What you need to bring and who can open an account together

Chase lets you open a joint checking account in person at a 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 photo 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 you trust with shared money. Both of you have equal access to the account and can withdraw, transfer, or close it without the other person's permission. If that level of access concerns you, a joint account may not be the right choice; consider a savings account in one name instead, or ask about Chase's authorized user option for debit cards.

Chase does not require a minimum deposit to open a checking account, though some account types come with monthly fees if you don't maintain a balance or set up direct deposit. The most common option is the Chase Total Checking account, which has a $12 monthly fee that waives if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up a direct deposit of at least $500 per month.

Key Takeaways

  • Both account holders must provide photo 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 of you, which reviews your banking history but not your credit score.
  • Each account holder has full access to the account and can withdraw, transfer, or close it without permission from the other.
  • Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee that you can avoid by maintaining a $500 balance or setting up direct deposit of at least $500 per month.

Opening in person at a Chase branch

Walk into any Chase branch with both account holders present, bring government-issued photo IDs for both people, and bring Social Security cards or numbers. Tell the banker you want to open a joint checking account. The banker will ask for your names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and employment information. You'll choose a debit card design and set up online banking access on the spot.

The banker will explain the account terms, show you the fee structure, and have both of you sign the account agreement. You'll receive temporary debit cards immediately or within a few business days, depending on the branch. The account is usually active the same day, so you can start using it right away if you set up mobile or online banking before you leave.

Opening online through Chase.com

Go to Chase.com and select "Open an Account" under the checking section. You'll enter the primary account holder's information first — name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and employment details. Chase will ask whether you want to add a joint owner and will prompt you to enter that person's information as well.

Both account holders will need to verify their identity online using photo ID and a few security questions. Chase may ask you to take a photo of your ID with your phone or upload a scan. Once both people have verified, you'll review the account agreement, set up online banking, and choose your debit card design. The account typically opens within one to three business days, and debit cards arrive by mail within seven to ten business days.

If Chase cannot verify your identity online, the system will prompt you to complete the process by phone or in person at a branch. This happens occasionally and does not mean anything is wrong — it just means Chase needs to confirm your information another way.

Opening by phone with Chase customer service

Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and tell the representative you want to open a joint checking account. Have both account holders on the call or ready to get on. The representative will ask for the same information as the online or in-person process: names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and employment details for both people.

The representative will verify your identities by asking security questions based on your credit history and banking records. Both of you will need to agree to the account terms and authorize the account opening verbally. You'll choose your debit card design, and the representative will set up online banking access. Debit cards arrive by mail within seven to ten business days, and the account is usually active within one to three business days.

What happens after the account opens

Once your joint account is active, both account holders can log into Chase online banking or the mobile app using their own username and password. You can set up bill pay, transfers between accounts, mobile check deposit, and alerts for low balances or large transactions. Each person can see the full transaction history and account balance.

If one account holder wants to remove the other, that person can call Chase or visit a branch to request the change. The remaining account holder becomes the sole owner. Chase will not notify the other person that they've been removed, so if you're concerned about this, discuss it beforehand or set up account alerts that notify both of you when money moves.

If either account holder passes away, the surviving account holder retains access to the account. The bank will eventually require a death certificate and may freeze the account temporarily while it processes the change. Contact Chase as soon as possible if this happens so you understand what documents you'll need.

Fees and monthly costs

Chase Total Checking, the most common joint checking account, charges $12 per month. You can waive this fee by maintaining a $500 minimum daily balance or by setting up direct deposit of at least $500 per month. If your balance drops below $500 and you don't have direct deposit, the $12 fee posts on the last day of the month.

Overdraft fees are $35 per transaction if you spend more than your balance. Chase offers overdraft protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit line and automatically transfers money to cover overdrafts — this costs $12 per transfer. You can also opt out of overdraft protection entirely, in which case transactions that would overdraw your account are simply declined.

ATM withdrawals at Chase branches and ATMs in the Chase network are free. Withdrawals at out-of-network ATMs cost $3 per transaction, though some Chase accounts include a certain number of free out-of-network withdrawals per month. Check your account terms or ask a banker about this when you open the account.

Removing or changing a joint account holder

Either account holder can remove the other by calling Chase at 1-800-935-9935 or visiting a branch in person. You'll need to provide your ID and confirm your Social Security number. Chase will ask you to confirm that you want to remove the other person — this is a permanent change and cannot be undone through the same call.

Once one person is removed, the account becomes a single-owner account in the name of the remaining holder. Any pending transfers or bill payments continue as scheduled. The removed person loses access to the account immediately and will no longer see it in their online banking or mobile app.

If you want to add a new joint owner to an existing account, call Chase or visit a branch. The new person will need to provide photo ID and a Social Security number, and both the current account holder and the new joint owner must authorize the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a joint account if one person doesn't have a Social Security number?

No. Chase requires a Social Security number for both account holders to run the ChexSystems background check and comply with federal banking regulations. If one person has an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead, contact Chase directly to ask whether they can use that in place of a Social Security number — policies vary by branch.

What if one person has a ChexSystems record or was denied before?

Chase will still open the account if the ChexSystems record is old or minor. A record of unpaid overdrafts, fraud, or repeated NSF (non-sufficient funds) fees may result in denial. If you're denied, ask Chase which specific issue caused the denial, and contact ChexSystems directly to review your report for errors. You can dispute inaccurate information and reapply after corrections are made.

Do both people need to be present in person, or can one person open it alone?

Both people must authorize the account, but they don't both have to be physically present at the same time. You can open online or by phone with both people on separate calls, or one person can go to a branch and the other can complete verification online or by phone. At least one person must be present in person or on a phone call to sign the agreement.

What if we want to close the joint account later?

Either account holder can close the account by calling Chase or visiting a branch. Chase will ask you to confirm your identity and will process the closure within one to three business days. Any remaining balance will be mailed to the address on file as a check, or you can request a transfer to another account. Pending transactions may still post after closure, so monitor your account for a few days.

Can I have different access levels, like one person can only view but not withdraw?

No. A joint account gives both holders equal access — both can withdraw, transfer, and close the account. If you want different access levels, consider adding someone as an authorized user on a debit card instead, though they still won't have online banking access. Contact Chase to discuss whether this option works for your situation.