The basic steps to close your Wells Fargo account
You can close a Wells Fargo checking or savings account by phone, in person at a branch, or online through Wells Fargo's website. The fastest method is usually a phone call to the number on the back of your debit card or your account statement — you'll reach a representative who can walk you through the process in about 10 minutes. If you prefer to do it in person, bring a photo ID to any Wells Fargo branch and ask to speak with an account representative.
Before you close the account, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to that account have been moved to a new bank or turned off. Wells Fargo will not automatically redirect these, and a missed payment or deposit can create problems weeks after you close the account. If you have checks still outstanding, wait until they clear or contact the people you wrote them to and ask them to deposit them before you close.
You do not need to have a zero balance to close the account — Wells Fargo will close it even if you have money in it. However, if there is money remaining, you'll need to decide how to access it: the bank can mail you a check, transfer it to another account you own, or you can withdraw it in cash before closing.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on your debit card or statement to close by phone, or visit a branch in person with a photo ID.
- Stop or redirect any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring charges before you close the account.
- Wait for any outstanding checks to clear, or contact the recipients and ask them to deposit them before closing.
- If you have a remaining balance, you can request a check by mail, a transfer to another account, or withdraw the money in cash.
- Closing an account does not remove it from your credit report, but it may affect your credit score if the account was in good standing.
What to do with automatic payments and direct deposits
This is the most common reason people run into trouble after closing an account. If your paycheck, Social Security, or a pension is deposited into the Wells Fargo account, you need to change the deposit instructions with your employer or the government agency before you close. The same applies to any bills you pay automatically from that account — utilities, insurance, loan payments, subscriptions.
Contact each company or agency and provide them with your new bank account number and routing number. This usually takes a few minutes on their website or over the phone. Do not assume the old account will straightforward stop receiving deposits or that payments will bounce harmlessly — instead, they may be returned to the sender, which can trigger late fees or a missed payment on your credit report.
If you're unsure which companies have access to your Wells Fargo account, log into online banking and look for recurring transactions over the past two or three months. Write down every company that appears regularly, then contact each one to update your account information.
Outstanding checks and pending transactions
If you've written checks that haven't been deposited yet, those checks will bounce once you close the account. The recipient will be charged a fee, and you may face legal liability depending on your state and the amount. The safest approach is to wait at least two weeks after writing a check before closing the account, or contact the person or business and ask them to deposit it sooner.
Pending transactions — charges that show in your account but haven't fully processed — can also cause problems. These typically clear within one to three business days. If you're closing the account soon, wait for these to finish processing before you close, or call Wells Fargo and ask them to confirm which transactions are still pending.
How to handle your remaining balance
Wells Fargo offers three ways to access money left in the account after you close it. You can request a check mailed to your address, which usually arrives within five to seven business days. You can ask the bank to transfer the balance to another account you own at Wells Fargo or at a different bank — this typically takes one to three business days. Or you can withdraw the full balance in cash at a branch before closing.
If you close the account and then realize you forgot to move the money, you can still contact Wells Fargo and ask them to reopen it or transfer the funds. However, this takes longer and creates unnecessary hassle. Before you close, confirm the balance on your statement and decide which method works best for you.
Closing accounts and your credit score
Closing a Wells Fargo account does not remove it from your credit report. The account will remain visible for up to 10 years after you close it, marked as "closed by consumer." This is normal and does not hurt your credit score on its own.
However, closing an account can affect your credit score indirectly. If the account was in good standing and had a long history, closing it reduces the average age of your accounts, which may lower your score slightly. If you had a high credit limit on a credit card account, closing it reduces your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and lower your score. These effects are usually small and temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months as you use your remaining accounts responsibly.
If you're closing a checking or savings account, the impact on your credit is minimal because these accounts don't appear on your credit report at all. Only credit cards, loans, and lines of credit affect your credit score.
Closing accounts online, by phone, or in person
Wells Fargo does not offer account closure through their mobile app or online banking portal — you must call or visit a branch. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your statement. Have your account number and photo ID ready. The representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing the account, and walk you through the steps.
If you prefer in-person closure, bring a photo ID to any Wells Fargo branch during business hours. Ask to speak with an account representative, not a teller. They can close the account on the spot and discuss what to do with your remaining balance. This method is useful if you want to withdraw cash when ready or if you have questions the representative can answer face-to-face.
Closing by phone is usually faster — most calls take 10 to 15 minutes. You'll receive a confirmation number, and Wells Fargo will send you a written confirmation in the mail within a few days. Keep this confirmation for your records.
What happens after you close the account
Once the account is closed, you cannot use the debit card or make transfers from it. Any pending transactions will still process if they were authorized before closure, so monitor your account for a few days after closing to make sure everything cleared as expected. If you see a charge you don't recognize, contact Wells Fargo when ready.
If you had overdraft protection linked to another account, that protection ends when you close the account. If you close a savings account that was linked to a checking account for overdraft coverage, make sure you've set up a new overdraft source or turned off overdraft protection on the checking account.
Wells Fargo will not charge you a fee to close an account. If someone tells you there is a fee, that is not accurate — you can close for free at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my Wells Fargo account if I have a negative balance?
No. You must bring the account to zero or positive before closing. If you owe money, pay the balance first. If you don't pay, Wells Fargo may send the debt to a collection agency, which will appear on your credit report and make it harder to open accounts at other banks.
How long does it take to close a Wells Fargo account?
The closure itself is when ready — the representative will close it during the call or visit. However, pending transactions may take a few more days to clear, and any remaining balance may take several days to reach you if you requested a check or transfer.
Will closing my account affect my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account has no direct impact on your credit score because these accounts don't report to credit bureaus. Closing a credit card account may lower your score slightly because it reduces your available credit, but the effect is usually temporary.
What if I closed my account and forgot to move my direct deposit?
Contact Wells Fargo when ready and explain the situation. They may be able to reopen the account temporarily or redirect deposits to a new account. Contact your employer or the agency sending the deposit and provide them with your new bank information as soon as possible.
Can I close a joint account if the other person doesn't want to?
No. Both account holders must agree to close a joint account. If you and the other person disagree, you can remove yourself from the account by visiting a branch with your photo ID, but the account will remain open in the other person's name.