What to bring and what to do before you call the bank
You need your account number, a government-issued ID, and proof that you own the account — usually the debit card or a recent statement. If someone else is on the account with you, both of you typically need to be present or give written permission. Before you contact the bank, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to that account are moved to a different bank or stopped entirely, because the bank will not do this for you.
The exact documents vary slightly by bank and account type. A checking account needs less than a business account. Some banks let you close over the phone; others require you to visit a branch in person. Call your bank's customer service number — the one on the back of your debit card — and ask what they need from you specifically, because it takes five minutes and saves a trip.
Key Takeaways
- Have your account number and government ID ready before you contact the bank, because you will need to verify your identity.
- Stop or redirect any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring charges before closing, or they will fail and may trigger overdraft fees.
- If the account has a remaining balance, the bank will send you a check or transfer the money to another account you provide.
- Some banks charge a fee to close an account early if you opened it recently; ask about this before you proceed.
- Request written confirmation of the closure, because you may need proof that the account is closed for tax or legal reasons.
Stopping payments and deposits before closure
Any money still flowing into or out of the account after you close it will cause problems. Direct deposits from your employer will bounce back to your employer, which can delay your paycheck. Automatic bill payments will fail, which may trigger late fees from the company you owe money to. Subscription services will show a failed payment and may suspend your service.
Log into your online banking and look for a section called "Transfers," "Bill Pay," or "Recurring Payments." Write down every automatic payment you see — utilities, insurance, streaming services, loan payments, anything. Contact each company and give them a new bank account number, or cancel the service if you do not need it. For direct deposit, contact your employer's payroll department and submit a new direct deposit form with your new bank account details. Do this at least one week before you close the account.
What happens to money still in the account
If you have a balance when you close, the bank will not keep it. They will either mail you a check within five to ten business days, or transfer the money to another account you specify. You can choose which method when you close the account. If you have a negative balance — meaning you owe the bank money — you must pay that amount before closing. The bank will not close the account until the debt is settled.
Some banks hold the check for a few days before mailing it, so the money may not reach you for two weeks. If you are closing because you are moving to a new bank, give the new bank's routing number and your new account number to the closing bank, and they can transfer the balance electronically instead. This is faster and safer than waiting for a check.
Early closure fees and account age requirements
Many banks charge a fee if you close an account within a certain period — often 90 days to six months after opening. This fee is usually between $25 and $100. Some banks waive it if you ask, especially if you have had a good account history. Others do not charge at all. Call and ask whether your bank charges an early closure fee and what the amount is, because this will be deducted from your remaining balance or charged separately.
A few banks require you to keep the account open for a minimum time before closing without penalty. If you are closing because of a problem with the bank — a mistake on their part, unexpected fees, poor service — mention this when you call. Some banks will waive the fee as a courtesy, though they are not required to.
Closing in person versus by phone or online
Most banks let you close an account by phone, but some require you to visit a branch. If the account is in two names, the bank may require both account holders to be present in person, or one person can close it with written permission from the other. Written permission usually means a notarized letter or a form the bank provides. Call ahead and ask what your bank requires, because showing up without the right documents wastes a trip.
If you close by phone, the bank will verify your identity by asking security questions or requesting your Social Security number and date of birth. They will confirm your mailing address for the check, or take the new account number if you want an electronic transfer. The whole call takes about ten minutes. If you close online, some banks offer this through their app or website, though fewer banks support it than support phone closure.
Getting proof the account is closed
Ask the bank to email or mail you written confirmation that the account is closed. This is not required, but it is useful if you need to prove the account no longer exists — for example, if a creditor tries to collect from a closed account, or if you are explore for credit and need to show which accounts you have. The confirmation should include the account number, the closure date, and the final balance.
Some banks provide this automatically; others only give it if you ask. If you close by phone, ask the representative to send it to your email address. If you close in person, ask for a printed receipt. Keep this document for at least a year, in case a question comes up later about the account.
What to do if the bank will not close the account
A bank can refuse to close an account if you owe them money, if there is an active dispute or fraud investigation, or if the account is frozen by a court order. If the bank refuses and you believe they are wrong, ask to speak to a manager or the account resolution department. Ask them to explain in writing why they will not close it and what you need to do to resolve the issue.
If you have a dispute with the bank that they will not resolve, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state's banking regulator. This does not force the bank to close the account when ready, but it creates a record and may push them to resolve the problem faster. The CFPB has a complaint form on their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account if I still owe the bank money?
No. You must pay any negative balance or outstanding fees before the bank will close the account. If you dispute a charge, the bank may freeze the account while they investigate, and you cannot close it until the dispute is resolved.
What if I close my account and then a check I wrote bounces?
Checks written against a closed account will bounce, and the person or company you wrote the check to may charge you a returned check fee. This is why you should stop all payments before closing. If you have written checks that have not cleared yet, wait until they do before closing the account.
Do I need to close my old account before opening a new one?
No. You can open a new account at any time. However, keep the old account open long enough for any pending transactions to clear, then close it. Closing too early can cause automatic payments to fail and damage your credit if bills go unpaid.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a bank account does not directly affect your credit score, because banks do not report checking or savings accounts to credit bureaus. However, if closing the account causes a bill payment to fail, that missed payment can hurt your credit if the creditor reports it.
How long does it take to close an account?
The closure itself takes minutes — either a phone call or an in-person visit. The bank may take five to ten business days to process the closure and mail a check if you have a remaining balance. Electronic transfers to another account are usually faster, sometimes same-day.