Choosing a bank is an important and personal decision. There are many things to keep in mind when you find the right bank for you. How secure are your funds? Are there hidden fees or fees for basic services? How many branches are nearby? We all have different needs, and finding the right bank to fit them is important.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- How to Close a Deceased Loved One’s Chase Account
- How to Close Your Own Chase Account
- Closing a Chase Account: Frequently Asked Questions
Over time though you may find that a new bank fits your lifestyle better. In that case, it’s important to know the best way to close your old account. Today, we discuss how to close your account at a Chase bank. We’ll also break down how to close a Chase account on behalf of a loved one who has passed away.
Tip: The other aspects of handling a loved one's unfinished business can be overwhelming without a way to organize your process. We have a post-loss checklist that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.
How to Close a Deceased Loved One’s Chase Account
When a loved one dies, you may be appointed to be the executor of the estate. Executor duties include closing accounts, settling debts, and ensuring that assets are properly distributed. Chase provides a lot of transparency for executors and next-of-kin on their website, but we’ll also give you some additional guidance here:
Step 1: Get letters of testamentary
When people create a will, they usually designate an executor to manage the disposition of their estate. If you’ve been named executor, you need to prove that to banks and other entities. Contact your local probate court to find out what steps you need to take in your jurisdiction to file the will. Once you have done that, the judge will issue you a letter of testamentary.
A letter of testamentary is a legal document that demonstrates you’ve been legally empowered to serve as executor. This allows you to do things such as cancel gym memberships, cancel credit cards after a death, and close bank accounts. Be sure to request several certified copies of the letter of testamentary, as you’ll need to provide copies to multiple entities.
Step 2: Get certified copies of the death certificate
Just about every financial institution will need a certified copy of the death certificate.
If a funeral home was involved in the burial of the deceased, you can contact the funeral director for copies of the certificate. If not, you can contact the vital records office for certified copies.
Step 3: Gather up necessary personal information about the deceased
If you’ve been appointed as an executor, it may be tricky to figure out what accounts the deceased had and where. In an ideal world, you’ll have access to a password manager that contains the login information for all important accounts. If you don’t have that information though, Chase can still help you close the deceased’s accounts.
At a minimum, you’ll need to provide the following information:
- The social security number of the deceased
- The date of their death
- The certified letter of testamentary that proves your status as executor
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Information on where money should be disbursed upon closure of the accounts
Step 4: Contact Chase to close accounts
There are two ways to contact Chase to begin the account closure process. You can call their customer service number at 1-866-926-6909 from Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
The second is to go to a local Chase bank branch. You can call the branch ahead of time to make an appointment and make your trip as efficient as possible.
How to Close Your Own Chase Account
Chase is more transparent than most other banks about how to close an account on behalf of someone who has died. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they also make it easier than other banks when it comes to closing your own account. Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Set up a new bank account
Before closing your old account, it’s important to open a new one. It’s common for people to set up bills to be automatically paid from their account.
It can take several days for the switchover to fully take place depending on the systems each company has in place. Switching auto drafts and direct deposits to a new account first ensures that a bill won’t accidentally get missed during the transition.
Step 2: Contact Chase to cancel your account
Chase makes it relatively simple to close a personal account. They offer four different paths to account closure. That gives people a lot of flexibility and allows them to select the option that works best for them. We’ll detail those steps and what information you might need below:
In-person: Visiting a local Chase bank branch is the most efficient way to close your account. You can make an appointment, but it’s not necessary as walk-ins are also available. Be sure to bring a photo ID with you to verify your identity.
Online: This is the most convenient option. Visit the Chase website and log into your online banking account. Once you’re logged in, you can navigate to the Secure Message Center. Send a message requesting for your account to be closed. A representative will respond to this message to confirm your closure request. This is an extra layer of accountability to make sure the closure is authorized. Once your confirmation is sent, the account will be closed.
Over the phone: If you would rather speak to a person, you can also close your account over the phone. Call 1-800-935-9935 to speak to a representative. This line is open 24 hours a day, so it’s very convenient. You will need to confirm your identity by providing information like your date of birth and the last four digits of your social security number.
By mail: Chase also offers customers the option of canceling by mail. There’s an account closure form on their website that you can print and fill out. The information you’ll be asked for includes:
- Your name
- Your account number
- Your phone number
- An address where your final check can be sent upon account closure
This option is the least convenient and the slowest, but it is available for people who have the need for it.
Closing a Chase Account: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions about the account closure process? We’ve found the answers to some frequently asked questions that people have:
Does Chase charge a fee to close an account?
Chase typically doesn’t charge a fee to close an account. The only exception is if you cancel your account within 90 days of opening it. In that case, there is a $25 fee to offset the costs they incurred in establishing the account.
How long does it take to close a Chase account?
Chase is one of the faster banks to process an account closure. If you close your account in person at a branch, you’ll be able to leave immediately with the remaining funds from your account.
For all other methods, a final check is typically put into the mail within two to three days.
Closing a Chase Bank Account
Many banks make it difficult to close an account. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In many cases, the hoops you have to jump through are to ensure that you’re authorized to take action. But many banks make it hard to find the information you need to close your account.
Chase has streamlined the process to make it more transparent, which can be helpful when dealing with the closure of many accounts as an executor.
Sources
- “Frequently Asked Questions.” Chase.com, Chase, 2021, www.chase.com/personal/personal-banking-contact-faqs.
- “Letter of Testamentary.” Legalforms.org, LegalForms.org, 16 July 2015, legalforms.org/letter-of-testamentary/.