You need military service history and a valid ID to open a USAA account

USAA requires proof of military service or a family relationship to someone with military service. You cannot open an account without this. The process itself takes about 15 minutes online, and your account is usually ready to use the same day or within one business day.

You will need a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID), your Social Security number, and basic information like your address and phone number. If you are opening an account based on a family member's service, you will need to provide their service details as well.

Key Takeaways

  • USAA membership requires you to be active military, a veteran, or a family member of someone with military service history.
  • You can open an account entirely online through USAA's website without visiting a branch, since USAA has no physical locations.
  • The account opening process takes about 15 minutes and you can usually start using your account the same day.
  • You will need a valid government ID, your Social Security number, and proof of military service or family connection to military service.

Verify your military service may be able to access before you start

USAA membership is limited to active duty service members, retired military personnel, veterans, and their family members. If you served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, you are may be able to access. Reserve and National Guard service also counts.

If you are explore based on a family member's service, that person must have been honorably discharged or be currently serving. Dishonorable discharge disqualifies you. If you are unsure about the discharge status, you can contact the military branch directly or request a copy of the discharge papers (called a DD Form 214 for veterans).

USAA also accepts family members of service members who died on active duty or from a service-connected disability. If this applies to you, have the relevant military documentation ready when you open your account.

Go through the online account opening process

Visit USAA.com and click the button to open a new account. You will be asked to enter your email address and create a password. USAA will then ask you to confirm your military service status—you will select whether you are active duty, retired, a veteran, or a family member, and provide the service member's branch and years of service.

Next, enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and phone number. Have your government-issued ID in front of you because USAA will ask you to verify information from it. The system checks your identity against databases to prevent fraud.

You will then choose which accounts to open. Most people start with a checking account, but USAA also offers savings accounts, money market accounts, and other products. You can open multiple accounts at once or just one. Select the account type, review the terms, and confirm.

Complete identity verification and fund your account

After you submit your information, USAA performs an identity verification check. This usually happens when ready, but it can take up to one business day. You will receive an email confirming whether verification was successful. If there is a problem, USAA will contact you with next steps.

Once your account is open, you can fund it when ready. USAA will provide you with your account number and routing number. You can transfer money from another bank account, deposit a check using the USAA mobile app, or set up direct deposit from your employer. There is no minimum deposit required to open the account, but some account types have minimum balance requirements to avoid monthly fees—check the specific account terms when you open it.

Set up online banking and security features

After your account is open, log into your USAA account online or read the USAA mobile app. You will be prompted to set up additional security features, including two-factor authentication. This means USAA will send a code to your phone or email when you log in from a new device, adding a layer of protection against unauthorized access.

You can also set up a PIN for the mobile app and enable biometric login (fingerprint or face recognition) if your phone supports it. Review your account settings to make sure your contact information is correct and that you have set up any alerts you want—for example, notifications when your balance drops below a certain amount or when a large transaction occurs.

Order a debit card and set up bill pay

Your USAA debit card will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after your account opens. You can use your account for online transfers and bill payments before the card arrives. Once the card arrives, set up it through the app or website before using it.

USAA's bill pay feature lets you pay bills directly from your checking account without writing checks. You can set up one-time payments or recurring payments to any business or person. The service is free, and payments typically process within one to three business days depending on the payee.

Understand account fees and minimum balance requirements

USAA checking accounts have no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance requirement. Savings accounts and money market accounts may have different requirements—check the specific account terms when you open it. USAA does not charge overdraft fees on overdrafts, but it does charge fees for certain other services like wire transfers or stop payments.

USAA reimburses ATM fees charged by other banks, which is useful if you need to withdraw cash from an ATM that is not part of the USAA network. Since USAA has no physical branches, this is one of the ways they make banking convenient for members who need cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my military service was more than 10 years ago?

Your service history does not expire. As long as you were honorably discharged or retired, you remain may be able to access to open a USAA account at any time in the future. Bring your discharge papers or military ID if you have them, but USAA can verify your service through military databases.

Can I open an account for my spouse if they did not serve?

Yes. Spouses of service members, veterans, and retirees are may be able to access to open USAA accounts. You will need to provide your spouse's information and your own military service details during the account opening process to establish the family connection.

What happens if my identity verification fails?

USAA will contact you by phone or email to let you know verification did not go through. You may be asked to provide additional documentation or to verify information in a different way. Contact USAA directly if you receive a message about a failed verification to find out what documents they need.

Can I open a USAA account on my phone?

Yes. The USAA website and mobile app both support account opening. The process is the same on either device. You will need your government ID information and Social Security number available, and the whole process takes about 15 minutes.

Is there a fee to open a USAA account?

No. Opening a USAA account is free. There are no setup fees, process fees, or charges to create the account. Some account types may have monthly fees if you do not meet minimum balance requirements, but basic checking accounts have no monthly fee.