To get a bank letter, contact your bank online, by phone, or in person, verify your identity, and tell the banker what the letter needs to say and who it’s for. In-person requests at a branch are usually the fastest; online and phone requests take longer but save a trip. Before you make the request, get the exact requirements from whoever asked you for the letter, because a bank letter that doesn’t say what the recipient needs is a wasted errand.
Pick a Request Method
Most banks offer at least two or three channels. The right one depends on how quickly you need the letter and whether the request is simple or custom.
In Person at a Branch
Walking into a branch is the most reliable option when you’re on a deadline or need a physical signed and stamped original. Bring your government-issued photo ID, know which account the letter should reference, and have any specific language requirements from the requesting party on hand. The banker can review your request, print the letter, and sign it during your visit, so you often leave with the finished document.
By Phone
Call the number on the back of your debit card or on your bank’s website. After identity verification, tell the representative what type of letter you need and what details to include. Phone requests work well if you want help deciding which letter type fits your situation, but they generally take longer to process than an in-person visit.
Online or Through a Third-Party Portal
Some banks handle verification letters through their own online banking platform; others route the process through a vendor. Chase, for example, directs customers to a third-party portal at bankvod.com run by Billing Solutions, Inc., where you enroll and select the type of letter you need.1Chase. Consumer Verification Requests Not every bank offers a self-service digital option, so check your bank’s website or call to find out what’s available.
Through a portal, you typically select the account, choose the letter type, and specify what details to include. A confirmation screen or email tells you the request has been queued.
What to Have Ready Before You Ask
Whichever method you choose, you’ll need to verify your identity. Banks are required to run a Customer Identification Program under federal regulation, which means verifying customers using documents like an unexpired driver’s license or passport.2eCFR. 31 CFR 1020.220 – Customer Identification Program Requirements for Banks For an existing customer requesting a letter, that means having a valid government-issued photo ID with you or available for the online verification step.
Have the rest of this ready before you start:
- The full account number for the account the letter should reference.
- The recipient’s specific requirements: any language, data points, or format they need the letter to include.
- Your delivery preference: printed original, digital copy, mailed hard copy, or some combination.
- The recipient’s name and, if the letter should be addressed to them directly, their address.
If you’re not sure what the recipient wants, call them and ask before you contact your bank. Showing up without clear instructions is the fastest way to end up making multiple trips.
Standard or Custom Letter
A standard bank letter uses the institution’s fixed template and covers the basics: your name, a masked account number, the balance, and whether the account is in good standing. This works for most purposes.
A custom letter includes specific language or data points the receiving party has requested. If a foreign consulate wants your average balance over six months in a particular format, or a commercial landlord wants the letter to confirm a minimum balance threshold, you need a custom version. Chase, for instance, lets customers include a two-month, six-month, or twelve-month average balance, the interest rate, the routing number, and the number of nonsufficient-funds incidents over the past year.1Chase. Consumer Verification Requests Averages are generally calculated by adding each day’s closing balance over the period and dividing by the number of days.
Whatever the content, the letter should be printed on official bank letterhead, carry a signature from a bank officer, and show the branch address and a direct phone number for the signing officer so the recipient can call to confirm it’s legitimate. Without those elements, the recipient may reject it.
Processing Time and Fees
Turnaround depends on the method. An in-person branch visit can often produce a signed letter while you wait. Chase’s online portal, by comparison, estimates five to ten business days from the date of receipt.1Chase. Consumer Verification Requests Other banks may be faster or slower, so ask about processing time when you submit the request.
Fees typically range from nothing to about $20, depending on the bank and the complexity of the letter. Some banks waive the fee for premium account holders. Ask upfront before the request is processed. Expedited delivery or mailing usually adds to the cost.
Check the Letter Before You Send It
Once you receive it, read every line. Check your name, the account number, the balance, and the date. If anything is wrong, contact the bank immediately for a corrected version. A letter with an error in your name or balance is worse than no letter at all, because it raises questions about the document’s legitimacy.
Pay attention to the date, too. Bank letters don’t carry a universal expiration, but most recipients want a letter no more than 30 days old, and some visa applications or real estate transactions want something even more recent. Request the letter close to when you’ll actually submit it, and if your transaction gets delayed, plan to go back for a fresh one.
If the Letter Is Going Abroad
A bank letter headed for use in another country often needs authentication beyond the bank officer’s signature.
Apostille or Authentication Certificate
Countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Convention accept an apostille, a standardized stamp confirming the document is authentic. Countries outside the Hague Convention require a separate authentication certificate. Either way, you request it through the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications by submitting Form DS-4194 with your document.3U.S. Department of State. Office of Authentications
The fee is $20 per document. Mailed requests take five or more weeks to process. Walk-in submissions at the State Department office take about seven business days, with a limit of 15 documents per person per day. Same-day processing is reserved for life-or-death emergencies involving immediate family members abroad.4U.S. Department of State. Requesting Authentication Services Mailed requests must be paid by check or money order; walk-ins accept credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payment but not cash.
Translation
If the receiving country or institution requires the letter in another language, you’ll need a certified translation. For U.S. government purposes such as immigration filings, the translation must include a signed statement from the translator certifying that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent in both languages. In the United States, any individual can certify a translation; there’s no requirement that the translator hold a specific credential.
Notarization
Some foreign institutions require notarization in addition to or instead of an apostille. If you use a notary outside the United States, that notary’s authority must be certified by a U.S. diplomatic or consular official, including the official’s seal or stamp.5TreasuryDirect. Signature Certification This extra step adds time, so start the process well before your deadline.
If It’s for a Mortgage, You May Not Need to Request One
If you’re applying for a mortgage, your lender may handle bank verification for you using Fannie Mae’s Request for Verification of Deposit (Form 1006). The lender fills out the first section, you sign an authorization, and the lender sends the form directly to your bank, which completes it and returns it to the lender without passing through your hands.6Fannie Mae. Verification of Deposits and Assets If your lender uses this process, you don’t need to separately request a bank letter for the loan itself. You may still need a separate proof of funds letter if a seller’s agent asks for one before the lender’s verification is complete.