You can close a Chase card online through your account dashboard, by phone, or by mail — online is fastest if you want to do it yourself right now
Chase lets you close most credit cards through your online account without calling. Log into Chase.com, find the card you want to close in your account menu, look for a "Close Account" or "Account Services" option, and follow the prompts. The process takes a few minutes. If you cannot find the option online or your card type does not support online closure, you can call Chase at the number on the back of your card and ask a representative to close it for you.
Before you close the account, pay any remaining balance in full. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and even if they did, you would still owe the debt. Also check your recent statements to make sure there are no pending charges that have not posted yet — closing the account does not stop charges that were already authorized.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Chase account online, navigate to the card details, and select the close account option if it appears — this works for most personal credit cards.
- You must pay your full balance before closing; Chase will not process a closure request on an account with money owed.
- If you cannot find the online closure option, call the number on the back of your card and ask a representative to close it instead.
- After closure, your card stops working immediately, but the account remains on your credit report for seven years if it was in good standing.
- Closing a card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit, so close cards you do not use rather than ones you do.
Steps to close your Chase card online
Start by logging into Chase.com with your username and password. Once you are in your account, look for the card you want to close. This is usually listed under "Accounts" or "Credit Cards" in the main menu. Click on that specific card to open its details page.
On the card details page, look for a link or button labeled "Close Account," "Account Services," "Manage Account," or "More Options." The exact wording varies depending on which Chase card you have and when the website was last updated. If you see a menu icon (three horizontal lines) or a gear icon, click that first — the close account option is often nested inside. Click the close account option and follow the on-screen prompts. Chase will ask you to confirm that you want to close the account and may ask why you are closing it. Answer the questions and submit. You should see a confirmation message on screen and receive an email confirmation within a few minutes.
If you do not see a close account option anywhere on the card details page, the card type may not support online closure. Move to the phone method instead.
Closing your card by phone if the online option is not available
Call the number on the back of your Chase credit card. You will reach an automated system first. Listen for a menu option related to account services, account changes, or closing an account. If you do not hear one, press 0 or say "representative" to speak to a person. Tell the representative you want to close your credit card account.
The representative will confirm your identity by asking for your card number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or other verification information. They will then confirm that your balance is zero and ask you to confirm one more time that you want to close the account. Once you confirm, they will close it immediately. Ask the representative for a confirmation number and write it down. You should also receive a written confirmation in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
The phone method takes longer than online closure — typically 10 to 15 minutes including hold time — but it guarantees you reach someone who can close the account even if your card type does not support online closure.
What happens to your card and account after closure
Your card stops working the moment the account closes. You cannot use it for purchases, balance transfers, or cash advances. If you have set up automatic payments using this card, those payments will fail. Before you close the account, update any recurring charges (subscriptions, utilities, insurance) to a different payment method. Check your recent statements to see which merchants charge this card regularly.
The closed account stays on your credit report for seven years if it was in good standing when you closed it. This means it still counts toward your credit history and shows lenders that you managed the account responsibly. If the account had late payments or was closed while you owed money, it may stay on your report longer or be marked as "closed by consumer" or "closed by creditor," which can affect your score differently.
How closing a card affects your credit score
Closing a credit card usually lowers your credit score in the short term, typically by 5 to 50 points depending on your overall credit profile. The main reason is that your credit utilization ratio — the amount of credit you are using divided by the total credit available to you — goes up when you remove available credit from the equation. If you have a $5,000 balance spread across two $10,000-limit cards and you close one, your utilization jumps from 25% to 50%, which signals higher risk to credit scoring models.
The impact is smaller if you close a card with a $0 balance and no recent activity. It is larger if you close a card you use regularly or one with a high credit limit. If you want to minimize the hit to your score, close cards you do not use rather than cards you actively charge to. The score recovery is usually quick — most people see their score rebound within a few months as long as they keep other accounts in good standing.
Closing a card by mail if you prefer written confirmation
If you want a paper trail or do not have access to the online portal, you can close your card by mail. Write a letter to Chase requesting account closure. Include your full name, card number, and the date. Keep the letter brief — one or two sentences is enough. Mail it to the address on the back of your card or on your statement. Chase typically processes mail requests within 10 to 15 business days.
Before you mail the letter, make sure your balance is paid in full and take a photo or scan of the letter for your records. Mail closure is slower than online or phone closure and leaves more room for miscommunication, so use this method only if you have a specific reason to want written documentation.
What to do if you cannot close your account online
Some Chase card products — particularly business cards, secured cards, or older account types — do not have an online closure option. If you click through your account and do not see a close account button, call Chase instead. Business cards almost always require a phone call to close because they may have authorized users or special terms that need to be reviewed before closure.
If you have a secured credit card (one backed by a cash deposit), closing the account does not automatically release your deposit. After you close the card, contact Chase to request the return of your deposit. This can take an additional 5 to 10 business days to process. Ask for a confirmation number when you request the deposit return so you can track it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Chase card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score typically drops 5 to 50 points because closing the account reduces your available credit and raises your utilization ratio. The impact is smaller if you close a card with a zero balance. Most people see their score recover within a few months if they keep other accounts in good standing and do not miss any payments.
What if I have a balance when I try to close my account?
Chase will not close the account while you owe money. You must pay the full balance first. After the payment posts — usually within one to three business days — you can then close the account online or by phone.
Can I reopen a Chase credit card after I close it?
You cannot reopen the exact same account once it is closed. If you change your mind, you would need to apply for a new card. Chase may approve you quickly if you have a good history with them, but it is a new application and a new account number, not a reopening of the old one.
Do I need to destroy my physical card after closing the account?
Yes. Cut the card in half or shred it so it cannot be used. The card stops working immediately when the account closes, but destroying it prevents someone from finding it and attempting to use it.
How long does it take for the account to fully close?
The account closes immediately when you complete the online process or when a representative closes it over the phone. However, it can take 7 to 10 business days for the closure to appear on your credit report and for any final statements or confirmations to arrive in the mail.