The basic steps to close your account
To close a checking account, you contact your bank, move or withdraw your money, and confirm the account is closed. The process usually takes a few days to two weeks, depending on whether you do it in person, by phone, or online. Most banks will not charge you to close an account, though some may hold funds briefly if checks are still clearing.
The order matters: move your money first, then request the closure. If you close the account while funds are still in it, the bank will either return the money to you by check or hold it until you provide a forwarding address. Either way, you lose the convenience of having it where you need it.
Start by gathering what you need: your account number (on any check or statement), your Social Security number or tax ID, and a list of any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to the account. If you have checks outstanding, you need to know roughly how many and for what amounts, so the bank can tell you when it is safe to close.
Key Takeaways
- Move your money to another account or withdraw it in cash before you ask the bank to close the account, so nothing gets stuck in limbo.
- Tell the bank about any outstanding checks or pending automatic payments, because the account must stay open long enough for those to clear.
- Update your direct deposits and automatic bill payments to point to a new account before closure, or those transactions will fail.
- Request closure in writing or in person when possible, so you have a record of the date and confirmation that the bank received your request.
- Check your credit report a few weeks later to make sure the account shows as closed, not as a delinquent account.
Moving money out of the account
Before you contact the bank about closing, move your balance to another account or withdraw it. You can transfer money to another bank account you own (at the same bank or a different one), or you can withdraw cash. Online transfers usually take one to three business days; in-person withdrawal is when ready.
If you have a small balance and want to close quickly, withdrawal is simpler. If the balance is large or you want it in a bank account, set up a transfer first. Most banks let you initiate transfers online or by phone without visiting a branch. If you are transferring to another bank, you will need the routing number and account number of the receiving account.
Do not assume the account is empty when you request closure. Some banks charge monthly fees that post after your last transaction, or hold small amounts for pending transactions you forgot about. Ask the bank for your current balance the day you plan to close, and move that exact amount.
Stopping automatic payments and direct deposits
Any paycheck, government benefit, or automatic payment tied to this account will fail once it closes. You need to change these before you request closure, not after.
For direct deposits (paychecks, Social Security, tax refunds), contact your employer or the agency sending the money and provide your new account number. This usually takes one pay cycle to take effect. For automatic bill payments, log into each biller's website or call them directly to update your account information. Credit card companies, utilities, insurance companies, and loan servicers all need the new details.
If you miss updating something, the payment will bounce and you may face late fees or service interruptions. The bank will not forward these payments to your new account automatically. Check your records for the past three months of statements to find every automatic transaction, then update each one.
Requesting closure from your bank
Contact your bank through the method that gives you the best record: in person at a branch, by phone, or in writing. Online chat or email is acceptable if the bank offers it, but phone or in-person is clearer because you can confirm the date and get a reference number.
Tell the bank you want to close the account and provide your account number. Mention any outstanding checks you know about — for example, "I wrote three checks last week that have not cleared yet." The bank will tell you how long to wait before closure is safe, usually five to ten business days. Some banks will close the account when ready and hold it open in the background until checks clear; others will not formally close it until that period passes.
Ask for written confirmation of the closure request, including the date and a reference number. If you are closing in person, ask the teller to print or email a confirmation. If you are closing by phone, ask the representative to send a confirmation email or letter. This protects you if the bank later claims it never received the request.
What happens to your remaining balance
If any money is still in the account when it closes, the bank will return it to you. The method depends on the bank's policy and how much money is left. Small amounts (under $100 or $200, depending on the bank) are usually mailed as a check to the address on file. Larger amounts may be transferred to another account you own at the same bank, or you may be asked to pick it up in person.
The check can take one to three weeks to arrive. If you do not receive it within that time, contact the bank with your closure confirmation number and ask them to trace it. Keep the confirmation of closure until you receive the final check and confirm the amount is correct.
If the account has a negative balance (you owe the bank money), the bank will not close it until you pay what you owe. This can happen if fees post after you think the account is empty, or if a check bounces after you have already withdrawn the funds.
Checking that the account is actually closed
Two to four weeks after closure, log into your online banking or call the bank to confirm the account no longer appears in your account list. Some banks show closed accounts for a few months before removing them entirely; others remove them when ready. Either way, the account should show a status of "closed" rather than "active."
Check your credit report through Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion (you can request a free report at annualcreditreport.com). The closed account should appear on your report with a status of "closed by consumer" or "closed at consumer's request." If it shows as "charged off" or "delinquent," contact the bank when ready with your closure confirmation to correct the record. A wrongly reported closed account can damage your credit score.
Keep your closure confirmation and any final statements for at least one year. If a payment bounces or a company claims you still owe money on the account, you will need proof that the account was closed on a specific date.
Closing an account with a negative balance or outstanding issues
If you owe the bank money — because of overdraft fees, bounced checks, or other charges — the bank will not close the account until you pay. You can pay the balance and then request closure, or you can request closure and let the bank deduct the owed amount from any remaining funds.
If the account is overdrawn and you have no funds to cover it, the bank may send the debt to a collection agency. This will appear on your credit report and can affect your ability to open accounts at other banks. Some banks will negotiate a settlement if you contact them before the debt is sold; others will not. Ask the bank what options exist before you ignore the balance.
If you are closing the account because of a dispute with the bank — unauthorized charges, errors, or poor service — document everything before you close. Take screenshots of your statements, save emails, and write down dates and names of anyone you spoke to. Once the account is closed, retrieving old records becomes harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account if I still have checks outstanding?
Yes, but the account must stay open until those checks clear, usually five to ten business days. Tell the bank how many checks you wrote and roughly when. The bank will hold the account open in the background even if it marks it as "closed" in your online view. Once the checks clear, the account fully closes.
What if the bank refuses to close my account?
Banks rarely refuse, but they may delay if you owe money or if checks are still clearing. If the bank claims it cannot close the account for another reason, ask to speak to a supervisor and request the reason in writing. If you believe the bank is acting unfairly, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state banking regulator.
Do I need to close the account in person, or can I do it by phone?
Phone or online closure is usually fine, but in-person closure gives you an when ready receipt and a chance to ask questions face-to-face. If you are closing by phone or online, request written confirmation by email or mail. Do not rely on a verbal confirmation alone.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking account itself does not affect your credit score, because checking accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if the account shows as delinquent or charged-off when it closes, that will hurt your score. Make sure the bank reports it as "closed by consumer" rather than "delinquent."
How long does it take for the account to fully close?
The process usually takes two to four weeks from the date you request closure. This includes time for outstanding checks to clear, any pending transactions to post, and the bank to process your request. Some banks close accounts faster if there are no outstanding items; others take the full period as a standard practice.