What you need before you walk in

Most banks will open a checking account for you in one visit if you bring the right documents. You need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number or ITIN. Some banks also ask for a second form of ID or a reference from another bank where you've had an account.

If you don't have a photo ID yet, you can still open an account at many banks—call ahead to ask what they'll accept instead. Some take a combination of documents like a birth certificate plus a utility bill. If you have no address (you're homeless or living with someone whose name isn't on the lease), bring mail addressed to you at a shelter, a PO box, or a friend's address where you actually receive mail. Banks are required to verify your identity and address, but they have flexibility in how they do it.

Bring a small amount of money to deposit—usually $25 to $100, depending on the bank. Some accounts have no minimum, but most do. You don't need to bring cash; you can transfer money from another account or have a check deposited later.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a photo ID, proof of address, and your Social Security number or ITIN to open an account in person at most banks.
  • The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have your documents ready and the bank isn't busy.
  • Many banks let you open an account online instead, which takes about 10 minutes and requires the same documents but delivered by photo or upload.
  • Monthly fees vary widely—some accounts are free, others charge $10 to $15 per month, and some waive fees if you keep a minimum balance or set up direct deposit.
  • You'll get a debit card in 7 to 10 business days, but you can use your account to pay bills or transfer money when ready.

Opening in person at a branch

Walk into any branch of the bank you've chosen during business hours. Tell the person at the desk or the teller that you want to open a checking account. They'll either help you on the spot or direct you to a banker who handles new accounts. This person will ask you questions to verify your identity: your full name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number. They'll look at your ID and proof of address.

Next, they'll show you the checking account options the bank offers. Most banks have a basic account and a premium account with more features. Ask about monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, overdraft fees, and whether direct deposit or a certain balance waives the monthly charge. Read the fee schedule they hand you—it's called a "schedule of fees" or "pricing guide"—because fees are where banks differ most.

Once you choose an account, you'll sign paperwork. This is usually a signature card (where you sign your name so the bank knows what your signature looks like) and a deposit agreement (the contract that says what you and the bank owe each other). You'll also fill out a form called a Currency Transaction Report if you're depositing more than $10,000 in cash—this is federal law, not the bank's choice. Then you hand over your initial deposit, and you're done. Your account is open when ready, though your debit card arrives in the mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Opening online instead of in person

Many banks let you open a checking account entirely online. Go to the bank's website, find the "Open an Account" button, and follow the steps. You'll enter your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Then you'll upload a photo of your ID and proof of address, or take a photo with your phone's camera right there on the screen. The whole process takes about 10 minutes.

Some banks verify you when ready; others take a few hours or a business day. Once you're verified, you can use your account right away—you can set up bill pay, transfer money from another account, or have a paycheck deposited. Your debit card ships to your address in 7 to 10 business days. You won't need to visit a branch unless you want to deposit cash, which you can't do online.

Online accounts work best if you already have another bank account to transfer money from, or if you're setting up direct deposit from an employer. If you need to deposit cash when ready, you'll have to go to a branch anyway, so opening in person might save you a trip.

What happens after you open the account

Your account is live the moment you finish opening it, whether you did it online or in person. You can start paying bills, setting up automatic transfers, or moving money between accounts right away. Your debit card—the physical card you use to buy things and withdraw cash—arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Until it arrives, you can still access your money by going to an ATM with your account number and PIN, or by writing checks if the bank sent you a checkbook.

Your first statement arrives 30 days after you open the account (or sometimes sooner if you open early in the month). It shows every transaction, every fee, and your balance. Check it carefully for mistakes. If something is wrong, call the bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or log into your online account and report it. You have 60 days to dispute a transaction.

Set up online banking while you're at it—it takes five minutes and lets you check your balance, transfer money, and pay bills from your phone or computer. Most banks make this free. You'll create a username and password, and many will let you set up two-factor authentication (a code sent to your phone) to keep your account find.

Fees and what they cover

Monthly maintenance fees range from $0 to $15 depending on the bank and the account type. Some banks charge nothing if you keep a minimum balance (often $500 to $1,500), have direct deposit set up, or maintain a certain number of debit card transactions per month. Others charge a flat fee no matter what. Read the fee schedule before you commit.

Beyond the monthly fee, watch for overdraft fees (charged when you spend more than you have), ATM fees (charged when you use an ATM that doesn't belong to your bank), and wire transfer fees (charged when you send money to another bank). Many banks let you link a savings account or credit card to cover overdrafts automatically, which costs less than an overdraft fee. Some banks also offer overdraft protection for free if you set it up.

If you're on a tight budget, look for banks that advertise "no monthly fee" or "free checking." Credit unions often have lower fees than big banks. Online banks (banks with no physical branches) almost always have no monthly fees because they have lower costs.

If you don't have an ID or Social Security number

You can still open a checking account, but it takes more work. If you don't have a photo ID, bring two other forms of ID—a birth certificate, passport card, school ID, or work ID. Some banks will accept a combination. Call the bank first to ask what they'll take; policies vary by location.

If you don't have a Social Security number, you can use an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead. You get an ITIN from the IRS by filing Form W-7. If you're undocumented and don't have an ITIN yet, some banks will open an account using your passport number or another government ID number from your home country. Again, call ahead—this varies by bank and by state.

If you've been denied an account, ask the bank why. Banks use a system called ChexSystems to check your banking history. If you're in ChexSystems because of unpaid overdrafts or fraud at another bank, you can dispute the record or wait for it to age off (usually seven years). In the meantime, some banks and most credit unions will still open an account for you.

Choosing between banks

The biggest difference between banks is fees and convenience. A big national bank like Chase or Bank of America has thousands of branches and ATMs, so you can deposit cash or withdraw money almost anywhere. A smaller regional bank or credit union might have fewer locations but lower fees. An online bank has no branches but the lowest fees and often the highest interest rates on savings.

Ask yourself: Do I need to deposit cash often? If yes, you need a bank with branches or ATMs near you, or an online bank that partners with a network of ATMs. Do I want to talk to a person? If yes, choose a bank with branches. Do I want the lowest fees? If yes, look at online banks and credit unions. Do I want the highest interest rate on my savings? If yes, online banks usually win.

You can have accounts at multiple banks. Many people keep a checking account at a big bank for convenience and a savings account at an online bank for better interest rates. There's no penalty for doing this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a checking account if I have bad credit?

Yes. Banks don't check your credit score when you open a checking account. They check ChexSystems, a banking history system, to see if you've had problems at other banks (like unpaid overdrafts). If you're in ChexSystems, some banks will still open an account for you, especially credit unions and online banks.

How long does it take to open an account?

In person: 15 to 30 minutes if you have your documents and the bank isn't busy. Online: about 10 minutes to complete the process, then a few hours to a business day for the bank to verify you. Your account is usable when ready after verification, but your debit card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

What if I don't have proof of address?

Bring mail addressed to you—a utility bill, lease, bank statement, or even a letter from a government agency. If you're homeless, bring mail from a shelter or a PO box. If you have none of these, ask the bank what they'll accept. Some will take a phone bill or a letter from an employer on letterhead.

Do I need a minimum deposit to open an account?

Most banks ask for a small initial deposit, usually $25 to $100. Some accounts have no minimum. Ask the bank before you go in. You can transfer the money from another account or deposit it later if you don't have cash on hand.

Can I use my account before my debit card arrives?

Yes. You can pay bills online, transfer money, set up direct deposit, and withdraw cash at ATMs using your account number and PIN. You just can't swipe a physical card in a store until the debit card arrives in the mail.