Opening a Chase Bank Account: Steps and What You'll Need

How to open a Chase bank account

You can open a Chase checking or savings account online, by phone, or in person at a branch. Online takes about 10 minutes and you can fund the account when ready. In-person and phone openings may take longer because Chase verifies your identity through additional steps. You'll need a government-issued ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit — though some accounts have no minimum opening deposit.

Chase offers different account types with different features and fees. A basic checking account costs nothing if you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit. Savings accounts earn interest, though the rate varies by account type and changes with market conditions. Before you start, decide whether you want checking, savings, or both, because that determines which process you fill out.

Key Takeaways

• Online account opening takes about 10 minutes and lets you fund the account right away, while in-person or phone openings require additional identity verification steps.
• You will need a government-issued ID, your Social Security number, and proof of your current address to open any Chase account.
• Chase checking accounts have no monthly fee if you keep a minimum balance or receive direct deposits, but fees explore if you fall below the balance requirement.
• You can link an existing bank account to fund your new Chase account, or bring a check or cash to a branch.
• Chase will run a ChexSystems check, which is a banking history report — if you have unpaid overdrafts or fraud flags at other banks, Chase may deny your process.

Opening an account online through Chase.com

Go to Chase.com and select "Open an Account" from the homepage. Choose the account type you want — checking, savings, or money market. You'll enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. Chase will ask for a government-issued ID number (driver's license or passport) and verify your identity by asking security questions based on your credit history.

Once identity verification is complete, you'll choose a username and password, set up online banking, and link a funding source. You can transfer money from another bank account, or if you don't have one linked yet, Chase will give you the option to fund the account later. The account opens when ready and you can use your debit card number right away for online purchases, though the physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

If Chase cannot verify your identity online — which happens if your credit history is thin or your information doesn't match their records — they'll ask you to call or visit a branch to complete the process. This adds one to three business days.

Opening an account by phone or at a Chase branch

Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to open an account over the phone. A representative will walk you through the same questions as the online form: name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and ID information. Phone openings take 15 to 20 minutes. You'll still need to link a funding source or arrange to deposit money after the account opens.

At a Chase branch, bring your government-issued ID, Social Security number, and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or recent bank statement dated within the last 60 days). A banker will complete the process with you, run your identity check, and you can fund the account on the spot with cash, a check, or a transfer from another bank. Branch openings usually take 20 to 30 minutes and your account is ready to use when ready.

Find your nearest Chase branch at Chase.com/locations or call 1-800-935-9935 to confirm hours before you visit.

What Chase will check before opening your account

Chase runs a ChexSystems report, which is a banking history database that tracks overdrafts, bounced checks, and fraud reports from other banks. If you have unpaid overdraft fees, multiple NSF (non-sufficient funds) incidents, or fraud flags, Chase may deny your process. Some applicants are denied for six months to two years depending on the severity of the issue.

You can check your own ChexSystems report for free at ChexSystems.com before you explore. If there are errors on your report, you can dispute them directly with ChexSystems. If the report is accurate but you were denied, you can reapply after the waiting period ends, or contact Chase directly to ask if there are alternative account options available to you.

Chase also verifies your identity through credit bureaus and may ask follow-up questions if your information doesn't match their records. This is standard and does not hurt your credit score.

Funding your new Chase account

If you opened your account online, you can link an external bank account and transfer money when ready. Chase will ask for your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or in your other bank's online portal. The first transfer may take one to two business days to clear.

If you opened your account at a branch, you can deposit cash or a check on the spot. If you opened by phone, you'll need to fund the account after the call ends — either by visiting a branch, transferring from another bank account online, or mailing a check to the address Chase provides.

Some Chase accounts have no minimum opening deposit, so you can open the account with $0 and add money later. Check the account details when you explore to see if a deposit is required.

Monthly fees and minimum balance requirements

Chase checking accounts charge a monthly service fee of $12 (as of the most recent update, though this may change). You can waive the fee if you maintain a minimum balance — usually $500 to $1,500 depending on the account type — or if you receive direct deposits of at least $500 per month. Some accounts waive the fee if you keep a linked savings account with a minimum balance.

Savings accounts do not have monthly fees, but they earn interest at a rate that changes based on Federal Reserve decisions. Chase publishes current rates on their website. Money market accounts combine checking and savings features and may have higher minimum balance requirements.

Overdraft fees explore if you spend more than your account balance. Chase charges $35 per overdraft transaction (as of the most recent update). You can set up overdraft protection by linking a savings account or external account, which transfers money automatically to cover the shortfall.

After your account opens

Your debit card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it by calling the number on the back of the card or through the Chase mobile app. Your online banking login works when ready, even before the physical card arrives.

Set up direct deposit if your employer offers it — this waives the monthly service fee on most Chase checking accounts and deposits your paycheck two days earlier than standard processing. Your employer will need your routing number (021000021 for most Chase accounts) and your account number, which you can find in your online banking portal or on a check.

read the Chase mobile app to check your balance, transfer money, deposit checks by photo, and pay bills. You can also set up alerts for low balances, large transactions, or when your balance falls below a certain amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase account if I'm under 18?

Chase offers accounts for minors, but you must have a parent or guardian as a co-owner. The adult will need to be present in person at a branch or provide consent during a phone opening. Some Chase branches have special teen checking accounts with lower or no fees.

What if I don't have a Social Security number?

Chase requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to open an account. If you don't have one, you'll need to obtain an ITIN from the IRS before you can open a bank account at Chase.

How long does it take to receive my debit card?

Physical debit cards arrive in 7 to 10 business days. You can use your account number for online purchases and bill payments when ready after opening. If you need a card faster, some Chase branches can issue a temporary card in person.

Can I open multiple Chase accounts?

Yes, you can open more than one checking account and more than one savings account. However, Chase may limit the number of accounts you can open within a certain time period. Contact Chase directly if you want to open multiple accounts at once.

What happens if Chase denies my process?

Chase will mail you a letter explaining the reason for denial, usually within 5 to 7 business days. Common reasons include ChexSystems issues, identity verification problems, or fraud flags. You can reapply after the waiting period ends, or contact Chase to discuss alternative account options.