The basic process: what you need to do
To close a bank account, contact your bank directly—by phone, in person at a branch, or through their website—and tell them you want to close the account. The bank will ask you to confirm your identity, check that you have no pending transactions, and direct any remaining balance to you. Most banks complete the closure within one to five business days, though some accounts take longer if there are outstanding checks or automatic payments still processing.
You do not need a reason to close an account, and the bank cannot force you to keep it open. However, you do need to handle a few things first: clear any overdraft balance, stop automatic payments and deposits, and withdraw or transfer any remaining money. If you skip these steps, the bank may hold your funds or charge fees while they try to contact you.
The exact process varies slightly by bank and account type. A checking account closes faster than a savings account with a penalty for early withdrawal. A joint account may require both owners to request closure. Always confirm the closure in writing if you close by phone, so you have proof the account is closed.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your bank by phone, in person, or online and state that you want to close the account; the bank will verify your identity and process the closure.
- Pay off any overdraft balance and stop all automatic payments and deposits before you request closure, or the bank may charge fees or hold your funds.
- Ask the bank what happens to any remaining balance—most will mail a check or transfer it to another account you provide.
- Request written confirmation of the closure so you have proof the account is no longer active.
- If the account is joint, both owners may need to request closure together, depending on the bank's policy.
Stop automatic payments and deposits before you close
Automatic payments and recurring deposits do not stop when you close an account. If you close the account while these are still active, the bank may reject the transactions and charge you a fee, or the payments may bounce and damage your credit. You need to cancel or redirect these before you request closure.
Log into your online banking and look for a section called "Transfers," "Payments," or "Scheduled Transactions." List every automatic payment—utilities, insurance, subscriptions, loan payments—and every recurring deposit, such as paycheck direct deposit. Contact each company or your employer to stop or redirect these to your new account. This usually takes a few days, so do it at least one week before you plan to close the account.
If you have a new account at another bank, update your direct deposit with your employer and your payee information with any companies that pay you. If you do not have a new account yet, open one before you close the old one so you have somewhere to redirect your income.
Clear your balance and handle any overdraft
If your account has a negative balance—money you owe the bank—you must pay it before closure. The bank will not close an account with an overdraft. If you do not pay it, the bank may send the debt to a collection agency or report it to ChexSystems, a banking history database that other banks check when you try to open a new account.
Withdraw or transfer any positive balance to another account. Some banks allow you to request a check for the remaining balance, but this takes longer than a transfer. If you have a small balance—under $25—ask the bank what happens to it; some banks donate very small balances to charity, while others hold them for a set period before closing the account anyway.
If you have a savings account with a penalty for early withdrawal, ask the bank whether closing the account triggers the penalty. Some banks waive the penalty if you close within a certain window; others charge it regardless. Know this cost before you request closure.
Contact the bank and request closure
Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on the bank's website. Have your account number and a form of ID ready. Tell the representative you want to close the account and confirm that all automatic payments have been stopped and your balance is clear.
The representative will verify your identity, confirm the account details, and ask where you want any remaining balance sent. Provide the details of your new bank account if you want a transfer, or request a check if you prefer. Ask the representative for the exact date the account will close and whether there are any fees associated with closure.
If you prefer to close in person, visit a branch with your ID and debit card. Bring a list of any automatic payments you have already stopped, so the representative can confirm they are no longer active. In-person closure is often faster than phone closure because the representative can verify your identity immediately.
Get written confirmation of the closure
After you request closure, ask the bank to send you written confirmation—by email or mail—stating the account number, the closure date, and the final balance. This protects you if the bank makes an error or if a company tries to charge your closed account later and claims they never received notice.
Keep this confirmation for at least one year. If a payment bounces or a company claims the account was still open, you can show this letter as proof of closure. Some banks send confirmation automatically; others only send it if you ask. Do not assume the closure is complete until you have this in writing.
Check your credit report a few weeks after closure to make sure the account is marked as closed by the credit bureaus. You can view your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com. If the account is still showing as open, contact the bank and the credit bureau to correct it.
What happens if you close an account with pending checks
If you have written checks that have not yet cleared, closing the account can cause those checks to bounce. The bank may hold the account open until all checks clear, or it may close the account and return the checks unpaid. Either way, the payee will not receive the money, and you may face a returned-check fee from the bank and a fee from the payee.
Before you close, review your recent check register and contact anyone you have written a check to in the last month. Ask them whether they have deposited the check. If they have not, ask them to do so before you close the account, or write them a new check from your new account. If you cannot reach the payee, wait until you are certain the check has cleared before you request closure.
Some banks allow you to request that they hold the account open for a set period—usually 30 to 90 days—to allow pending checks to clear. If you choose this option, ask the bank whether they will charge a monthly fee during this holding period.
Closing a joint account or account with a co-owner
If the account is joint—meaning two or more people own it—both owners may need to request closure together, depending on the bank's policy. Some banks allow one owner to close a joint account unilaterally; others require both owners to be present or to sign a closure request. Call the bank and ask what their policy is before you attempt to close.
If you and the co-owner disagree about closure, the bank may refuse to close the account until both parties agree or until a court order is provided. If the account has a balance, the bank will not close it until you and the co-owner agree on how to split the money. If you cannot agree, you may need to consult a lawyer or a mediator.
If one owner has died, the surviving owner can usually close the account by providing a death certificate and proof of their identity. The bank will direct the remaining balance according to the account ownership structure and any beneficiary designation on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to close a bank account?
Most banks close an account within one to five business days after you request closure. If you have pending checks or automatic payments still processing, closure may take longer—up to 30 days in some cases. Ask the bank for a specific closure date when you make the request.
Can the bank refuse to close my account?
A bank can refuse to close an account if you have an overdraft balance or if there are pending transactions. Once you pay the overdraft and stop all automatic activity, the bank must close the account. The bank cannot refuse closure simply because you want to leave.
What happens to my debit card when I close the account?
Your debit card will stop working immediately or within a few days of closure. The bank may deactivate it automatically, or you can cut it up yourself. If the card is still active after closure, contact the bank and ask them to deactivate it.
Do I need to close the account in person, or can I do it by phone?
Most banks allow you to close an account by phone or online. In-person closure is faster if you have questions or need to withdraw cash, but it is not required. Confirm the closure in writing regardless of which method you use.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a bank account does not directly affect your credit score because banks do not report account closures to credit bureaus. However, if you close the account while you have an overdraft, the bank may report the debt, which can lower your score. Pay any overdraft before you close.