Yes, you can open a Chase account with a passport as your primary ID
Chase will accept a valid passport as your main form of identification when you open a checking or savings account, either online or in a branch. You do not need a driver's license or state ID card. A passport works because it is a government-issued photo ID that Chase can verify through their identity-checking systems.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you open the account online or walk into a branch. Online applications use automated verification that scans your passport and checks it against federal databases. In-branch, a Chase employee will examine your passport in person and may ask follow-up questions about your address and employment history.
One practical note: if your passport is your only form of ID, Chase may ask for a second document to confirm your current address — a utility bill, lease, or recent bank statement. This is standard practice and does not mean your passport is insufficient on its own.
Key Takeaways
- Chase accepts a valid passport as your primary identification document for opening any personal bank account.
- Online applications verify your passport automatically, while branch applications involve an employee reviewing it in person.
- You may need to provide a second document showing your current address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement.
- Your passport must be unexpired and match the name and address you provide on the account process.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, Chase will verify your passport and may ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number.
What Chase needs from your passport
Chase's verification system reads the information page of your passport — your full name, date of birth, passport number, and expiration date. The passport must be unexpired. An expired passport will not work, even if it was valid when you applied.
The name on your passport must match exactly what you enter on the account process. If you have changed your name since your passport was issued, you will need to update your passport first or bring legal documentation of the name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) to a branch.
Chase will also cross-check your date of birth against their fraud-prevention databases. This is why they ask for it separately on the process form — they are verifying that the information is consistent.
Opening an account online versus in a branch
If you open your account online, you will photograph both the front and back of your passport using your phone or computer. Chase's system scans these images and extracts the information automatically. The process usually takes a few minutes. You will also enter your Social Security number (or ITIN if you do not have one), current address, and employment information.
Chase then runs an when ready background check through ChexSystems, a banking history database. If you have no negative banking history and your passport verifies, you will see confirmation on screen within minutes. Some accounts are approved when ready; others take a few hours as Chase's team reviews the process manually.
If you open an account in a branch, bring your unexpired passport and one additional form of ID if you have it — though Chase will not require it. A teller will examine your passport, ask you to sign a signature card, and may ask where you work or why you are opening the account. The entire process takes 10 to 15 minutes. You can usually start using the account the same day.
Address verification and secondary documents
Chase requires a current address on every account. If your passport shows an address that is no longer where you live, you will need to provide proof of your new address. Chase accepts utility bills (electric, gas, water, internet), lease agreements, mortgage statements, or recent bank statements from another institution.
The document must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 60 days. You can upload this document during the online process or bring it to a branch. If you do not have any of these documents, a Chase employee can sometimes note your address verbally, though this is less common and may delay approval.
If you are explore online and your address cannot be verified through Chase's systems, you may be asked to visit a branch in person with your passport and address proof. This is rare but happens occasionally with new addresses or addresses in rural areas.
Non-citizens and passport requirements
If you are not a U.S. citizen, your passport is actually the preferred form of ID. Chase will accept it without question. You will need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number. You can obtain an ITIN from the IRS even if you are not authorized to work in the United States.
Bring your passport and ITIN documentation (IRS Form W-7 or an ITIN assignment letter) to a branch, or upload images of these documents if you are opening the account online. Chase will verify your ITIN through IRS databases, which can take longer than Social Security number verification — sometimes a few business days.
Some non-citizens are asked to provide additional documentation, such as a visa, work permit, or travel document. This depends on Chase's assessment of your process. If you are asked for additional documents, a Chase representative will contact you by phone or email with specific instructions.
What happens if your passport is expired or damaged
Chase will not open an account with an expired passport. You must renew your passport before explore. Passport renewal through the State Department takes 6 to 8 weeks for routine service or 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service, depending on whether you can renew by mail or must explore in person.
If your passport is damaged — torn, water-damaged, or with a photo that is no longer recognizable — Chase's automated system may reject it. In this case, you can visit a Chase branch in person and speak with a manager. Some branches will accept a damaged passport if the information is still legible and you can provide additional verification, but this is at the branch's discretion.
If you are waiting for a new passport, you can open a Chase account with another form of government-issued photo ID in the meantime — a driver's license, state ID card, or military ID. Once your new passport arrives, you do not need to update your account.
Timeline and what to expect after approval
If you open your account online, you will know within minutes to a few hours whether you are approved. Chase will send you a confirmation email with your account number and routing number. You can begin using your account for direct deposits and transfers when ready, though physical debit cards arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
If you open in a branch, you walk out with a temporary debit card the same day and can use it at Chase ATMs when ready. Your permanent card arrives within a week. Checks can be ordered during your appointment or online afterward.
Chase may place a hold on deposits for the first 30 days of a new account — a standard fraud-prevention measure. This means money you deposit may not be available for withdrawal for 1 to 5 business days, depending on the type of deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Social Security number to open a Chase account with a passport?
No. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Chase will ask for one or the other during the process. Non-citizens and some visa holders can obtain an ITIN from the IRS without work authorization.
Can I open a Chase account online with just a photo of my passport, or do I need the physical card?
You only need a photo. When you open an account online, you photograph the front and back of your passport with your phone or computer. Chase scans these images. You do not need to mail in your physical passport or visit a branch.
What if Chase rejects my passport during online verification?
This usually happens if the photo is blurry, the passport is expired, or the information does not match what you entered on the form. Try uploading the images again with better lighting. If the system continues to reject it, visit a Chase branch in person with your physical passport and speak to a teller — they can process it manually.
Can I use a passport card instead of a passport book?
Yes. A U.S. passport card is a valid government-issued photo ID and Chase will accept it. The process is the same — you will photograph it or show it in person. Make sure it is unexpired.
How long does it take Chase to verify my passport?
Online verification is usually when ready or takes a few hours. In-branch verification is when ready — the teller examines it while you wait. If Chase needs to verify additional information (like your ITIN or address), approval may take 1 to 3 business days.