Closing accounts
How to close a Chase account for someone who died
Chase has a dedicated process, and much of it can start online.
Chase, like most large banks, has a team that handles accounts after a customer dies. The steps depend on how the account was set up and who is contacting the bank.
How it usually starts
Chase's website has a section for reporting a customer's death, where a family member or executor can start the process online or find the right phone number. Families can also visit a branch. Searching "Chase bereavement" or "Chase report a death" usually finds the current page.
What Chase typically asks for
- The customer's full name and Social Security number
- A death certificate
- The caller's own ID
- Proof of authority if they're the executor, such as letters testamentary or a small-estate affidavit, depending on the state
What usually happens next
| How the account was held | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Joint account | The surviving owner usually keeps the account and can remove the deceased person's name |
| Payable-on-death beneficiary | The beneficiary receives the funds after showing the death certificate and ID |
| Individual account, no beneficiary | The account is frozen and the funds go to the executor, usually into an estate account |
Credit cards and loans
Chase credit cards, car loans and mortgages are handled separately from bank accounts. The same bereavement team can usually point families to each one.
Requirements change, and they can vary by state and account type. Asking Chase for a written list of what they need before sending anything saves a second trip.