank to close it, or set up a transfer to another account you control.
- Stop or redirect automatic payments and direct deposits at least a week before closing, because the bank cannot stop transactions that are already scheduled.
- Wait for any checks you have written to clear, which can take up to two weeks depending on who you wrote them to.
- Call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch in person to request the closure, and ask for written confirmation.
- If the account has a negative balance, the bank will collect it from another account or report it to a collection agency.
Step 1: Empty the account and redirect your income
Transfer all remaining money to another account—either another bank account you own, or a new account at a different bank if you are switching entirely. You can do this online through your bank's website, by visiting a branch, or by calling customer service. If the balance is small, you can also withdraw it in cash, though this is slower if you need the money elsewhere.
At the same time, change where your paycheck and any other regular deposits go. Log into your employer's payroll system or contact your HR department and update your direct deposit information. If you receive benefits, Social Security, or other government payments, change those routing details through the agency's website or by calling them. This usually takes one to two business days to take effect, so do it at least a week before you close the account.
Step 2: Stop or move automatic payments
Go through your bank statements from the past three months and list every automatic payment—utilities, subscriptions, insurance, loan payments, anything that comes out regularly. For each one, you have two choices: cancel it entirely, or change the payment method to a different account or credit card.
Contact each company directly to update their payment information. Do not rely on the bank to stop the payment; the bank can block a single transaction if you ask quickly, but it cannot stop a recurring payment that is already scheduled. If you miss this step and a payment tries to go through after you close the account, it will bounce and you may face overdraft fees or late fees from the company. Make these changes at least a week before closing.
Step 3: Wait for checks to clear
If you have written any checks recently, wait until they clear before closing the account. A check can take anywhere from three to fourteen business days to clear, depending on the bank it is being deposited into. You can check the status of a check by logging into your online banking or calling the bank, but the safest approach is to wait two weeks after writing the last check.
If you close the account and a check comes in after that, the bank will return it unpaid and the person who received it will be notified. You will likely face a returned check fee, and the person you owed money to may charge you a fee as well. If you are unsure whether a check has cleared, call the bank and ask them to hold the account open for another week or two.
Step 4: Contact the bank and request closure
Call your bank's customer service number (on the back of your debit card or on their website) or visit a branch in person. Tell them you want to close the account and provide your account number. They will ask you why you are closing it—this is optional to answer, but some banks use the feedback. They will also confirm that the account balance is zero and that there are no pending transactions.
If there is a negative balance, ask the bank what will happen. Most will deduct it from another account you have with them. If you do not have another account, they may send the debt to a collection agency. Ask the bank to send you written confirmation of the closure, either by email or mail. Keep this confirmation in case there are questions later.
Step 5: Confirm closure and watch for stray charges
After you close the account, monitor your other bank accounts for the next month to make sure no charges are still hitting the closed account. Sometimes a payment will slip through if it was scheduled before you redirected it. If you see a charge, contact the company that charged you and ask them to refund it, then contact the bank to report it.
If the bank sent you a confirmation letter, keep it. If you ever need to prove the account is closed—for example, if a debt collector tries to collect on it—you will have documentation. Some banks also allow you to read a closure confirmation from their website.
What happens if you close an account with a negative balance
A negative balance means you owe the bank money. This can happen if you overdraw the account or if fees pile up. When you close the account, the bank will try to collect what you owe. If you have another account at the same bank, they will usually transfer the debt from the closed account to the other one and deduct it from your balance there. If you do not have another account, the bank may send the debt to a third-party collection agency.
Owing the bank money does not prevent you from closing the account—you can close it even with a negative balance. But you still have to pay what you owe. If you do not, it will appear on your credit report and the bank or collector can sue you. If you are closing because of financial hardship, contact the bank before closing and ask if they will waive the fees or set up a payment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account online?
Some banks allow you to close an account through their website or mobile app, but most require a phone call or in-person visit. Check your bank's website to see if online closure is an option. If not, call the number on the back of your debit card.
How long does it take to close a checking account?
The bank can close the account the same day you request it, but it may take a few business days for the closure to fully process. Make sure all your money is out and all pending transactions have cleared before you close, or you risk bounced checks and fees.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking account does not directly affect your credit score because checking accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if the account has a negative balance that goes to collections, that will hurt your score.
What if I forgot to redirect a payment before closing?
If a payment tries to go through after you close the account, it will bounce. Contact the company that charged you and ask them to resubmit the payment to your new account. You may be able to get late fees waived if you explain that you recently closed the account.
Do I need to close the account in person, or can I do it by phone?
Most banks allow you to close by phone, but some require an in-person visit. Call your bank first and ask. If you do close by phone, request written confirmation by email or mail so you have proof of closure.