What you need to open a Discover Bank account

You can open a Discover Bank account online in about 10 minutes using a computer or phone. You will need a valid government-issued ID (a driver's license, passport, or state ID card), your Social Security number, and a way to fund the account — either a debit card, another bank account, or a wire transfer.

Discover does not have physical branches, so everything happens on their website or through their mobile app. This means you cannot walk into a location to open an account, but it also means you can do it from home at any time of day.

You do not need to have had a bank account before. Discover accepts people opening their first account, and they do not require a minimum deposit to start — though you will need to add money at some point to actually use the account.

Key Takeaways

  • You can open a Discover Bank account entirely online using a government ID, Social Security number, and a way to fund the account.
  • The process takes about 10 minutes and you can start using the account the same day in most cases.
  • Discover offers checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts, each with different features and interest rates.
  • You will need to verify your identity during signup, which usually happens automatically but may require a phone call if Discover cannot confirm your information right away.
  • Once your account is open, you can deposit money by transferring from another bank, using a debit card, or requesting a wire transfer.

Step-by-step: opening your account online

Start by going to Discover's website and clicking the button to open a new account. You will choose which type of account you want — a checking account (for everyday spending), a savings account (for money you want to keep separate and earn interest on), or a money market account (a savings account that usually pays higher interest but may have limits on how often you can withdraw).

Next, you enter your personal information: your full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email. Then you provide your Social Security number. Discover uses this to check your identity and to look at ChexSystems, a database that banks use to see if you have had problems with accounts at other banks.

After that, you create a username and password for your online account. Make this password strong — use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You will use this to log in every time you want to check your balance or move money.

Finally, you choose how to fund your account. You can transfer money from another bank account (Discover will give you routing and account numbers to use), pay with a debit card, or arrange a wire transfer. You do not have to fund it right away, but you will need money in the account before you can use it.

Identity verification: what happens next

After you submit your information, Discover verifies your identity automatically in most cases. This usually takes a few minutes. If Discover can confirm who you are using the information you provided, your account opens right away and you can start using it.

Sometimes Discover cannot verify you automatically and will call you to confirm details over the phone. This is normal and not a sign that something is wrong. Have your ID ready when you answer. The call usually takes less than five minutes.

In rare cases, Discover may ask you to upload a photo of your ID or provide additional documents. If this happens, you will see instructions in your account or receive an email explaining what to send. Once Discover receives and reviews these documents, your account will be activated.

Types of Discover Bank accounts and what they offer

Discover's checking account is designed for everyday spending. It comes with a debit card, online bill pay, and the ability to write checks. You can withdraw money at any ATM in the Allpoint network, which includes over 60,000 ATMs worldwide. There is no monthly fee.

Discover's savings account is for money you want to set aside and earn interest on. The interest rate changes based on market conditions, so it varies over time. You can withdraw money whenever you need it, though some banks limit how many withdrawals you can make per month — check Discover's current terms to see if this applies.

The money market account combines features of checking and savings. It usually pays a higher interest rate than a regular savings account, but may come with a debit card and checkbook. Some money market accounts have limits on how many times you can withdraw per month.

Funding your account after it opens

Once your account is open, you need to add money to it. The easiest way is to transfer from another bank account you already have. Discover will give you your routing number and account number — you can use these to set up a transfer from your old bank's website or app, just like you would transfer money between any two accounts.

Transfers usually take one to three business days. If you need money faster, you can pay with a debit card, which is when ready, though Discover may charge a small fee for this. You can also arrange a wire transfer through your current bank, which usually arrives the same day.

If you do not have another bank account or a debit card, ask Discover about other ways to fund your account. Some people use money orders or cashier's checks, though these take longer to process.

What happens if Discover denies your account

Discover may deny your account if ChexSystems shows a history of unpaid fees, fraud, or other serious problems at previous banks. If this happens, Discover will send you a letter explaining why. You have the right to contact ChexSystems and ask for a copy of your report to see what information they have about you.

If the information in ChexSystems is wrong, you can dispute it. ChexSystems has a process for this, and you can find instructions on their website. Correcting errors can take several weeks.

If you are denied by Discover, you may still be able to open an account at another bank. Some banks are more flexible about ChexSystems history than others. A community bank or credit union in your area may have different standards than Discover.

Using your account once it is open

Once your account is funded and active, you can use it like any other bank account. Log into your account online or through the app to check your balance, transfer money, pay bills, or set up automatic payments. If you have a checking account, your debit card will arrive in the mail within a week or two.

You can deposit checks by taking a photo of the front and back with the mobile app — this is called mobile check deposit. You can also deposit cash at any Allpoint ATM that accepts deposits, though not all of them do.

If you have questions about your account, Discover has customer service available by phone and through their website. They do not have in-person branches, so you cannot visit a location, but you can reach them by phone during business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to open a Discover Bank account?

The signup process itself takes about 10 minutes. In most cases, your account is active when ready after you finish. If Discover needs to verify your identity by phone, this usually happens within a few hours, and the call takes less than five minutes.

Do I need a minimum deposit to open a Discover Bank account?

No. You can open an account with zero dollars. However, you will need to add money before you can use the account for anything — you cannot make purchases or transfers with an empty account.

What if I do not have a government ID?

Discover requires a valid government-issued ID to open an account. If you do not have a driver's license or passport, you may be able to use a state ID card. If you do not have any of these, contact Discover to ask about other options — they may be able to help, though this is not may provide.

Can I open a Discover Bank account if I have been denied by other banks?

It depends on why you were denied. If another bank denied you because of ChexSystems history, Discover may also deny you. However, some people with ChexSystems issues are still able to open accounts at certain banks. Contact Discover directly to ask about your specific situation.

What is the difference between Discover's checking and savings accounts?

A checking account is for everyday spending — it comes with a debit card and checkbook. A savings account is for storing money and earning interest, with fewer withdrawal options. Choose checking if you need to spend money regularly, and savings if you want to set money aside.