The steps to close a credit card account
To close a credit card account, contact your card issuer by phone, online portal, or mail and request account closure. Most issuers will ask you to confirm your identity and may ask why you're closing the account — this is optional to answer. Pay any remaining balance in full before or at the time of closure. After you hang up or submit your request, the issuer will send you written confirmation that the account is closed.
The entire process typically takes one phone call or a few minutes online. However, the effects on your credit report unfold over months. Your closed account will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years if it was in good standing, and longer if it had missed payments. During that time, it continues to affect your credit score — sometimes negatively, depending on your other accounts and payment history.
Key Takeaways
- Call your card issuer's customer service number (on the back of your card) and ask to close the account, or use their online portal or mobile app.
- Pay off any balance before closing, because interest and fees will continue to accrue on a closed account with a balance.
- Closing a card reduces your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and lower your credit score temporarily.
- A closed account in good standing stays on your credit report for about 10 years, so the damage is not permanent.
- If you're closing the account because of fraud or a dispute, ask the issuer to note that in your account record.
How closing a card affects your credit score
Closing a credit card account reduces the total amount of credit available to you. If you have other cards with balances, your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit you're using — will increase. A higher utilization ratio typically lowers your credit score. For example, if you have $5,000 in balances across two cards with a combined $20,000 limit, your utilization is 25%. If you close one card with a $10,000 limit, your utilization jumps to 33%, assuming your balances stay the same.
The score drop is usually temporary. As you pay down balances on your remaining cards, your utilization falls and your score recovers. The closed account itself does not when ready disappear from your credit report — it will show as "closed by consumer" and continue to factor into your score for several years. If the account was in good standing with no late payments, the long-term impact is minimal.
If you closed the account because it had a late payment or other negative mark, that mark stays on your report regardless of closure. Closing the account does not erase past problems.
When to close a card and when to keep it open
Close a card if you're paying an annual fee you don't use, if the card has a high interest rate and you're tempted to carry a balance, or if you're trying to simplify your wallet. You should also close a card if it was compromised by fraud and you've received a replacement card from the issuer.
Keep a card open if it has no annual fee, even if you don't use it regularly. An open account with a zero balance helps your credit utilization ratio and shows a longer history of responsible credit use. If the card has an annual fee but offers rewards or benefits you value, the fee may be worth paying.
If you're closing multiple cards at once, space them out over several months. Closing several accounts in quick succession can signal financial distress to lenders and cause a larger dip in your score.
What to do before you close the account
Pay off any remaining balance on the card. Interest and late fees will continue to accrue on a closed account if a balance remains, and the issuer will continue to send you bills. Some issuers will not close an account with an outstanding balance until you've paid it off.
Check your account for any pending transactions or recurring charges. If you have subscriptions or automatic payments set to this card, update them to a different payment method before closing. Transactions that post after closure may be declined or cause problems with the merchant.
If the card offers rewards points or cash back, use or redeem them before closure. Policies vary — some issuers let you redeem after closure, but others do not. Check your card's terms or ask the issuer what happens to your rewards balance.
How to close your account by phone, online, or mail
By phone: 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, verify the account has a zero balance, and process the closure. Ask them to send written confirmation to your address on file. This is the fastest method and gives you a confirmation number to reference.
Online or through the mobile app: Log into your account on the issuer's website or app. Look for a settings or account management section. Many issuers offer a "close account" option in the account settings. You may need to pay off any balance first. After you submit the request, you should receive an email confirmation within a few days.
By mail: Write a letter to the issuer's customer service address (found on your statement or the issuer's website). Include your account number, full name, and a clear statement that you want to close the account. Send it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. This method is slower — allow two to four weeks for processing and confirmation.
What happens after you close the account
The issuer will send you written confirmation that the account is closed. Your card will no longer work for purchases. Any pending transactions may still post to the account for a few days after closure, so continue to monitor your statements for a month or two.
The closed account will appear on your credit report with a status of "closed by consumer." It will remain there for about 10 years if it was in good standing. During that time, it will continue to be factored into your credit score, though its weight decreases as newer accounts and payment history accumulate.
If you closed the account because of fraud or a dispute with the issuer, keep copies of all correspondence and your confirmation of closure. If the issuer later reports the account as "closed by creditor" instead of "closed by consumer," you can dispute that with the credit bureaus using your documentation.
Alternatives to closing an account
If you're closing a card mainly because you don't use it, consider keeping it open instead. Put a small recurring charge on it — like a streaming service — and set up automatic payment from your bank account. This keeps the account active and in good standing without requiring you to think about it.
If the card has an annual fee and you want to keep the account history, call the issuer and ask if they can downgrade you to a no-fee version of the same card. Many issuers offer this option and will waive the fee for a period of time if you ask. This preserves your account age and credit history without the cost.
If you're closing the card because the interest rate is too high, consider requesting a lower rate instead. Issuers sometimes reduce rates for customers with good payment history, especially if you mention you're considering closing the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing a credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually temporarily. Your score may drop by 10 to 50 points in the short term because closing the card reduces your available credit and raises your utilization ratio. The impact lessens over time as you pay down balances on other cards. After a few months, the effect is usually minimal.
Can I close a credit card with a balance?
Most issuers require you to pay off the balance before closing. If you try to close with a balance remaining, the issuer will typically decline and ask you to pay first. Even if they allow closure, interest will continue to accrue on the remaining balance, and you'll keep receiving bills.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the card?
This varies by issuer. Some let you redeem points after closure, while others require you to redeem before the account closes. Check your card's terms or ask the issuer before you close. If you have a large points balance, redeem it first.
How long does it take to close a credit card?
By phone, closure is when ready — you'll get a confirmation number on the call. By mail, allow two to four weeks. Online closure typically takes a few days. You'll receive written confirmation by mail within one to two weeks regardless of the method you use.
Should I close old cards or new cards first?
If you must close a card, close a newer one rather than an older one. The length of your credit history matters for your score, so keeping older accounts open — even if you don't use them — is better for your credit profile.