Bring these documents to open a Chase checking account in person

You need a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number. Chase will also ask for your initial deposit — the amount varies by account type, but many checking accounts have no minimum. If you're opening online instead of in a branch, you'll upload images of your ID and address proof rather than showing originals.

The specific documents matter because Chase uses them to verify your identity and comply with federal anti-money-laundering rules. Bringing the wrong thing wastes a trip. The sections below list exactly what counts for each requirement.

Key Takeaways

  • A valid government-issued photo ID is required — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work, but a school ID or work badge does not.
  • Proof of your current address must be a recent document in your name, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
  • You must provide your Social Security number; Chase will not open an account without it.
  • Your initial deposit can be made by debit card, wire transfer, or check, depending on whether you're opening in person or online.
  • If you don't have a Social Security number, you may be able to open an account with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), but call your local branch first to confirm.

Government-issued photo ID: what counts

Chase accepts a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. The ID must not be expired, though some branches may accept an ID that expired within the last year — call ahead if yours is close. The name on your ID must match the name you're using to open the account.

A school ID, work badge, military dependent card, or tribal ID will not work on its own, even if it has your photo. If that's your only ID, bring it along with a second form of identification — a Social Security card, birth certificate, or utility bill in your name — and ask the banker whether the combination is acceptable.

Proof of address: documents that work

Chase needs a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your current address and your name. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), lease agreement, mortgage statement, or recent bank statement all work. A cell phone bill counts only if it shows your service address, not just a billing address.

If you've recently moved and don't yet have a document in your new name at your new address, bring what you have and explain the situation to the banker. Some branches will accept a lease or move-in confirmation letter from your landlord. A piece of mail from Chase or another bank showing your new address also works if it arrived within the last 60 days.

Social Security number and tax ID

You must provide your Social Security number. Chase will not open a checking account without it — this is a federal requirement, not a Chase policy. Bring your Social Security card if you have it, though the banker will also accept the number if you know it by heart.

If you don't have a Social Security number but have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), call your local Chase branch before you go in. Some branches can open accounts with an ITIN, but not all, and the process may take longer. You'll need your ITIN letter from the IRS and your passport or other government ID.

Initial deposit and payment method

Chase does not charge a minimum opening deposit for most checking accounts, but you do need to fund the account when you open it. In person, you can deposit cash, a check, or use a debit card. Online, you can transfer money from another bank account, deposit a check by photo, or use a debit card.

If you're depositing a check, bring the check itself and be ready to sign the back. If you're transferring from another bank, have that account number and routing number ready. The deposit doesn't have to be large — even $25 will open the account — but the account must have money in it before the banker can finalize the setup.

Opening online versus in person

If you open online, you'll upload photos of your ID and address proof instead of showing originals. The photos must be clear and show the entire document. Chase will also ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history, or by confirming recent transactions on accounts in your name.

In-person opening is faster if you have all your documents ready — it usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. Online opening can take a few hours to a few days for Chase to verify your information, though you can often start using your account number and routing number before the verification is complete. If Chase cannot verify your identity online, they'll ask you to visit a branch with your original documents.

What to do if you're missing a document

Call your local Chase branch before you go in. Explain what you have and what you're missing, and ask whether the banker can work with you. For example, if your address proof is older than 60 days, some branches will accept it if you bring a second document showing your current address, even if that second document doesn't have your name on it.

If you don't have a government-issued photo ID, ask whether your branch will accept a combination of other documents. If you don't have a Social Security number or ITIN, call before visiting — this is the one requirement that cannot be worked around, and you need to know whether your branch can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase checking account without a Social Security number?

Not with a standard checking account. If you have an ITIN, call your local branch first — some can open accounts with an ITIN, but availability varies by location. You'll need your ITIN letter from the IRS and a government-issued photo ID.

What if my address proof is older than 60 days?

Bring it anyway, along with a second document showing your current address — a recent bank statement, a lease, or even a piece of mail from Chase. Ask the banker whether they can use the combination. Some branches are flexible if you're moving or waiting for new bills to arrive.

Can I open an account with an expired ID?

It depends on how recently it expired. Most branches will accept an ID that expired within the last year, but call ahead to confirm. If it expired longer ago, bring a second form of ID — a passport, birth certificate, or utility bill — and ask whether the banker can use both.

Do I need to bring anything else?

No. You need only your ID, address proof, Social Security number, and initial deposit. You don't need to bring a checkbook, a debit card process, or anything else — Chase will handle all of that during the opening process.

What if I'm opening an account for a child or teenager?

A parent or guardian must be present and bring their own ID and proof of address. The child should bring their Social Security number (or the parent can provide it). Some Chase accounts for minors require the parent to be a co-owner, while others allow the parent to be a custodian — ask the banker which option applies to the account you want.