Call your card issuer and request account closure
The fastest way to close a credit card account is to call the customer service number on the back of your card. Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will ask you a few questions — usually about why you're closing it and whether you have any remaining balance — then process the closure on the spot.
If your account has a balance, you'll need to pay it off before or during the call. Some issuers will let you make a payment over the phone at that moment. If you have a $0 balance, the account closes when ready. Write down the date, time, and the name of the representative you spoke with, along with a confirmation number if they provide one.
You can also close an account by mail or through your online banking portal, but the phone call is usually fastest because you get confirmation right away and can ask questions if something is unclear.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card to close the account; have your account number ready and confirm you have a $0 balance or are prepared to pay any remaining amount.
- Closing a card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and may raise your credit utilization ratio on other cards.
- Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it with your records, since some issuers take weeks to update their systems.
- Do not close your oldest card or your card with the highest credit limit unless you have a specific reason, because both affect how long your credit history appears to be.
- After closure, continue to monitor your credit report to make sure the account shows as closed by you, not by the issuer.
Settle any remaining balance before you call
If your card has an outstanding balance, you must pay it in full before the account can close. Some issuers will not close an account with a balance at all; others will close it but continue to charge interest on what you owe. The safest approach is to bring the balance to $0 before you initiate closure.
Make a payment online through your banking portal, by phone during the closure call, or by mailing a check to the address on your statement. Wait for the payment to post — this usually takes three to five business days — then call to close. If you call before the payment clears, the representative may ask you to call back once it does.
Understand how closing a card affects your credit score
Closing a credit card account can lower your credit score, usually by 10 to 50 points, though the impact varies by person and by how much credit you have open elsewhere. The main reason is that your credit utilization ratio — the amount of credit you're using divided by the amount available to you — goes up when you remove available credit from the equation.
For example, if you have three cards with $5,000 limits each ($15,000 total available) and you're using $3,000 across them, your utilization is 20 percent. If you close one card with a $0 balance, your available credit drops to $10,000, and your utilization jumps to 30 percent, even though you haven't charged anything new.
The impact is temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep your other accounts in good standing and don't miss any payments. The longer-term concern is the age of your accounts: closing an old card can shorten the average age of your credit history, which also factors into your score.
Request written confirmation and monitor your credit report
After you close the account, ask the representative to send you written confirmation by mail or email. This confirmation should state the account number, the closure date, and that the account was closed at your request with a $0 balance. Keep this document for your records.
Even after closure, issuers sometimes take weeks to update their internal systems. Check your credit report 30 to 60 days after closure to confirm the account shows as closed. You can view your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official site run by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
If the account still shows as open or shows as closed by the issuer rather than by you, contact the bureau that reported it incorrectly and file a dispute. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and correct the record.
Think twice before closing your oldest or highest-limit card
Before you close an account, consider whether it's your oldest card or your card with the highest credit limit. Closing either one can have a larger impact on your score than closing a newer or lower-limit card.
Your oldest card contributes to the length of your credit history, which makes up about 15 percent of your credit score. If it's also your only old account, closing it can make your entire credit history appear younger. Similarly, a card with a high limit contributes more to your available credit than a low-limit card, so closing it raises your utilization ratio more sharply.
If you want to close a card but keep your score as stable as possible, close a newer card with a lower limit instead. If you must close your oldest or highest-limit card, do it when you're not planning to explore for new credit — a mortgage, auto loan, or new card — in the next few months, since your score will be temporarily lower.
Know the difference between closing and downgrading
Some card issuers offer the option to downgrade your account instead of closing it. Downgrading means switching to a different card from the same issuer — usually one with no annual fee or fewer benefits — while keeping the same account number and credit history.
Downgrading is gentler on your credit score than closing because you keep the available credit and the account age. If your card has an annual fee and you want to stop paying it, downgrading to a no-fee version of the same card is often a better choice than closing entirely. Ask the representative whether downgrading is an option before you request closure.
What to do if the issuer won't close your account
Rarely, an issuer will refuse to close an account or will ask you to wait. This sometimes happens if the account is very new, if there's a pending dispute or fraud claim, or if the issuer suspects the account is being closed to avoid paying a fee.
If the issuer refuses, ask why in writing and request the specific policy that prevents closure. If you believe the refusal is unfair, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints about credit card issuers and can compel them to respond.
In the meantime, you can stop using the card and let it sit inactive. After a period of inactivity — usually 12 months, though this varies by issuer — many companies will close dormant accounts on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing a credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, usually by 10 to 50 points, though the impact varies. Your score drops mainly because your available credit decreases, which raises your credit utilization ratio. The effect is temporary and typically recovers within a few months if you keep your other accounts in good standing.
Can I close a credit card with a balance on it?
Most issuers require you to pay the balance to $0 before closing. Some will close the account but continue charging interest on what you owe. Pay the full balance first to avoid ongoing interest charges and to make closure faster.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the card?
This depends on the issuer's policy. Some let you keep and redeem points after closure; others cancel them. Check your cardholder agreement or call customer service before you close to find out what happens to your points.
How long does it take to close a credit card account?
The account closes when ready when you call, but it may take two to six weeks for the closure to appear on your credit report and for the issuer to stop sending statements. Request written confirmation so you have proof of the closure date.
Should I close old credit cards I don't use anymore?
Not necessarily. Keeping old cards open — even if you don't use them — helps your credit score because they add to your available credit and keep your credit history longer. Close a card only if you have a specific reason, like a high annual fee or concerns about fraud.