Call your card issuer and request to close the account
The fastest way to close a credit card is to call the customer service number on the back of your card. Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will confirm your identity, check for any remaining balance, and process the closure. The call usually takes five to ten minutes.
Before you call, pay off any balance you owe. Most issuers will not close an account with an outstanding balance — they will ask you to pay it first or set up a payment plan. If you have a zero balance, the closure can happen when ready over the phone.
Ask the representative to confirm the closure in writing. Some issuers send a letter; others email it. This written confirmation protects you if there is a dispute later about whether the account was actually closed.
Key Takeaways
- Pay your full balance before calling to close, because most issuers will not close an account with money owed.
- Call the number on the back of your card and tell the representative you want to close the account — the process takes about ten minutes.
- Request written confirmation of the closure, either by mail or email, so you have proof the account is closed.
- Closing a card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and may raise your credit utilization ratio.
- After closure, continue checking your credit report for several months to make sure the account shows as closed and no fraudulent charges appear.
What happens to your credit score when you close a card
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score, usually by a small amount. The main reason is that your total available credit shrinks. If you had a $5,000 limit and you close that card, you now have $5,000 less credit available across all your accounts. This can raise your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are using — even if you do not charge anything new.
The impact is temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep other accounts in good standing and pay bills on time. The longer the closed account stays on your credit report (usually seven to ten years), the less it affects your score.
If the card you are closing is your oldest account, the closure may also lower your average account age, which factors into your credit score. Again, this effect fades over time.
Pay off your balance before closing
Do not close a card with a balance still owed. The issuer will either refuse to close it or will close it while the debt remains, and you will still owe the money. You will continue to receive statements and may be charged interest until the balance is paid.
If you have a large balance, you can ask the issuer whether you can close the account after you finish paying it off. Some issuers allow you to request a closure date in the future, though this is not standard. Most straightforward close the account once the balance hits zero.
If you are carrying a balance and want to close the card, make a plan to pay it down first. Once the balance is zero, call to close.
Check your credit report after closure
After you close the account, the card issuer reports the closure to the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This usually happens within one to two billing cycles. You should see the account status change from "Open" to "Closed" on your credit report.
Check your credit report two to three months after closure to confirm the account shows as closed. You can get a free copy of your report from each bureau once per year at annualcreditreport.com. Look for any errors — for example, if the account still shows as open or if fraudulent charges appear after you closed it.
If the account does not show as closed after three months, contact the issuer again and ask them to confirm the closure with the credit bureaus. Keep records of your closure confirmation letter in case you need to dispute the status later.
Decide whether to close the card or just stop using it
Closing a card is permanent, but you do not have to close it to stop using it. You can straightforward cut up the card or delete it from your digital wallet and leave the account open with a zero balance. This way, your available credit stays on your report and your score may not drop.
Leaving the account open is often better for your credit score, especially if the card has no annual fee. The issuer may eventually close it for inactivity, but this usually takes a year or more of no charges.
Close the card only if you have a specific reason: the issuer charges an annual fee you do not want to pay, you are trying to simplify your finances, or you want to remove the temptation to use it. If none of these explore, leaving it open costs you nothing and helps your credit profile.
Handle store cards and secured cards differently
Store credit cards (issued by retailers like Target or Macy's) close the same way as regular cards: call the number on the back and request closure. The impact on your credit score is the same. However, store cards often have lower credit limits, so closing one may have a smaller effect on your overall utilization ratio.
Secured credit cards work differently. A secured card is backed by a cash deposit you put down upfront. If you want to close a secured card, you will need to pay off any balance first, then call to close. After closure, the issuer will return your deposit to the account or bank you used to fund it. This can take one to two weeks.
If you have a secured card and want to graduate to a regular card, some issuers will convert your account instead of closing it. Ask the representative whether conversion is an option before you request closure.
What to do if the issuer refuses to close your account
Most issuers close accounts when you request it, but occasionally a representative may push back or say they cannot close it. This is rare. If it happens, ask to speak to a supervisor or call back and try again with a different representative.
If the issuer continues to refuse, send a written request by certified mail to the address on your statement. Include your account number, your name, and a clear statement that you want the account closed. Keep a copy for your records. The issuer is required to process your request within a reasonable time frame.
Document everything: the date you called, the representative's name, what they said, and any written confirmation you receive. If there is a dispute later about whether the account was closed, this record protects you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing a credit card hurt my credit score?
Closing a card can lower your score temporarily because it reduces your available credit and may raise your utilization ratio. The impact is usually small and fades within a few months. If the card is your oldest account, the effect may last longer, but your score will recover as you maintain other accounts in good standing.
Can I close a credit card with a balance?
Most issuers will not close an account with an outstanding balance. You must pay off what you owe first. If you close the account before paying, the debt remains and you will continue to receive statements and pay interest until it is settled.
How long does it take to close a credit card?
The closure itself happens when ready when you call. However, it can take one to two billing cycles for the closure to appear on your credit report. The issuer will send written confirmation within a few days to a few weeks, depending on whether they mail or email it.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the card?
This depends on the issuer's policy. Some let you redeem rewards before closure; others let you keep the points and redeem them after the account closes; some cancel unused points. Ask the representative what happens to your rewards before you close the account, and redeem any points you want to keep.
Should I close old credit cards or keep them open?
Keeping old cards open is usually better for your credit score because it preserves your available credit and your account history. Close a card only if it charges an annual fee you do not want to pay or if you have another specific reason. If there is no fee, leaving it open with a zero balance costs nothing and helps your credit profile.