To open a bank account in the United States, you need four things: a government-issued photo ID, a taxpayer identification number such as a Social Security Number, proof of your current address, and in most cases an opening deposit of roughly $25 to $100. These are the documents needed to open a bank account at nearly any U.S. bank or credit union, whether you apply online or walk into a branch. Federal anti-money-laundering rules set the baseline, so the core checklist doesn’t change much from one institution to the next.
A Government-Issued Photo ID
Every bank must run a Customer Identification Program before opening your account. Federal regulations require the bank to collect your full legal name, date of birth, and a residential or business street address, and a valid photo ID is how you prove them.1eCFR. 31 CFR 1020.220 – Customer Identification Program Requirements for Banks The two most common documents people bring are:
- A driver’s license or state ID card issued by your state’s motor vehicle department.
- A U.S. passport, which is useful if your license is expired or you don’t drive.
Most institutions also accept a military ID or a permanent resident card (green card). The document has to be government-issued, carry a photograph, and be unexpired. Bring the physical ID even for an online application, because the bank may ask you to upload photos of both sides or verify it in person later.
A Taxpayer Identification Number
The bank also needs a number that links you to the tax system. For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, that’s your Social Security Number.2Internal Revenue Service. Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) Banks report interest income and certain transactions to the IRS, so this step can’t be skipped.
If you aren’t eligible for an SSN, you can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number instead. The IRS issues ITINs to people who have a tax filing obligation but don’t qualify for a Social Security Number.3Internal Revenue Service. U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number Requirement You apply using IRS Form W-7, and the process takes several weeks, so plan ahead if you don’t already have one.
Proof of Your Address
Banks confirm where you live so they can reach you and satisfy federal know-your-customer rules. If your photo ID shows your current address, that often does the job, but many banks ask for a separate document. Widely accepted options include:
- A recent utility bill for electric, gas, water, or internet service.
- A signed lease agreement or mortgage statement.
- A bank or credit card statement from another institution.
- An insurance policy showing your home address.
Most banks want these documents to be recent. Anything older than 90 days may get flagged. The address on the document also needs to match what you put on the application exactly, down to apartment numbers and street suffixes. A mismatch that looks trivial to you can trigger a manual review and hold up your account.
If you don’t have a traditional permanent address, you still have options. Some banks accept a shelter address, a care-of address at a community organization, or a P.O. box. Policies vary, so call ahead and ask what the branch will accept before you go.
An Opening Deposit
Most banks require you to fund the account when you open it. For a standard checking or savings account, the initial deposit is usually $25 to $100.4Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Checklist for Opening a Bank or Credit Union Account Premium accounts, high-yield savings products, and certificates of deposit often require more, sometimes $500 or higher.
Many online-only banks have dropped the minimum deposit entirely. Capital One, Discover, Chime, and SoFi let you open a checking account with zero dollars, which is worth knowing if you’re starting from scratch. You can fund the account later through direct deposit or a transfer from another bank.
In a branch, you can deposit cash or a check. Online, you’ll typically link an existing bank account and initiate an electronic transfer using your current routing and account numbers. The transfer usually clears in one to three business days.
If You Don’t Have an SSN or a U.S. Driver’s License
Missing a Social Security Number or a state driver’s license doesn’t automatically shut you out of the banking system. Federal rules let banks accept alternative identification from non-U.S. persons, including a passport number with country of issuance, an alien identification card number, or the number from another government-issued document showing nationality or residence and carrying a photograph.1eCFR. 31 CFR 1020.220 – Customer Identification Program Requirements for Banks
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau confirms that some banks and credit unions will accept a passport number, alien identification card number, or other government-issued ID number in place of an SSN.5Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Can I Get a Checking Account Without a Social Security Number or Driver’s License Bank of America, Chase, and Citibank accept an ITIN at a branch, though their online systems often can’t process applications without an SSN. Expect to open the account in person. A foreign passport as your primary photo ID, paired with an ITIN or proof that you’ve applied for one, gives you the best chance of approval.
Opening an Account for a Child or with a Joint Owner
Minors generally can’t open a bank account on their own. Federal guidance treats the parent or guardian as the actual customer, so the adult is the one who provides a name, date of birth, address, and taxpayer identification number to satisfy the bank’s identification program.6Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Guidance to Encourage Youth Savings and Address FAQs The child’s SSN is also typically collected for tax reporting on any interest earned. In practice, bring your own ID and SSN plus the child’s SSN and birth certificate, and the bank will open a custodial or joint account. Some banks let teenagers open accounts independently starting at age 16, but this varies.
Joint accounts put each co-owner through the same verification. Both people need to provide photo ID, an SSN or ITIN, and proof of address, and each co-owner signs the account’s signature card.7FDIC. Financial Institution Employee’s Guide to Deposit Insurance – Joint Accounts
If Your Application Is Denied
Banks don’t only check your ID. Most also pull a report from ChexSystems, a consumer reporting agency that tracks banking history. Accounts closed involuntarily, unpaid negative balances, or suspected fraud at a previous bank can all show up in your file and lead to a denial.
When a bank turns down your application based on a consumer report, federal law requires the bank to notify you, tell you which reporting agency supplied the information, and inform you of your right to get a free copy of that report and dispute any inaccuracies.8Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 15 USC 1681m – Requirements on Users of Consumer Reports This is how most people first learn about ChexSystems.
If your report contains errors, you can dispute them directly. ChexSystems must complete its investigation within 30 days (21 days for Maine residents), and the deadline can extend by 15 days if you submit additional documentation while the review is pending.9ChexSystems. Dispute You can file online through the consumer portal, by phone at 800-428-9623, or by mail.
Even if the negative items are accurate, you still have options. Capital One, Chime, Wells Fargo, and Fifth Third are among the institutions that offer second-chance checking accounts for people with troubled banking histories. These accounts may carry higher fees or fewer features, but they give you a route back into the banking system and a chance to rebuild your record.