Yes, you can open a bank account without a passport

Most banks will open an account for you using a driver's license, state ID card, or other government-issued photo ID instead of a passport. The bank's legal requirement is to verify your identity and confirm your Social Security number — the document you use to prove those things varies by bank and by what you have available.

What matters is that your ID is current, government-issued, and has your photo on it. A passport works, but it is not the only option. If you do not have a passport and do not plan to get one, you have other paths forward.

Key Takeaways

  • A driver's license or state ID card will work at nearly every bank in place of a passport.
  • If you have neither a driver's license nor a state ID, you can use a tribal ID, military ID, or passport card instead.
  • Some banks will open an account with a combination of documents if you have no photo ID at all — usually a birth certificate plus a utility bill or lease.
  • Online banks sometimes have different ID rules than brick-and-mortar branches, so check the specific bank's requirements before you start.
  • The bank will always ask for your Social Security number; if you do not have one, you may need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead.

What ID documents banks will accept instead of a passport

A driver's license is the most common substitute. If you have one from any U.S. state, the bank will almost certainly take it. The license must be current — expired licenses are usually rejected, though some banks will accept one that expired within the last year.

A state ID card (sometimes called a non-driver ID) works the same way. You can get one from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles even if you do not drive. It costs between $10 and $30 depending on your state, takes about two weeks to arrive by mail, and requires the same documents a driver's license does: proof of residency, proof of citizenship or legal presence, and a Social Security number.

If you have neither a driver's license nor a state ID, these will also work: a military ID, a tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe, a passport card (the wallet-sized version of a passport), or a U.S. permanent resident card (green card). All of these are government-issued photo IDs that banks recognize.

Opening an account with no photo ID at all

If you have none of the documents above, some banks will still open an account for you, but the process is slower and requires more paperwork. The bank will ask for a birth certificate (or a certified copy) plus a second document proving where you live — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement in your name, dated within the last 60 days.

Not every bank offers this route. Call ahead or check the bank's website before you go in. Online banks are less likely to accept this combination because they cannot verify documents in person. If you use this path, expect the account to take longer to open — sometimes several days instead of the same day — because the bank has to do more manual verification.

If you are a non-citizen without a green card, you may be able to use a passport from your home country plus a U.S. visa or travel document. Some banks accept this; others do not. Again, call first.

What to bring if you have a Social Security number

Bring your photo ID (whichever one you have), your Social Security card or a document showing your number, and proof of your current address. The address proof can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or recent bank statement — anything dated within the last 60 days with your name and address on it.

If your ID and your address proof have different names (for example, you changed your last name after marriage or divorce), bring a document showing the name change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The bank needs to see that you are the same person.

Some banks will ask for a phone number and email address. Have those ready. A few will also ask what you plan to use the account for — personal spending, business, savings — so you know which type of account to request.

If you do not have a Social Security number

You will need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead. An ITIN is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to people who do not have a Social Security number but need to file taxes or open a bank account. You can get one by filing Form W-7 with the IRS; the process takes about two weeks if you mail it in, or you can explore in person at an IRS office or through a certified acceptance agent.

Bring your ITIN letter (the document the IRS sends you) to the bank along with your photo ID and proof of address. Some banks will open an account with an ITIN; others will not. Call ahead to confirm the bank you want to use accepts ITINs, because policies vary.

Online banks versus in-person branches

Online banks often have stricter ID rules because they cannot see your documents in person. Many online banks require a driver's license or state ID specifically — they may not accept a passport, passport card, or the birth certificate plus utility bill combination. A few online banks will verify your identity using a video call where you show your ID to a person on screen.

If you are opening an account online and do not have a driver's license or state ID, check the bank's website for their specific requirements before you start. You can usually find this under "How to open an account" or "Identity verification." If the website does not say, call the bank's customer service line.

In-person branches at traditional banks are usually more flexible. They can examine your documents, ask follow-up questions, and sometimes work with you if your situation is unusual. If you are stuck, visiting a branch in person is often easier than trying to open an account online.

What happens after you show your ID

The bank will run a background check through ChexSystems, a banking history database. This is not a credit check — it looks at whether you have unpaid fees or fraud history at other banks. Most people pass this check without issue. If you have a history of overdrafts or closed accounts due to fraud, the bank may deny you or ask you to use a second-chance banking program.

The bank will also verify your Social Security number or ITIN with the Social Security Administration or IRS. This usually happens when ready. If there is a mismatch — for example, your name does not match the SSN on file — the bank will ask you to clarify or bring additional documents.

Once everything checks out, your account opens the same day (at a branch) or within one to three business days (online). You will receive a debit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account with an expired passport?

Most banks will not accept an expired passport as your only ID. Use a driver's license, state ID, or another current photo ID instead. If a passport is all you have, call the bank first — some will accept one that expired within the last year, but this is not standard.

Do I need to bring the original documents or can I bring copies?

Bring originals. The bank needs to see the actual document to verify it is real and matches your face. They will not accept photocopies or photos on your phone, though they may make a copy for their records after they verify the original.

What if my name on my ID does not match my Social Security card?

Bring a document showing the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The bank needs to see that both names belong to the same person. This is common and not a problem as long as you can prove the connection.

Can I open a bank account if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. You can use a passport from your home country plus a U.S. visa or travel document, or a green card if you have one. Some banks are more willing to work with non-citizens than others, so call ahead. You will need an ITIN instead of a Social Security number if you do not have one.

How long does it take to open an account without a photo ID?

If you use a birth certificate and utility bill instead of a photo ID, the process usually takes two to five business days because the bank has to verify the documents manually. At a branch, it might be faster. Online, it will be slower.