What Banks Accept ITIN Numbers in the US: Documents and Steps

Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Capital One, PNC, and U.S. Bank all accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number in place of a Social Security Number when you open a checking or savings account. An ITIN is a nine-digit number beginning with “9” that the IRS issues to people who have a federal tax filing requirement but are not eligible for an SSN.¹ Federal customer identification rules specifically list the ITIN as an acceptable taxpayer identification number for new accounts, so you can bank in the United States without an SSN.²

National Banks That Accept an ITIN

Each of the following banks confirms on its own website that an ITIN works for account opening. Policies and account names change, so call the branch you plan to visit before you go.

Bank of America accepts an ITIN from U.S. visa holders and other residents who apply in person at a financial center. You provide both a foreign and a local address along with the ITIN.³
Chase lists the ITIN as accepted identification for a checking account and says non-residents can use it as a substitute for an SSN on the application.⁴
Wells Fargo takes an ITIN for its Clear Access Banking checking account, online or at a branch.⁵
Capital One accepts an ITIN during the online application process for its bank accounts.⁶
PNC Bank accepts an ITIN for its Simple Checking account, opened online or at a branch, together with a valid government-issued photo ID.⁷
U.S. Bank accepts an ITIN for most accounts, including savings and money market accounts, when you visit a branch.⁸

These accounts generally come with a debit card, mobile banking, and access to the bank’s ATM network. Basic checking monthly fees run from $0 to about $15, with most banks waiving the fee for a minimum balance or direct deposit. Opening deposits usually fall between $25 and $100.

Corporate policy is one thing; the person at the desk is another. If a branch employee tells you an ITIN is not acceptable, ask for a manager or try another branch. Printing the page from the bank’s own site that confirms ITIN acceptance tends to resolve things quickly.

Credit Unions and Regional Banks

Local credit unions and smaller regional banks often serve immigrant communities directly. Self-Help Federal Credit Union, for example, uses ITINs for member identification and account access.⁹ These institutions can offer lower minimum balances, lower fees, and staff who speak the languages their members speak.

Credit union membership rules vary. Some are open to anyone living or working in a given area; others are tied to a particular employer or group. Call ahead to confirm both ITIN acceptance and eligibility for membership.

Documents You Need

Federal law requires banks to verify your name, date of birth, address, and taxpayer identification number before opening an account.² Bring the following:

Your ITIN assignment notice (IRS Notice CP565). This is the letter the IRS mailed when it issued your ITIN. Bring the original; some banks will not accept a photocopy.¹⁰
A government-issued photo ID. A valid, unexpired foreign passport is the most widely accepted. Many banks also take a consular identification card such as the Matrícula Consular issued by Mexican consulates.⁸
A secondary ID if the bank asks for one. A foreign driver’s license, national identity card, or U.S. state-issued ID works. In cities with municipal ID programs, those cards are sometimes accepted as secondary ID.
Proof of a U.S. address. A recent utility bill, signed lease, or piece of government mail. The address should match what you put on the application.

One rule to know before you choose an account: to open an interest-bearing account, including most savings accounts, you need either an SSN or an ITIN. Without one of those numbers, you may only qualify for a non-interest checking account.¹¹

How to Open the Account

Plan to go in person. Most online account-opening systems are built around Social Security Numbers and may not process an ITIN cleanly. Wells Fargo and Capital One say their online applications accept ITINs, but a scheduled branch appointment is the surer route.⁵

At the branch, a banker reviews your documents, verifies your Notice CP565, and checks your identification against the information on the application. You sign the account agreement and fee disclosures, then make your opening deposit. A debit card arrives by mail in roughly seven to ten business days, and you can register for online and mobile banking once the account is active.

If you have a spouse or partner with an SSN, you can generally open a joint account together, each of you supplying your own taxpayer identification number. Joint account policies vary, so confirm when you book the appointment.

If You’re Turned Down

A bank can deny an application for reasons that have nothing to do with your immigration status, such as negative items in a checking account history report. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends a few steps:¹²

Ask which reporting company the bank used and request a free copy of your report. Dispute any errors.
Check your credit reports, since some banks pull them when deciding on a checking account.
Ask about second-chance accounts. These have fewer features but fewer approval barriers, and some banks will open one once you clear old unpaid fees from a prior account elsewhere.

If the problem was simply that the person at the desk did not know ITINs are accepted, try another branch of the same bank or try a credit union with staff experienced in ITIN accounts.

Keep Your ITIN Current

An expired ITIN can block new accounts and create problems with existing ones. Your ITIN expires if you do not use it on a federal tax return for three consecutive tax years, and the expiration takes effect on December 31 of the third year.¹³

To renew, submit a new Form W-7 to the IRS with the required identification. A valid passport is the only single document that proves both identity and foreign status; otherwise, you submit a combination of documents.¹⁴ You can mail originals, send certified copies from the issuing agency, or have the documents verified in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or by an authorized acceptance agent.

If you later become eligible for a Social Security Number, tell the IRS so it can combine your records under the new SSN, and stop using the ITIN for tax purposes.¹⁵ Give your bank the new number as well, since it needs it for tax reporting on any interest your accounts earn.

Business Accounts

Your ITIN alone usually will not open a business checking account. Most banks require an Employer Identification Number for the business, and ITIN holders can apply for an EIN from the IRS.¹ When you apply at the bank, you provide the EIN for the business and your personal ITIN as the responsible individual. Citibank, for example, lists an SSN or ITIN as acceptable identification for individuals tied to a small business account.¹⁶ Expect to apply in person with your Notice CP565, your EIN confirmation letter, and photo identification.

1
Internal Revenue Service. Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN)
2
eCFR. 31 CFR 1020.220 – Customer Identification Program
3
Bank of America. Applying for Bank Accounts FAQs
4
Chase. How to Open a U.S. Bank Account for Non-Residents
5
Wells Fargo. What You’ll Need to Open a Clear Access Banking Account
6
Capital One. Opening a Bank Account Online
7
PNC Bank. International Student Banking and Finance Services
8
U.S. Bank. Matricula Consular Mexicana – Open an Account
9
Self-Help Federal Credit Union. Bank from Anywhere
10
Internal Revenue Service. How to Apply for an ITIN
11
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Checklist for Opening a Bank or Credit Union Account
12
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Why Was I Denied a Checking Account?
13
Internal Revenue Service. How to Renew an ITIN
14
Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Form W-7
15
Internal Revenue Service. Additional ITIN Information
16
Citibank. Opening a Business Bank Account – What to Bring