A letter to close a bank account should identify the account and its owner, clearly request closure, explain how to return any remaining balance, and include the signatures and contact details the bank requires. Before sending it, move recurring deposits and payments, check for pending transactions or an overdraft, and follow the bank’s current instructions for the account.
What to include in a bank account closure letter
Use the bank’s required form or wording if it provides one. Otherwise, include the details below so the bank can identify the account and carry out your request.
- Your name and mailing address as they appear on the account.
- The account type and account number. Use the full number if the bank requires it; otherwise, consider identifying the account by its last four digits in the subject line.
- A direct request to close the account.
- Instructions for returning any remaining balance, using a method the bank permits. Confirm the destination details before sending.
- A phone number or email address for questions, plus a request for written confirmation.
- The signature or signatures required by the bank, along with printed names.
Do not include a full Social Security number or other sensitive information unless the bank explicitly requires it and provides a secure way to submit it. Do not state that transactions have cleared or automatic payments have stopped unless that is true.
Bank account closure letter template
Copy and adapt this template after checking your bank’s current requirements. Replace the bracketed text, and remove any statement that does not accurately describe your account.
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[Date]
[Bank name]
[Closure-request address or department]
Subject: Request to close [checking/savings] account ending in [last four digits]
To whom it may concern:
Please close my [checking/savings] account, account number [account number]. Please return any remaining balance by [bank-approved method] to [destination details, if required].
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The name and mailing address on the account are [name and address]. You can contact me at [phone number or email] if you need additional information. Please send written confirmation when the account has been closed.
[If accurate: I have moved or cancelled recurring deposits and payments and allowed pending transactions to post.]
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[Signature(s) required by the bank]
[Printed name(s)]
[Contact information]
What to do before sending the letter
- Check the bank’s current process. Confirm that it accepts a letter for your account type, whether it requires its own form or specific signatures, and where to send the request. Use the current instructions on the bank’s official website rather than an address copied from an old sample.
- Move deposits and payments. Redirect direct deposits and recurring withdrawals to another account. Cancel or update scheduled bill payments and transfers, including payments set up through the bank.
- Wait for pending activity to clear. Account for outstanding checks, card transactions, transfers, deposits, fees, and holds. The CFPB warns that automatic payments or pending items may bounce if an account is closed before they are handled, potentially resulting in fees or affecting your ability to open another account. See the CFPB’s account-closure guidance.
- Resolve an overdraft and check for restrictions or fees. A bank may require you to repay an overdrawn balance before closing the account. Review your account agreement for any fee for closing soon after opening, and ask the bank about account-specific conditions.
- Choose how to receive the balance. Ask which payout methods are available and verify the destination account or mailing details. Banks may offer options such as a transfer to another account at the same institution or a cashier’s check, but methods vary.
- Save records you may need later. Download statements and transaction records before access ends. Keep a copy of the signed request and a record of how and when you sent it.
Can you close a bank account by mail, phone, or in person?
Available closure channels depend on the bank and account. Some institutions accept requests by mail, while others may allow closure by phone or at a branch. The method can also depend on the account’s balance, pending activity, ownership, or type. Check the bank’s current account-closure instructions before choosing a channel.
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For example, Bank of America’s mailed-request instructions call for the customer’s name, address, account number, signatures of all account owners, and directions for any remaining balance. It says the letter must be notarized when the balance is greater than $25,000. These are Bank of America requirements, not general rules for all banks; consult its current account FAQ for details.
Wells Fargo says most accounts can be closed immediately when the balance is positive or zero and deposits, outstanding items, and pending items have posted. In-progress transactions and inactive accounts can prevent immediate closure. Its checking and savings guidance explains its process. A bank’s sample letter or form can help identify fields to include, but use the requirements that apply to your own account.
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What can delay or complicate account closure?
- Pending transactions: Checks, card transactions, deposits, transfers, fees, or holds may need to post before the bank can close the account.
- An overdraft: The bank may require you to bring the balance to zero or pay what you owe first.
- Joint ownership: Signature rules vary. Bank of America, for example, asks all owners to sign a mailed request; do not assume the same rule applies elsewhere.
- Early closure fees: Some banks may charge a fee when an account is closed soon after opening. Check the account agreement for your terms.
- Inactive status: Wells Fargo lists inactive accounts as a condition that can prevent immediate closure.
- Certificates of deposit: A CD follows different rules from an ordinary checking or savings account. Wells Fargo warns that closing a time deposit before maturity may incur an early withdrawal penalty; check the CD agreement and bank instructions.
Credit cards, business accounts, loans, estate-related accounts, and accounts outside the United States may have separate procedures. For those situations, follow the institution’s instructions for that specific product or circumstance.
How to confirm the account is closed
Ask for written confirmation in your letter, then follow up with the bank if you do not receive it. Review the final statement or account activity for transactions that posted during the closing process, and keep the bank’s response with your records. The CFPB says state law generally requires banks or credit unions to close an account within a reasonable amount of time after a request; it does not specify a nationwide number of days. Read the CFPB explanation and ask your bank about the status of your request.
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