What form you need and where to find it
Chase does not use a single standardized direct deposit form. Instead, you set up direct deposit through your employer's payroll system, and your employer sends the payment instructions to Chase using the bank's routing number and your account number. If your employer asks you for a Chase direct deposit form, ask them for their own form instead — they have one designed for their payroll software.
If you are setting up direct deposit yourself (for example, to redirect Social Security or a government benefit), you will need your Chase routing number and your account number. Chase's routing number is 021000021 for most accounts, though some older accounts or specific account types may differ. You can find your account number on the bottom left of any check, or by logging into your Chase account online or calling Chase at 1-800-935-9935.
The organization sending the money — your employer, the Social Security Administration, your state unemployment office — will have its own form or online portal where you enter these details. You do not need a form from Chase itself.
Key Takeaways
- Chase does not issue a direct deposit form; your employer or the organization sending money uses their own form and enters your Chase routing number (021000021) and account number.
- Your account number appears on the bottom left of any check, or you can find it by logging into Chase online or calling 1-800-935-9935.
- If your employer asks for a Chase direct deposit form, give them your routing and account number instead, or ask them for their payroll department's form.
- Direct deposit typically takes one to two pay cycles to activate after you submit the information to your employer.
Finding your routing and account number
Your Chase routing number is printed on the bottom left of any check you have. It is a nine-digit number that comes before your account number. For most Chase customers, the routing number is 021000021, but some accounts opened before certain mergers or specialty accounts may use a different one. The safest approach is to look at an actual check.
Your account number is the longer number on the bottom of the check, printed after the routing number. It typically has 10 to 12 digits. You can also find both numbers by logging into Chase.com or the Chase mobile app, going to your account details, and looking for the routing and account information section.
If you do not have a check and cannot access online banking, call Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935. Have your account number or the card linked to the account ready, and they will provide both numbers over the phone.
How to give your information to your employer
Ask your employer's payroll or human resources department for their direct deposit form or portal. Most large employers have an online system where you enter your banking information yourself. Smaller employers may use a paper form that you fill out and return to payroll.
On the form or in the portal, you will enter your routing number (021000021 for most Chase accounts) and your account number. You may also need to specify the account type — checking or savings — and provide your name as it appears on the account. Some forms ask for the bank name (Chase Bank) and the bank address, though this is less common.
After you submit the information, payroll will test it by sending a small deposit (usually under $1) to verify the account is real and belongs to you. Once that test deposit clears, your regular paychecks will be deposited automatically. This process typically takes one to two pay cycles.
Setting up direct deposit for government benefits
If you are redirecting Social Security, unemployment, tax refunds, or other government payments to Chase, the process is similar but you work directly with the government agency rather than an employer. The Social Security Administration, IRS, and state unemployment offices all have online portals or forms where you enter your routing and account number.
Social Security uses a system called Direct Express or allows you to set up direct deposit through your my Social Security account online. The IRS lets you enter banking information when you file taxes or through their website. State unemployment offices have their own portals, usually accessible through your state's labor department website.
Government direct deposits typically take longer to activate than employer payroll — often two to four weeks — because the agencies verify the account information before sending money. You will receive a confirmation once the setup is complete.
What to do if direct deposit is not working
If your first direct deposit does not arrive on the expected date, wait three to five business days. Bank transfers sometimes take longer than expected, especially if they are sent on a weekend or holiday. Check your Chase account online or through the app to see if the deposit has posted.
If the money does not appear after five business days, contact your employer's payroll department first. Ask them to confirm that they sent the deposit and that the routing and account number they have on file are correct. If payroll confirms they sent it, call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and provide them with the date the deposit was supposed to arrive. Chase can trace the transfer and tell you whether it reached the bank or was rejected.
Common reasons direct deposit fails include a typo in the account number, using the wrong routing number, or the account being closed or flagged for fraud. If Chase identifies a problem on their end, they can help you resolve it. If the problem is with your employer's information, you will need to update it in your employer's payroll system.
Changing or canceling direct deposit
To change your direct deposit — for example, to send your paycheck to a different bank or account — log into your employer's payroll portal and update the banking information there. The change usually takes effect on the next pay cycle after you submit it, though some employers require a full pay period's notice.
If you want to stop direct deposit and receive a paper check instead, contact your employer's payroll department and ask them to switch you back to check payment. You can also cancel direct deposit on your end by contacting Chase, but it is simpler to have your employer stop sending it. Once payroll stops sending deposits, no more money will be transferred to your Chase account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chase's routing number for direct deposit?
For most Chase accounts, the routing number is 021000021. You can confirm your specific routing number by looking at the bottom left of a check, logging into Chase online, or calling 1-800-935-9935. Some older or specialty accounts may use a different routing number.
Do I need to print a form from Chase to set up direct deposit?
No. Chase does not issue a direct deposit form. Your employer or the organization sending money uses their own form and enters your routing number and account number. If your employer specifically asks for a Chase form, provide them with your routing and account number instead.
How long does it take for direct deposit to start?
Direct deposit from an employer usually starts within one to two pay cycles after you submit your information to payroll. Government benefits typically take two to four weeks to activate. The first deposit may be a small test amount to verify the account.
Can I set up direct deposit online, or do I have to use a paper form?
Most employers now offer online payroll portals where you enter your banking information yourself. Some smaller employers still use paper forms. Ask your payroll department which method they use. Either way, you provide the same information: your routing number and account number.
What should I do if my direct deposit goes to the wrong account?
Contact your employer's payroll department immediately and ask them to verify the routing and account number they have on file. If the information is wrong, update it in the payroll system. For the deposit that went to the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank to have the money returned or transferred.