You can add another person to your Chase savings account through the Chase mobile app, online banking, or by visiting a branch in person
The person you add becomes an authorized user or joint owner with full access to the account. Chase calls this person an "authorized signer" or "joint account holder," depending on how you set it up. The difference matters: an authorized signer can withdraw money and manage the account, but the original account holder keeps legal ownership. A joint owner has equal legal rights to the account and its funds.
The fastest route is the Chase mobile app or online banking if you want to add an authorized signer. If you want to create a true joint account, you will need to visit a branch or call Chase directly, because that change requires new account documentation and both people present or verified.
Key Takeaways
- Adding an authorized signer through the app or online takes minutes, but making someone a joint owner requires a branch visit or phone call with both account holders verified.
- An authorized signer can access and withdraw from the account, but you remain the legal owner; a joint owner has equal rights to the money and the account.
- Chase will need the other person's Social Security number, date of birth, and address before adding them to any account.
- The person you add will receive notification from Chase and can set up their own login to access the account immediately after approval.
- You can remove an authorized signer or joint owner at any time through the app, online, or by calling Chase.
Adding an authorized signer through the Chase app or website
Open the Chase mobile app or log into Chase.com. Go to your savings account, then look for a menu option labeled "Account Settings," "Manage Account," or "Add Authorized User"—the exact wording varies by app version. Select the option to add a person to the account.
Chase will ask for the person's full name, Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address. Have this information ready before you start. The person does not need to be present, but they will need to verify their identity with Chase after you submit the request. Chase typically sends them a notification by email or text, and they may need to answer security questions or provide additional information to confirm who they are.
Once Chase confirms their identity, the person becomes an authorized signer. They can then set up their own login credentials and access the account through the app or website. This process usually takes one to three business days.
Converting to a joint account at a Chase branch
If you want the other person to be a legal joint owner rather than just an authorized signer, you will need to visit a Chase branch together or call Chase and have both of you on the phone for verification. A joint owner has the same legal claim to the account as you do, which means they can close the account, change account settings, or withdraw all the money without your permission.
Bring a government-issued photo ID for both people. Chase will close your current savings account and open a new joint account in both names. This protects both of you legally and ensures the account is set up correctly from the start. The process takes about 30 minutes at a branch.
If you cannot both visit a branch, call Chase at the number on the back of your debit card. A representative can walk you through the process over the phone, but both account holders must be on the call and ready to answer security questions to verify identity.
What happens to the account after someone is added
Once a person is added as an authorized signer or joint owner, they have immediate access to the account balance, transaction history, and the ability to make deposits and withdrawals. If the account has a debit card, Chase can issue a card in their name, or they can use the existing card if you give it to them.
Both of you will receive statements and notifications about account activity. If the account earns interest, both names appear on the interest documentation. For tax purposes, Chase reports the account to the IRS under both Social Security numbers if it is a joint account; for an authorized signer, the account remains reported under the original owner's name.
Removing someone from the account
You can remove an authorized signer through the Chase app or website by going to Account Settings and selecting the option to remove a user. The change takes effect immediately, and the person loses access to the account right away.
Removing a joint owner is more complicated because both people have equal legal rights. You cannot unilaterally remove a joint owner; instead, you will need to visit a branch or call Chase to close the joint account and open a new account in your name alone. Chase will then divide any funds according to what you and the joint owner agree on, or they may require a court order if you cannot agree.
What you need before you start
Have the other person's information ready: full legal name, Social Security number, date of birth, and current mailing address. If you are adding someone who does not have a Social Security number, Chase may ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, though policies vary by branch.
If the person you are adding does not already have a Chase account, they will need to create one after being added as an authorized signer. This takes a few minutes and requires them to set up a username and password. They can do this through the Chase app or website using the notification Chase sends them.
Adding a minor to a savings account
Chase offers a product called Chase First Banking for customers under 18. If you want to add a minor to your existing savings account, Chase will treat them as an authorized signer, not a joint owner. The minor can access the account and make transactions, but you remain the legal owner and are responsible for the account.
If you want to open a dedicated account for a minor with parental controls, Chase First Banking is a separate product designed for that purpose. You can open one at a branch or through the app if you are already a Chase customer. The minor's parent or guardian is the account owner, and the minor can use a debit card with spending limits set by the parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone to my Chase savings account without them knowing?
No. Chase sends the person a notification and requires them to verify their identity before they gain access. You cannot add someone without their knowledge or consent, and if you try, Chase's fraud detection may flag the request.
What is the difference between an authorized signer and a joint owner?
An authorized signer can access and use the account, but you remain the legal owner. A joint owner has equal legal rights to the account and can make decisions about it without your permission. Joint ownership is permanent unless both people agree to change it or a court orders otherwise.
Does adding someone to my account affect their credit?
No. Adding an authorized signer or joint owner to a savings account does not appear on a credit report or affect credit score. Savings accounts are not credit products, so they do not generate credit history.
Can I add someone who does not have a Chase account?
Yes. They do not need an existing Chase account to be added. After you submit their information, they will receive a notification from Chase and can create a login at that time. They will have access to the savings account immediately after their identity is verified.
What if I want to remove a joint owner but they refuse?
You cannot remove a joint owner unilaterally because they have equal legal rights. You will need to close the joint account and open a new one in your name alone. If you cannot agree on how to split the money, you may need to contact a lawyer or ask a court to intervene.