The documents and information banks actually ask for
Most banks need two things from you before they open a checking account: proof of who you are, and proof of where you live. A driver's license or passport covers the first. A recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement covers the second. Some banks will accept a bank statement from another institution instead. That is usually the entire list.
The reason banks ask for these is federal law, not bank policy. The Bank Secrecy Act requires them to verify your identity and address before they let you move money through their system. If you show up with a valid ID and a recent piece of mail with your name and address on it, you can open an account the same day.
What you do not need is perfect credit, a Social Security number (if you are not a U.S. citizen), or a minimum deposit. Some banks advertise accounts with no minimum balance requirement. Others require $25 or $100 to start. That is a bank choice, not a legal requirement. Shop around if the minimum matters to you.
Key Takeaways
- Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and a recent document showing your current address, such as a utility bill or lease.
- Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity and address before opening an account, but this takes minutes and can happen in person or online.
- You do not need a credit history, a minimum deposit, or a Social Security number to open a basic checking account at most banks.
- If you do not have a permanent address, some banks will accept a shelter letter, a PO box, or a care-of address on your ID.
- Online banks often have the same document requirements as brick-and-mortar banks but may ask you to upload photos of your documents instead of showing originals.
What counts as proof of identity
A driver's license is the easiest form of ID because it has your photo, signature, and address all in one place. A state ID card (non-driver) works just as well. A U.S. passport or passport card also works. A military ID works. A tribal ID works if your tribe is federally recognized.
If you do not have any of these, some banks will accept a combination of documents instead. A birth certificate plus a Social Security card plus a recent utility bill can sometimes work, though you will need to call ahead and ask. Banks vary on this. A few will accept a letter from a government agency, a school, or a shelter that confirms your identity and current address.
The ID does not have to be current. An expired driver's license is still acceptable as long as the photo looks like you and the address on it is reasonably recent. If your address has changed since you got your ID, bring the address proof separately.
What counts as proof of address
A utility bill in your name (electric, gas, water, internet) is the standard. It needs to be recent—most banks want something from the last 60 to 90 days. A lease or mortgage statement works. A property tax bill works. A bank statement from another bank works. A credit card statement works. An insurance bill works.
If you rent and do not have a lease in your name, a letter from your landlord on their letterhead saying you live there and the dates you have lived there can work. If you live with family or friends, some banks will accept a utility bill in someone else's name if you bring a signed letter from that person saying you live there. Call the bank first to ask what they will accept.
If you do not have a permanent address, bring what you have. A shelter can write you a letter. A PO box can work if your ID shows the PO box address. Some banks will accept a care-of address (c/o someone else's address) if you have documentation that you receive mail there. Again, call first.
Information you will provide by mouth or on a form
Beyond the documents, the bank will ask you basic questions: your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number (if you have one), phone number, and email address. They will ask if you are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. They will ask about your employment, though you do not have to be employed to open an account.
They will ask if you have been convicted of a felony. They will ask if you have had a checking account closed by another bank for cause (overdrafts you did not pay, fraud, or repeated violations of the bank's rules). These questions are part of the Bank Secrecy Act verification. Lying on them can result in the account being closed and reported to federal authorities. Being honest about a past problem is better than hiding it.
You will also choose whether you want online banking, a debit card, and whether you want paper statements or electronic ones. These are preferences, not requirements. You can change them later.
What happens if you do not have a Social Security number
If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not have a Social Security number, you can still open a checking account. The bank will ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, or sometimes will open the account without one and ask you to provide it later. Some banks are more flexible on this than others.
Bring your passport and a visa or other immigration document that shows your legal status. Bring your address proof as usual. If you have an ITIN, bring that too. If you do not, ask the bank whether they will open the account without it or whether you need to get one first. The process to get an ITIN takes several weeks and involves the IRS, so knowing this before you go to the bank saves a trip.
Online account opening and document uploads
Many banks now let you open an account entirely online. You will still need the same documents, but instead of showing them in person, you photograph them and upload the images. Take clear photos of both sides of your ID and a clear photo of your address document. Make sure your name and the relevant dates are readable.
Some banks will verify your identity when ready using the photo. Others will review it manually and call you within a day or two. A few will ask you to verify your identity a second way—by answering questions about your credit history, or by confirming a small deposit they make to another account of yours, or by video call with a bank employee.
Online opening is usually faster than in-person opening, but it depends on the bank. Some approve you in minutes. Others take 24 to 48 hours. Ask the bank what to expect before you start the process.
What to bring if you are opening an account for someone else
If you are opening an account on behalf of a minor, you will need your own ID and address proof, plus the minor's birth certificate or Social Security card. Some banks require the minor to be present. Others do not. Call ahead.
If you are opening an account as a power of attorney or guardian for an adult, bring your own documents plus the legal document that gives you that authority (the power of attorney, guardianship order, or conservatorship order). The bank will keep a copy.
If you are opening a business checking account, bring your business license or articles of incorporation, your EIN (Employer Identification Number), and your personal ID. The requirements vary more for business accounts than for personal ones, so ask the bank what they need before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a checking account without a permanent address?
Yes. Bring a shelter letter, a PO box, or a care-of address on your ID. Some banks are more willing to work with this than others. Call a few banks in your area and ask what they will accept before you go in.
Do I need a minimum deposit to open an account?
Not by law, but individual banks set their own rules. Some have no minimum. Others require $25 or $100. A few require more. Check the bank's website or call and ask before you go.
What if my ID address does not match where I live now?
Bring both your ID and a recent document showing your current address. The bank will use the current address for their records. You can update your ID address later at the DMV or your state's ID office.
Can I open an account if I have been banned from banking before?
It depends on why. If you owe money to a bank or were flagged for fraud, some banks will refuse you. Others will open an account but restrict what you can do with it. Be honest when they ask. Some banks specialize in second-chance accounts for people with banking history problems.
How long does it take to open an account?
In person, usually 15 to 30 minutes. Online, anywhere from minutes to 48 hours depending on the bank's verification process. Ask the bank what their timeline is when you start.