Close your card by calling the issuer, paying the balance, and requesting closure in writing

To close a credit card, you call the card issuer's customer service number (on the back of your card), pay off any remaining balance, and ask them to close the account. They will confirm the closure and may ask why you're leaving. After you hang up, send a written request by mail or through your online account to create a record. The card issuer will send you a confirmation letter within a few weeks.

The tricky part is not the process itself—it's understanding what happens to your credit after you close it. Closing a card can lower your credit score because it reduces the total credit available to you, which affects how lenders see your borrowing habits. This matters most if you're planning to borrow money soon.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the card issuer, confirm your balance is zero, and request closure by phone, then follow up in writing.
  • Closing a card reduces your available credit and can lower your credit score, even if you pay on time.
  • The impact is smaller if you have other cards open or if the closed card had a low credit limit.
  • Wait to close a card until after a major purchase or loan process, since the score dip can affect borrowing rates.
  • Keep the confirmation letter and monitor your credit report to verify the account shows as closed.

Why your credit score might drop when you close a card

Your credit score is built partly on your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of your total available credit that you're actually using. If you have $5,000 in available credit across all your cards and you're using $1,000, your utilization is 20 percent. Closing a card removes available credit from that equation.

Say you have two cards: Card A with a $3,000 limit and Card B with a $2,000 limit. You owe $500 on Card A and nothing on Card B. Your total available credit is $5,000, and you're using $500, so your utilization is 10 percent. If you close Card B, your available credit drops to $3,000, and suddenly you're using $500 of $3,000—a 17 percent utilization. That change alone can lower your score by a few points.

The impact is usually temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep paying other cards on time. But if you're planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or another credit product in the next few months, closing a card right before that process could cost you a better interest rate.

When closing a card makes sense

Close a card if you're paying an annual fee you don't use, if the card tempts you to overspend, or if you straightforward want fewer accounts to manage. You don't need to keep every card open just to protect your score—the damage from closing one card is usually small, especially if you have other accounts in good standing.

Closing a card also makes sense if the issuer is closing it for you due to inactivity. Some issuers close accounts that haven't been used in 12 months or longer. If you see a notice that your account will close, you can close it yourself on your own timeline instead of waiting.

If the card has a high interest rate and you're tempted to carry a balance, closing it removes that temptation. A lower score is a smaller problem than debt that costs you money in interest.

Steps to close your card

Step 1: Pay off the balance. Before you call, make sure you've paid everything you owe. If you have a balance, the issuer won't close the account until it's paid. Set up a final payment online or by phone if needed.

Step 2: Call customer service. Use the number on the back of your card. Tell the representative you want to close the account. They may ask why, offer you a lower interest rate to stay, or ask if there's anything they can do. You can say no to all of it. Ask them to confirm the account is closed and request a confirmation number.

Step 3: Send a written request. After the call, send a letter or use your online account to request closure in writing. Include your account number, the date, and a straightforward statement: "I request that you close this account." Keep a copy for your records. This creates a paper trail if there's ever a dispute.

Step 4: Wait for confirmation. The issuer will mail you a letter confirming the closure within two to four weeks. Keep this letter with your financial records.

Step 5: Check your credit report. About 30 days after closure, check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com (the free site run by the three major credit bureaus). The account should show as "closed by consumer" or "closed at consumer's request." If it shows anything else, contact the issuer to correct it.

What happens to the card after you close it

Once closed, you can't use the card to make new purchases. If you have automatic payments set up on that card, you'll need to move them to another card or payment method before closure. Check your subscriptions, utilities, and other recurring charges.

The card issuer will destroy your card or you can cut it up yourself. The account will stay on your credit report for about 10 years, even after it's closed. This is normal and actually helps your score—a long history of accounts in good standing is good for your credit.

If you owe money after closure (for example, if a charge posts after you close the account), the issuer will contact you for payment. This is rare, but it's why keeping the confirmation letter matters.

Alternatives to closing a card

If you're worried about your credit score, you don't have to close the card. You can straightforward stop using it and leave it open. This keeps your available credit high and your utilization low, which helps your score. The only downside is paying an annual fee if the card has one.

If the card has an annual fee, call and ask if the issuer will waive it or downgrade you to a no-fee version of the same card. Many issuers will do this to keep your account open. If they won't, then closing makes more sense than paying a fee for a card you don't use.

Another option is to keep the card open but use it for one small recurring charge—a streaming service or gas station, for example. This keeps the account active and prevents the issuer from closing it for inactivity, while your utilization stays low.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing a credit card hurt my credit score?

It may lower your score temporarily because it reduces your available credit, but the impact is usually small—a few points—and temporary. The damage is smaller if you have other cards open or if the closed card had a low limit. Your score typically recovers within a few months.

Should I close old cards or new cards first?

If you must close a card, close a newer one rather than an old one. The length of your credit history matters for your score, so closing an old account removes years of positive history. Closing a newer card has less impact.

What if the card issuer won't close my account?

Issuers are required to close accounts when you request it. If they refuse or delay, follow up in writing and reference the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Keep copies of all correspondence. If the problem continues, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Can I reopen a closed credit card?

Sometimes, but not always. Some issuers will reopen an account within a short window (usually 30 to 90 days) if you call and ask. After that, the account is closed permanently and you'd need to explore for a new card. There's no may provide they'll approve you.

Do I need to cut up the card before closing it?

You can, but it's not required. The account is closed whether the physical card is destroyed or not. If you want to be safe, cut it up or shred it so no one can try to use it. The issuer will also destroy their copy of the card.