The documents and information banks require before you can open an account

To open a bank account, you 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 date of birth and a phone number. That is the baseline. Some banks add extra steps — a credit check, a review of your banking history through ChexSystems, or verification that you are not on a list of people banned from banking — but the three items above are what nearly every bank in the United States will ask for before they open your account.

The reason banks ask for these things is not to make your life harder. They are required by federal law to verify your identity and confirm you are not using a false name. The address proof and phone number help them contact you if something goes wrong with your account. Understanding what each piece is for makes it easier to know what will work and what will not.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a government photo ID, proof of address, and a Social Security number or ITIN — these three things are required by federal law and nearly every bank will ask for them.
  • Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days, and does not have to be in your name if you can explain the connection.
  • If you do not have a photo ID, some banks will open an account using a combination of other documents, but you will need to call ahead and ask which bank in your area does this.
  • Banks check your history through ChexSystems, a database of closed accounts and fraud, so a past problem with another bank may slow down or block your process.
  • The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes in person or 10 to 20 minutes online, and your account is often ready to use the same day.

Government-issued photo ID and what counts

A driver's license or state ID card is what most banks expect. A passport works too. Some banks will also take a tribal ID, a military ID, or a passport card. The ID needs to be current — expired IDs are usually rejected, though some banks will accept one that expired within the last year if you can show a second form of ID.

If you do not have a photo ID, you have options, but they vary by bank. Some banks in your area may open an account using a combination of documents — a birth certificate, Social Security card, and utility bill, for example — but you will need to call and ask which ones do this. Banks are not required to do it, so the answer depends on the specific bank's policy. Credit unions are sometimes more flexible than large national banks on this point.

Proof of address: what documents work

Banks need to confirm where you live. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail (tax forms, benefit letters, court documents) dated within the last 60 days all work. The document does not have to be in your name — if you live with a family member or roommate, their utility bill with your address on it is acceptable. You will just need to explain the connection when you show it.

If you do not have any of these, a bank statement from another bank, a credit card statement, or a phone bill can sometimes work, though policies vary. Ask the bank what they accept before you come in. If you are homeless or living in a shelter, some banks have workarounds — a shelter letter with your name and the shelter's address, or mail from a government agency sent to a shelter address. Call ahead to confirm the bank will accept it.

Social Security number or ITIN

Banks are required by federal law to collect this number and verify it matches your name and date of birth. If you have a Social Security number, bring it. If you do not have one but are authorized to work in the United States, you can get an ITIN from the IRS — this is a nine-digit number that works for banking purposes even if you are not a citizen.

If you have neither a Social Security number nor an ITIN, some banks will not open an account for you. Others will open what is called a second-chance account or basic account with limited features while you work on getting an ITIN. This is rare, so you will need to call banks in your area and ask directly.

ChexSystems checks and what they mean for you

Most banks run your name through ChexSystems, a database that tracks closed accounts, overdrafts, and fraud. If you have closed accounts in good standing, this will not hurt you. If you have unpaid overdrafts, multiple accounts closed due to fraud, or a pattern of bounced checks, the bank may deny your process or require you to pay off the old debt first.

You have the right to see what ChexSystems has on file about you. You can request a free report at www.chexsystems.com. If there is an error — an account that was not yours, or a debt you already paid — you can dispute it. Disputes usually take 30 to 45 days to resolve, so if you are in a hurry to open an account, do this before you explore to a bank.

What happens after you hand over your documents

In person, the bank employee will photocopy or scan your ID and address proof, write down your Social Security number, and enter your information into their system. They will ask you what type of account you want (checking, savings, or both), whether you want online banking, and how you want to receive statements. This takes 15 to 30 minutes. Your account is usually active the same day, though some banks hold new accounts for 24 hours before you can deposit money.

Online, you upload photos of your ID and address proof, type in your information, and answer questions about your banking history. This takes 10 to 20 minutes. The bank reviews your documents and either approves you when ready or asks for more information by email. If approved, you can usually start using your account within a few hours, though some banks wait until the next business day.

What to bring and what to expect if something goes wrong

Bring your photo ID, your address proof, and write down your Social Security number or ITIN before you go — do not rely on memory. Bring a phone number where the bank can reach you. If you are opening an account online, make sure your ID photos are clear and the address on your proof document is readable.

If the bank denies your process, they are required to tell you why. Common reasons are a ChexSystems issue, an address that does not match your ID, or a Social Security number that does not verify. If this happens, ask the bank what you can do to fix it. If the problem is with ChexSystems, dispute it. If the problem is a mismatch, bring a second document that shows the correct information. If the problem is your Social Security number, contact the Social Security Administration to confirm it is correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you are authorized to work in the United States, you can get an ITIN from the IRS and use that instead. If you have neither, a very small number of banks will open a basic account while you work on getting an ITIN, but you will need to call and ask. Most banks will not open an account without one or the other.

What if my address proof is not in my name?

If it is a utility bill or lease in a family member's or roommate's name, bring it along with an ID in your name and explain the connection. Banks accept this regularly. Have the person's name and your relationship ready to explain.

How long does it take to open an account?

In person, 15 to 30 minutes. Online, 10 to 20 minutes to complete the process, then a few hours to a full business day for the bank to review and approve. Your account is usually ready to use the same day or the next business day.

What if I have a bad banking history with ChexSystems?

Request your free ChexSystems report and dispute any errors. If the information is correct, some banks specialize in second-chance accounts for people with banking history issues. You may also need to pay off old overdrafts or unpaid fees before a bank will open a new account.

Can someone else open an account for me?

No. You must be present and provide your own ID and signature. If you are unable to go to the bank in person, you can open an account online instead, as long as you can photograph your ID and address proof yourself.