What you need to open a bank account

To open a bank account in the United States, you will need a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Most banks also ask for your phone number and email address. That is the core set — different banks may ask for one or two additional pieces of information, but these five things cover nearly all of them.

Your photo ID can be a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or similar document issued by a government agency. The address proof is usually a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement with your name and current address on it — typically from the last 60 days, though this varies by bank. If you do not have a Social Security number, an ITIN (issued by the IRS to people who file taxes but are not citizens) works just as well.

Some banks will also ask whether you have had a bank account before, and whether you have any outstanding negative marks with ChexSystems — a system banks use to check your banking history. If you have never banked in the US before, you can straightforward say so. If you are unsure about your ChexSystems history, you can request a free report from ChexSystems before you explore, which takes a few days.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need a government photo ID, proof of your current address, and a Social Security number or ITIN to open most bank accounts.
  • You can open an account in person at a bank branch, by phone, or online — the fastest route is usually online if you have all your documents ready.
  • Banks verify your identity and check your banking history before opening the account, which typically takes one to three business days.
  • Once your account is open, you will receive a debit card in the mail within one to two weeks and can start using your account when ready.
  • If you have had problems with a previous bank account, tell the bank upfront — many have second-chance accounts designed for people rebuilding their banking history.

Opening an account in person at a branch

Walking into a bank branch with your documents is the most straightforward route if you have a branch near you. Bring your photo ID, address proof, and Social Security number or ITIN. A bank representative will ask you questions about the account type you want (usually checking, savings, or both), review your information, and run a background check through ChexSystems.

The whole process takes about 30 minutes. Before you leave, you will have an account number and temporary access to your account — you can often start using it the same day through the bank's app or website. Your physical debit card will arrive in the mail within one to two weeks. If you need cash when ready, ask the teller whether you can withdraw from your new account right away; most banks allow this.

Going in person is useful if you have questions about which account type fits your needs, or if you want to make sure your documents are acceptable before you hand them over. It also means you can resolve any issues on the spot — for example, if your address proof is slightly outdated, the banker can often accept it with a quick phone call to verify.

Opening an account online

Most banks now let you open an account entirely through their website or mobile app. You will upload photos of your ID and address proof, type in your Social Security number or ITIN, and answer questions about your banking history. The process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Online accounts are verified more slowly than in-person ones — expect one to three business days for approval rather than the same day. During that time, the bank's system will check your documents, verify your identity, and run the ChexSystems check. You will receive an email or text when your account is ready. Once it is approved, you can log in and use your account when ready through the app or website, even before your debit card arrives.

The main drawback of opening online is that if something is wrong with your documents — a photo that is too blurry, an address proof that is too old — you will not find out until after you have submitted everything. If that happens, the bank will contact you and ask you to resubmit. This can add several days to the process.

What happens during the verification process

Once you submit your information, the bank runs three checks. First, it verifies that your ID is real and that the photo matches you — this is usually done by a combination of automated scanning and human review. Second, it confirms that your Social Security number or ITIN is valid and matches your name. Third, it checks ChexSystems to see whether you have had problems with a bank account in the past.

If everything checks out, your account opens within one to three business days. If something does not match — for example, your name on your ID is slightly different from the name you typed — the bank will contact you to clarify. If ChexSystems shows a problem, the bank will tell you what it found and may ask you to explain it or may deny the account.

Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity before opening an account. This process is called Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance. It exists to prevent fraud and money laundering, not to make your life difficult — but it does mean the bank cannot skip these steps even if you ask them to.

Choosing between account types

Most banks offer checking accounts, savings accounts, or both together. A checking account is designed for money you use regularly — it comes with a debit card, online bill pay, and the ability to write checks. A savings account is designed for money you want to set aside and earn interest on; it usually has fewer transactions per month and a lower interest rate than a money market account.

Many banks offer a basic checking account with no monthly fee if you keep a small balance (often $500 to $1,000) or set up direct deposit. Some offer a savings account that earns interest — the rate varies widely by bank and changes monthly, so compare a few banks before you decide. A few banks offer both accounts bundled together at a discount.

If you are new to banking or rebuilding your history after a problem, ask the bank whether they offer a second-chance checking account. These accounts have higher fees than standard accounts but are designed for people who have had overdrafts or other issues in the past. Once you have used the account responsibly for six months to a year, you can usually move to a standard account.

What to bring and what to expect after opening

Bring originals of your photo ID and address proof — do not bring copies unless the bank specifically asks for them. Bring your Social Security card or ITIN letter if you have it, though the bank can usually verify the number without seeing the physical document. Bring a phone number and email address where the bank can reach you.

After your account opens, the bank will send you a welcome packet in the mail with your account number, routing number, and information about online banking. Your debit card will arrive separately, usually within one to two weeks. You can start using your account through the bank's website or app before the card arrives — you can transfer money, set up bill pay, or deposit checks by phone or app.

Set up online banking as soon as your account is open. This lets you check your balance, see your transactions, and set up alerts if your balance drops below a certain amount. Most banks also let you freeze your debit card through the app if it is lost or stolen, which is faster than calling the bank.

If your account is denied

Banks can deny an account for a few reasons: a ChexSystems problem, an identity verification failure, or a match between your name and a government watchlist. If your account is denied, the bank must tell you why and give you contact information for ChexSystems so you can request a free report and correct any errors.

If the problem is on ChexSystems, you can dispute it directly with ChexSystems or ask the bank that reported it to remove the mark. This can take 30 to 60 days. While you are waiting, you can try opening an account at a different bank — not all banks use ChexSystems, and some have second-chance programs that overlook older problems.

If the problem is an identity verification failure, ask the bank what did not match. Often it is a small thing — a middle initial, a nickname instead of your legal name, or an address that changed recently. You can reapply with corrected information, or try a different bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account without a Social Security number?

Yes. If you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) issued by the IRS, you can use that instead. If you have neither, some banks will open an account using your passport number or state ID number, though this is less common. Call banks in your area and ask which ones accept alternatives to a Social Security number.

How long does it take to open an account?

In person at a branch, 30 minutes to an hour and your account is ready the same day. Online, 10 to 15 minutes to submit, but one to three business days for approval. Phone applications fall in between — usually one business day.

What if my address proof is old or I just moved?

Tell the bank when you explore. Many will accept an address proof that is up to 90 days old. If yours is older, bring a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement instead. If you just moved and do not have a new proof yet, some banks will accept a letter from your landlord or a recent piece of mail with your new address.

Do I need to deposit money to open an account?

No. Most banks let you open an account with zero dollars. You can deposit money later, either through direct deposit, a transfer from another bank, a check deposited by phone or app, or cash at a branch.

What is the difference between a debit card and a credit card?

A debit card draws money directly from your bank account — you can only spend what you have. A credit card borrows money from the card company, and you pay it back later. Bank accounts come with debit cards. Credit cards are separate products that you would explore for later.