To open a bank account in the United States, you generally need a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number or another accepted tax-identification number, a physical address, contact information and money for any required opening deposit. You must also meet the bank’s age and eligibility requirements.
Exact requirements vary among banks, credit unions and account types. Checking the institution’s application page before applying can prevent delays.
Bank Account Opening Checklist
Prepare the following information and documents:
- Your full legal name
- Date of birth
- Residential address
- Phone number and email address
- Government-issued photo identification
- Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Proof of address when requested
- Money for the opening deposit
- A parent, guardian or joint owner if required
- Employment or income information if the application requests it
Online banks may ask you to photograph your identification, take a selfie or complete another electronic identity check.
What Identification Do You Need?
Most banks request at least one valid government-issued photo ID. Commonly accepted documents include:
- Driver’s license
- State identification card
- U.S. passport
- Military identification
- Permanent resident card
- Foreign passport, where accepted
- Consular identification card, where accepted
The name on the application should match the name on the identification document. If you recently changed your name, the bank may request a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order or updated ID.
Some institutions require two forms of identification. The second document might be a Social Security card, birth certificate, employee ID or another document accepted under the bank’s policy.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s account-opening guidance recommends checking the bank’s specific document list before visiting a branch or starting an online application.
Do You Need a Social Security Number?
Banks must collect identifying information that allows them to verify who is opening an account. For most U.S. citizens and permanent residents, the identification number used is a Social Security number.
Some institutions accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number instead. An ITIN is issued by the Internal Revenue Service to certain people who need a U.S. taxpayer-identification number but are not eligible for an SSN.
Non-U.S. customers may be able to provide an ITIN, foreign passport number, alien-identification number or another government-issued number. Acceptance policies differ, so contact the institution before applying.
Never send your SSN or ITIN through an unsolicited email, text message or social-media account. Enter it only through the bank’s official application system or provide it directly to an authorized employee.
Is Proof of Address Required?
A bank will normally ask for your residential address. It may verify that information electronically, or it may request a document displaying your name and current address.
Possible proof-of-address documents include:
- Utility bill
- Lease agreement
- Mortgage statement
- Government correspondence
- Insurance statement
- Pay stub
- Bank or credit-card statement from another institution
The document may need to have been issued recently. A post-office box can usually serve as a mailing address, but the bank may still require a physical residential address for identity-verification purposes.
Students, military personnel, people living with relatives and applicants without conventional housing should ask what alternative address documentation the institution accepts.
How Much Money Do You Need to Open an Account?
Some checking and savings accounts have no minimum opening deposit. Others require $25, $50, $100 or another amount.
The FDIC’s GetBanked resource notes that an account may be available with an opening deposit as low as $25. However, the required amount is determined by the individual institution.
You may be able to fund the new account using:
- Cash at a branch
- A check
- A debit card
- An electronic transfer from another account
- Direct deposit
- A linked payment account
The opening deposit is different from a minimum balance requirement. A bank might allow you to open an account with $25 but require a higher ongoing balance to avoid a monthly fee.
Can You Open a Bank Account Online?
Many banks allow customers to complete the entire application through a website or mobile app. You generally need the same personal information required at a branch.
An online application may ask you to:
- Enter your legal name, address and date of birth.
- Provide your SSN or ITIN.
- Upload or photograph your identification.
- Complete a selfie or identity-verification check.
- Link another account or card for the initial deposit.
- Review and electronically sign the account agreement.
The application can be delayed if your address, phone number or identity information cannot be matched electronically. In that situation, the bank may request additional documents or direct you to a branch.
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How Old Must You Be?
You generally need to be at least 18 to open an individual bank account, although state law and institutional policies can affect the requirement.
Children and teenagers can often open youth, student or custodial accounts with a parent, guardian or another eligible adult. The adult may need to provide identification, a tax number and contact information and may become a joint owner or custodian.
Joint ownership gives the adult legal access to the account, so both applicants should understand the account agreement before signing.
Can a Non-U.S. Citizen Open an Account?
Citizenship is not always required. Many banks and credit unions accept applications from permanent residents, visa holders and other noncitizens.
A noncitizen may be asked for:
- Foreign passport
- Permanent resident card
- Visa or immigration document
- ITIN
- Consular identification
- Proof of a U.S. address
- Foreign address information
Not every institution accepts the same combination of documents. The FDIC advises applicants without standard U.S. identification to ask banks which foreign passports, consular IDs or taxpayer numbers they recognize.
Does Opening an Account Require a Credit Check?
A standard checking or savings account usually does not require the same credit approval used for a loan or credit card.
However, a bank may review a deposit-account consumer report. Such reports can contain information about unpaid negative balances, involuntary account closures, suspected fraud or repeated overdrafts at previous institutions.
A past banking problem does not guarantee rejection. Some institutions offer second-chance accounts or accounts designed without overdraft features. If an application is declined because of information in a consumer report, the bank should provide information about the reporting company and the applicant’s rights.
What Should You Check Before Opening the Account?
Meeting the application requirements does not mean the account is a good choice. Review:
- Monthly maintenance fees
- Minimum balance rules
- Overdraft and nonsufficient-funds policies
- ATM access and out-of-network fees
- Interest rate or annual percentage yield
- Mobile-deposit availability
- Transfer limits
- Branch and customer-service access
- Requirements for earning a bonus
- Deposit-insurance coverage
Confirm that a bank is FDIC-insured or that a federal credit union is insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Deposit insurance has coverage limits and ownership rules; it should not be confused with protection against investment losses, scams or authorized payments.
The CFPB’s checking-account overview also recommends comparing fees and account features before choosing an institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open an account without money?
Possibly. Some institutions offer accounts with no minimum opening deposit. Others require an initial deposit before the account becomes active.
Can I open an account without a driver’s license?
Yes, if the bank accepts another form of identification, such as a passport, state ID, military ID, resident card or approved foreign document.
Do I need proof of employment?
Not always. A bank may ask about employment, occupation or source of funds as part of its identity and compliance procedures, but regular employment is not a universal requirement for a basic deposit account.
How long does opening a bank account take?
A straightforward application may take several minutes. It can take longer when the bank needs additional identity or address verification.
What do I need for a joint account?
Each joint owner generally needs to provide identification, a tax-identification number, an address and other required personal information. Every owner should understand that joint-account holders may have full access to the money.
