What you need to bring and who can open one

Chase lets you open a joint account with another person at any branch, online, or by phone. Both account holders must be present (in person or by phone) to sign the account agreement, and both must provide government-issued ID and a Social Security number. Chase will run a background check on both of you through ChexSystems, which looks at your banking history—not your credit score.

You can open a joint account with a spouse, family member, business partner, or anyone else. There is no legal requirement that you be related. Both people on the account have equal rights to all the money in it, can make withdrawals or transfers, and can close the account without the other person's permission.

Chase offers several account types as joint accounts: Chase Total Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, and Chase Savings. The features and monthly fees vary by account type. You can review the current terms and fees on Chase's website or ask at a branch.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account holders must provide government ID and a Social Security number, and both must sign the account agreement either in person or over the phone.
  • Chase runs a ChexSystems check on both people, which reviews banking history but not credit score.
  • Each person on a joint account has full access to all funds and can withdraw, transfer, or close the account without permission from the other person.
  • You can open a joint account online, at a branch, or by phone, and you can choose from several account types depending on your needs.
  • Some account types charge a monthly fee unless you meet a minimum balance or set up direct deposit.

Opening a joint account online

Chase's website lets you start a joint account application without visiting a branch. Go to Chase.com, select "Open an Account," and choose the account type you want. You will enter personal information for both account holders: name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, and employment status.

During the online process, Chase will ask security questions to verify your identity. You will also need to accept the account agreement and deposit terms. At the end, you will see an option to complete the account opening by phone or in person within a certain timeframe—Chase does not finalize joint accounts entirely online. One or both account holders will need to speak with a Chase representative to confirm identity and sign final documents.

If you start online and finish by phone, a Chase representative will call you at the number you provide. If you finish in person, you can visit any Chase branch with your ID. The account typically opens within one business day after the final step is complete.

Opening a joint account in person at a branch

Both account holders can walk into any Chase branch together with government-issued ID and Social Security numbers. Tell a banker you want to open a joint account and which account type interests you. The banker will explain the features, fees, and monthly maintenance requirements for each option.

You will fill out an account application together, and both of you will sign it. The banker will run the ChexSystems check and verify your identities. If there are no issues, the account opens on the spot, and you will receive debit cards and temporary checks. Permanent checks arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Opening in person is the fastest route if both people are available. You walk out with an active account and can start using it immediately.

Opening a joint account by phone

Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to open a joint account over the phone. A representative will walk both account holders through the application. You will need to provide the same information as you would in person or online: names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security numbers, and employment details.

The representative will verify your identities by asking security questions and may request that you read back information to confirm. Both account holders must be on the call to authorize the account. After the application is complete, Chase will mail you debit cards and checks.

Phone opening takes longer than in-person because you cannot receive cards or checks immediately, but it works if you cannot visit a branch or prefer not to apply online.

What happens after the account opens

Once the account is active, both people can use the debit card, write checks, transfer money, and set up bill pay. Deposits made by either person go into the shared balance. Withdrawals by either person reduce the shared balance. There is no separate tracking of who deposited or withdrew what.

If one person wants to remove the other from the account later, that person can visit a branch or call Chase to request a change. The other account holder does not have to agree—either person can remove the other unilaterally. If you remove someone, Chase will close the joint account and open a new individual account in your name, and the remaining balance will move to that new account.

Both account holders receive statements and can set up online banking access. You can choose whether statements go to one address or both. Online banking lets either person view the full transaction history, set up alerts, and manage the account.

Fees and minimum balance requirements

Chase checking accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee unless you meet one of these conditions: maintain a minimum daily balance (usually $500 to $1,500 depending on the account type), set up direct deposit, or maintain a linked savings account with a certain balance. Some accounts waive the fee if you are a student or a senior.

Savings accounts typically charge no monthly fee but pay interest on your balance. The interest rate varies and is set by Chase. You can check the current rate on Chase's website.

Overdraft fees apply if either person withdraws more than the account balance. Chase charges a fee per overdraft transaction. You can set up overdraft protection by linking a savings account or credit card, which transfers money automatically if the checking account goes negative.

What to do if one account holder wants out

If you and the other account holder disagree about the account or want to separate your finances, either person can remove the other or close the account. Visit a Chase branch or call 1-800-935-9935 to request the change. You will need to provide ID and the account number.

If you remove the other person, the account closes and a new individual account opens in your name with the remaining balance. If the other person removes you, the same thing happens—you lose access, and they keep the account. There is no waiting period or requirement to notify the other person.

If you want to keep the account but separate it into two individual accounts, you can withdraw your share of the money and open a new account in your name alone. Because both people have equal rights to all funds, there is no legal "your share"—you can only withdraw what you can physically access before the other person does. If this is a concern, talk to the other account holder first or consult a lawyer about how to divide the money fairly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a joint account if the other person is not in the country?

Chase requires both account holders to verify their identity, which typically means being present in person or on a phone call. If the other person is outside the United States, call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to ask whether they can complete the application by phone with an international number. Some branches may have different rules, so asking first saves time.

What if Chase denies the account because of ChexSystems?

ChexSystems checks your banking history for unpaid fees, fraud, or other issues. If Chase denies the account, ask why. You can request a copy of your ChexSystems report and dispute inaccuracies. Some banks offer second-chance checking accounts if you have a ChexSystems issue, though Chase's policies vary by location.

Do both people need to be present to close the account?

No. Either account holder can close a joint account without the other person's permission. Visit a branch with ID or call Chase to request closure. The remaining balance will be sent to the person who requested the closure, so the other person will lose access to the money.

Can I have a joint account with someone who does not have a Social Security number?

Chase requires a Social Security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) for all account holders. If the other person has an ITIN, they can use that instead. Call Chase to confirm whether they accept ITINs for joint accounts.

What if one person on the account dies?

Chase will freeze the account when notified of a death. The surviving account holder can contact Chase with a death certificate to regain access. The account does not automatically transfer to the survivor—Chase treats it as part of the deceased person's estate. The surviving account holder may need to work with an executor or attorney to resolve the account.