How to Close a Spouse's Charge Account

Credit card debt can be a financial burden on a married couple who wish to decrease their debt load. If one spouse desires to close the other spouse's charge account, it is a difficult process without the consent of the card-holding spouse. Most banks honor only the primary cardholder's request for termination.

Instructions

1

Contact customer service at the bank or credit company by telephone. If you are the primary account holder, customer service will give you the requirements for removing your spouse and discuss the steps for closing the account. As long as your spouse is not a joint account holder and is only an authorized user, you can remove your spouse from the account. The customer service number is usually listed on your credit card and often begins with an 800 prefix.

2

Pay off the credit card balance. If you want to permanently close the account, it is advisable to pay off the entire balance before you do so. If you don't pay off the balance first, the credit card company might increase your interest rate on the outstanding balance. As the primary cardholder, you can remove your spouse from the account before you pay off the balance.

3

Cancel the credit card account. Contact the credit card company by telephone and request to cancel the account. If your balance is zero, you may be able to cancel the account using the automated system. Some credit card companies require a representative to formally discuss the account closing with the cardholder. You do not have to give the agency a reason for closing the account unless you choose to do so. If the account is a joint account, either owner can close the account to prevent future purchases even if the balance is not paid off.

4

Send a letter to the bank or credit card company verifying the account closure. Some companies require written confirmation to close the account. Even if a letter is not required, send one for your own benefit. Ask the the customer service agent for the address to which you should send the request for account closure. If you are the primary account holder, your spouse does not need to sign the letter. If it is a joint account, your spouse should also sign the cancellation letter.

5

Verify the account closure. Call the credit card company back after a few days to ensure that the account was officially closed. Four weeks after you call to request that the account be closed or send the letter, request a credit report from one of the credit bureaus. The credit report should verify that the account is closed. If not, contact your credit card company to determine why the account is still open.