Close the account together, or one person closes it unilaterally
You can close a joint checking account in two ways: both account holders agree and close it together, or one account holder closes it alone. The bank will let either happen. If you close it alone, the other person loses access immediately, but they may still be liable for any overdrafts or fees that post after closure. The safer route is to close it together so both of you know the account is gone and can move any remaining money beforehand.
Before you close, you need to know the account balance, whether any pending transactions are still processing, and where the remaining money will go. If the account is overdrawn, you cannot close it until the negative balance is paid. If you and the other account holder disagree about closing, one person can still do it, but that person should be prepared for the other to dispute where the final balance went or to claim they did not authorize the closure.
Key Takeaways
- Either account holder can close a joint checking account without the other person's permission, but both should agree beforehand to avoid disputes over the remaining balance.
- You must pay off any overdraft or negative balance before the bank will close the account.
- Pending transactions can still post after you request closure, so wait a few business days and confirm the account is actually closed before assuming it is gone.
- The bank will send a final statement showing the closing date and the balance transferred or refunded; keep this for your records.
- If you close the account online or by phone, ask for a confirmation number and note the date and time of the request.
Gather the account number and recent statements
Before you contact the bank, have your account number ready. You can find it on a check, a recent statement, or your online banking login. Pull up the most recent statement to see the current balance and to check whether any large transactions are pending. If you see a pending charge that has not cleared yet, that money is still technically in the account and will be deducted when the transaction posts.
If the account is overdrawn—meaning the balance is negative—you cannot close it until you deposit enough money to bring it to zero or positive. Some banks will let you close an account with a small negative balance if you pay it immediately, but most require a zero or positive balance before they will process the closure.
Decide where the remaining balance will go
If there is money left in the account when you close it, the bank needs to know where to send it. You can ask the bank to transfer the balance to another account at the same bank, or to mail you a check. If you and the other account holder are closing together, you should decide in advance how to split the money or whether one person will keep it all. If you are closing alone, the bank may require both account holders to sign off on where the balance goes, depending on the bank's policy.
Some banks will hold the final balance for a set period if no forwarding account is provided. After that period—often 30 to 90 days—they may send it to the state as unclaimed property. If that happens, you can still recover it, but you will have to file a claim with your state's unclaimed property program, which takes longer than a direct transfer.
Contact the bank to request closure
Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card, or log into your online banking and look for an account closure option. Some banks let you close an account online; others require a phone call. If you call, have your account number and ID ready. Tell the representative you want to close the joint checking account and provide the account number.
The representative will confirm the current balance, ask where you want the money sent, and may ask why you are closing the account. They will give you a confirmation number and a closing date. Write down the confirmation number, the date and time of your call, and the representative's name. Ask the representative to email or mail you a written confirmation of the closure request.
Wait for pending transactions to clear
Even after you request closure, transactions that were already in the pipeline can still post to the account for a few business days. Checks you wrote before closure may clear days or weeks later. Automatic bill payments scheduled before the closure date may still go through. The bank will not close the account until all pending activity has settled.
Do not assume the account is closed just because you requested it. Log into your online banking a few days later and check whether the account still appears. If it does, call the bank again and ask for an update. Once the account is truly closed, it will no longer show up in your account list, and you will not be able to log in to view it.
Handle the final balance and get written confirmation
If the bank transferred the balance to another account, check that account within a few business days to confirm the money arrived. If the bank mailed a check, it should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If you do not receive it, call the bank with your confirmation number and ask them to trace it or issue a replacement.
Keep the final statement the bank sends you, which will show the closing date and the balance that was transferred or refunded. This is your proof that the account is closed and what happened to the money. If the other account holder later claims they did not authorize the closure or disputes where the balance went, you will have this statement as documentation.
Tell the other account holder if you closed it alone
If you closed the account without the other person's knowledge, contact them as soon as the closure is complete. Tell them the account is closed, when it closed, and where the remaining balance was sent. If they had automatic payments or direct deposits set up on that account, they need to know immediately so they can update those arrangements with their employer or creditors.
If the other account holder disputes the closure or claims they did not authorize it, the bank may reopen the account if both of you request it within a certain window—usually 30 days. After that, the account is permanently closed. If there is a dispute over the final balance, you may need to work it out between yourselves or involve a lawyer, because the bank will not reverse a closure that was requested by one authorized account holder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the other person still use the account after I close it?
No. Once the bank processes the closure, the account is frozen and no one can access it. If the other person tries to use a debit card or write a check, it will be declined. If they have automatic payments set up, those will fail, so they need to update their payment arrangements right away.
What if there is a dispute about who gets the remaining money?
The bank will not decide this for you. If you and the other account holder disagree about how to split the balance, the bank will hold the money or send it to the person who requested the closure, depending on the bank's policy. You may need to resolve the dispute between yourselves or with a lawyer before the bank will release the funds.
Can I close the account if the other person does not want to?
Yes. Either account holder can close a joint account without the other's permission. However, the other person may hold you responsible for any overdrafts or fees that occur after closure, or may dispute where the final balance went. It is safer to close together and document the agreement in writing.
What happens if a check clears after the account is closed?
The bank will still process the check and deduct the money from the account, even if it is closed. If there is no money left, the check will bounce and the account will go negative. You will owe the bank the overdraft amount plus any fees. This is why you should wait a few days after requesting closure to confirm all pending transactions have cleared.
How long does it take for the account to actually close?
The bank usually closes the account within 3 to 5 business days after you request it, but only after all pending transactions have cleared. If you have checks outstanding or automatic payments scheduled, closure may take longer. Ask the bank for a specific closing date when you make the request.