Last verified 2026-07-13 · every fact checked against the primary sources below
How to close a Chase bank account when the owner dies
Last verified: July 13, 2026
The short answer: Notify Chase once — online, by phone at 1-866-926-6909 (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–7 PM ET), or at a branch — and the notification is shared across the whole bank. Bring a death certificate, your own ID, and the deceased's Social Security or account number. Who can actually receive the money depends on how the account was titled: a joint owner or named beneficiary can claim it directly, while a solely owned account goes through Chase Estate Services with court papers or a California small-estate affidavit.
Step 1: Notify Chase (one notification covers all accounts)
Chase accepts the death notification from anyone, regardless of relationship to the deceased (Chase Estate Services FAQ). Three ways (chase.com/personal/estate-services):
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Online | "Notify us" flow at chase.com/personal/estate-services |
| Phone | 1-866-926-6909, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–7 PM ET (operator relay calls accepted) |
| In person | Schedule a meeting at any Chase branch |
Have ready (chase.com):
- The death certificate (a legible photocopy is often enough to start; Chase may require a certified copy depending on circumstances — FAQ)
- Your ID: passport, driver's license, or state-issued ID
- Your relationship to the deceased
- The deceased's Social Security number and/or account number
Step 2: Contact the right department to close each account
After the notification, closing or changing accounts happens per line of business (chase.com):
| Account type | Phone | Hours (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Checking, savings, credit cards | 1-866-926-6909 | Mon–Fri 8 AM–7 PM |
| Auto loans/leases | 1-877-828-4771 | Mon–Fri 9 AM–5:30 PM |
| Home lending (mortgage) | 1-866-299-6752 | Mon–Fri 8 AM–8 PM |
| J.P. Morgan investment accounts | 1-800-648-4782 | Mon–Fri 8 AM–8 PM, Sat 8 AM–6 PM |
Step 3: Prove your authority to receive the funds
What Chase requires depends on how the account was owned (Chase FAQ):
| Account situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Joint account with a survivor | Death certificate; the survivor keeps access |
| Account with a named beneficiary (POD/ITF) | Death certificate and the beneficiary's ID |
| Solely owned, estate in probate | Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court |
| Solely owned, small estate (California) | A small-estate affidavit under Probate Code § 13100 — usable 40 days after death when the countable estate is $208,850 or less (deaths on or after April 1, 2025); attach form DE-300. Chase's FAQ accepts "declarations or affidavits effectuating the transfer of the estate assets without probate" (FAQ) |
Chase provides account information only to the executor/administrator, an attorney acting for the estate, or a personal representative (FAQ).
How long it takes
Chase does not publish a standard processing time; it states that required documents "vary by account and state requirements and may impact settlement time" (chase.com). [TODO-VERIFY: typical days-to-release once documents are complete — confirm with Chase Estate Services]
Practical notes:
- Direct deposits that arrive after death (Social Security especially) may be pulled back from the account. Do not spend recent deposits until Social Security is reconciled.
- Automatic payments stop working once the account is restricted. List them first if you can, so you can move anything essential (property insurance, utilities on the home).
- Get a final statement before closure — the estate's tax return will need it.
The Estate Desk handles this for California families. theestatedesk.com
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