What to do when a Chime account holder dies
Report the death to Chime's Member Services at 1-844-244-6363
When an account holder at Chime passes away, the next step depends on how the accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with Chime's Member Services (1-844-244-6363) to access and distribute the funds.
The first step is contacting Chime at 1-844-244-6363 with the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate in hand.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Chime requires:
Filing a claim
- Member Services can also be reached by chat in the Chime app: Profile > Help Center > Chat.
- The form asks for the email address on the Chime account and sends a one-time passcode to it.
- Atomic responds by email within one business day; its email support team works Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID, for the person making the requestChime may ask for a clear image "for security purposes".
- Death certificate or Consular Report of Death AbroadChime may ask for a clear image of the member's death certificate or Consular Report of Death Abroad.
- Additional documentation, if Chime asks for itChime's article says "Additional documentation may be requested depending on the situation."
- Proof of death, for a joint account, to release funds to the surviving account holderThe joint agreement says the bank "may rely on proof of death acceptable to it (such as a certified death certificate)".
What happens to each kind of account4
- Account in one name
The Checking Account "may only be owned and titled in the name of one person" and cannot be owned or titled jointly, by any organization, as payable on death (POD) or in trust for (ITF).1
A Savings Account is likewise in one person's name only. Under the Chime Sweep Program, Bancorp places the Savings balance in Program Deposit Accounts at one or more of at least four Program Banks.2
- Payable-on-death account
Chime does not support adding beneficiaries to an account, including payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) designations.3
- Joint account with survivorship
A Chime joint account is held by joint tenants with right of survivorship. "Upon the death of an Account Holder, all funds become the property of the surviving Account Holder(s)," and the surviving holder agrees to notify the bank of the death.4
After a joint holder's death, the bank may still pay checks and withdrawals that holder authorized and set off a debt that holder owed against the joint account, "notwithstanding any rights that a surviving Account Holder may have".4
Once notified, Chime reviews the joint account and explains any changes, which may include closing the joint account, updating access, or changing how the account is managed or reported.5
- Credit card
Under the Chime Credit Card Agreement, the bank may treat the account as in default if "you die or are legally declared incapacitated," and "your obligations under this Agreement shall be binding upon your estate or personal representatives."6
The Secured Deposit Account cannot be closed until the card and SpotMe for Credit Builder obligations are fully paid and those accounts are closed. The bank may then hold the funds for up to 60 days and mails unused funds by check "to your mailing address on file".7
If the refund check comes back undeliverable, the bank holds the Secured Deposit Account funds until someone provides information on how to send them "or until we are required to remit your funds to a state under an applicable unclaimed property law".7
Accounts handled elsewhere3
- The Bancorp Bank, N.A.
Partner bank that provides Chime banking services and issues Chime cards; the back of the card names its issuing bank8
- Stride Bank, N.A.
Partner bank that provides Chime banking services and issues Chime cards; the back of the card names its issuing bank8
- Atomic Brokerage LLC
Brokerage services for Investing in the Chime app, with investment support from Atomic9
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-8:00 PM ET
What Chime's agreement and guidance say5
- Telling the institution
Under "Death or Incapacitation," the account holder or an appointed party agrees to notify the bank promptly of a death. The bank keeps accepting deposits and processing transactions until it is notified and has a reasonable opportunity to act.1
- Payments after the death
Even with knowledge of the death, the bank may pay or process transactions dated on or before the date of death for up to ten days after that date, unless someone claiming an interest in the Checking Account orders it to stop payment.1
- What it does when notified
"We may require additional documentation to confirm any claims made on the Checking Account."1
- Powers of attorney
The agent under a power of attorney "is required to notify us in writing if the Principal dies," and the power continues in force until the bank receives written notification of the principal's death or another listed event.1
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
An inactive account "may be considered dormant and is subject to escheatment," and the bank may be required to send the balance to the state of the last known address. "For a Checking Account with an international address, the funds will be remitted to the State of South Dakota."1
Stride "may consider an account dormant even if you maintain another active account with us," and "If funds are transferred to the state, you may file a claim with the state to recover the funds."10
Not in Chime's published guidance2
- A claim form
- How long a claim takes
Sources10
- 1.Deposit Account Agreement (The Bancorp Bank, N.A.), Rev. 09/2026
- 2.Savings Account Agreement, EFFECTIVE 07/2026
- 3.Can I add a beneficiary to my Chime account?
- 4.Chime Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship Bank Deposit Account Agreement, Rev. 06/2026
- 5.Understanding what happens if a joint account co-owner passes away
- 6.Chime Credit Card Agreement, Rev. 02/2026
- 7.Application Disclosure and Secured Deposit Account Agreement, effective 12/2025
- 8.How do I close a deceased member's account?
- 9.Get help with Investing in the Chime app
- 10.Chime Deposit Account Agreement (Stride Bank, N.A.), Rev. 08/2026
Chime's Member Services can be reached by phone at 1-844-244-6363 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Chime primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.
Chime death claims support
Member Services
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Chime accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.
