What you can open online depends on the bank, not the account type
Most banks let you open a checking or savings account online without visiting a branch. The catch: not every bank offers this, and the ones that do have different requirements. A large national bank like Chase or Bank of America will let you open a basic checking account in 10 minutes from your phone. A smaller regional bank or credit union might require you to visit in person, or might not exist online at all.
The account type itself — checking, savings, money market — is not what stops you. The bank's technology and policies are. If you want to open an account online, you need to find a bank that has built the system to do it, then meet whatever that specific bank requires.
Key Takeaways
- Most large national banks and online-only banks let you open checking and savings accounts entirely online, usually in under 15 minutes.
- You will need a Social Security number, a government-issued ID, and proof of address (a recent utility bill or lease works) to open an account online.
- Some banks verify your identity when ready through a video call or by checking your credit file; others mail you a confirmation code and require you to verify by phone.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks often require an in-person visit or membership approval before you can open an account, even if they have a website.
- Online-only banks (Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover) typically have the fastest online process because they have no branches and no paper option.
What documents you need to have ready
Before you start, gather these items. You will not need to mail them in — the bank will ask you to upload images or answer questions about them during the online process.
A government-issued ID is required by every bank. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card works. The bank will ask you to photograph the front and back, or to read the information aloud during a video call. Some banks use automated software to read the ID; others have a person verify it.
Your Social Security number is non-negotiable. Banks use it to check your identity against government records and to pull your banking history (ChexSystems or Early Warning Services). You cannot open an account without providing it.
Proof of address is usually required if your ID is old or does not match your current address. A utility bill, lease agreement, or recent bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. Some banks ask you to upload an image; others accept your word if your ID matches.
How the identity verification process actually works
Banks verify your identity in different ways, and the method affects how long the process takes. The fastest banks use one of three approaches: when ready verification through your credit file, video call verification, or knowledge-based questions.
when ready verification happens when the bank checks your Social Security number and address against Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. If the information matches, you are approved in seconds. This works for most people who have a credit history. If you have no credit history or your information does not match, the bank moves to the next step.
Video call verification means a bank employee or automated system calls you during the process, or you schedule a callback. They ask you to show your ID to the camera and answer questions about your identity. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Some banks do this when ready; others schedule it within 24 hours.
Knowledge-based questions are the slowest method. The bank asks you questions only you should know the answer to — details from your credit history, past addresses, or previous accounts. You answer 3 to 5 questions, and the bank verifies your answers against its records. This can happen when ready or take a few minutes.
If none of these work, the bank mails you a confirmation code. You receive it in 3 to 7 business days, enter it on the bank's website, and your account activates. This is rare but happens when your identity cannot be verified electronically.
Banks that let you open accounts online with no minimum deposit
Most online banks and large national banks do not require a minimum opening deposit. You can open the account with zero dollars and fund it later. A few banks still require a small deposit — usually $25 to $100 — but this is becoming less common.
Online-only banks (Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover, Marcus) almost never require a minimum deposit and have the fastest online process because they have no branches. You open the account, receive account and routing numbers when ready, and can start using it the same day.
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank let you open accounts online with no minimum deposit. Some of their accounts have monthly fees if you do not maintain a balance or set up direct deposit, but the account itself costs nothing to open.
Credit unions vary widely. Some let you open accounts online; most require you to visit a branch or be a member of a specific employer or organization first. Call your credit union or check their website before assuming you can open online.
What happens after you open the account online
Once your identity is verified, the bank creates your account and gives you a temporary account number and routing number. You can use these to set up direct deposit or transfer money in when ready. Your debit card ships separately and arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
Some banks let you use a temporary digital card (a card number that works only online) while you wait for the physical card. Others require you to wait for the card to arrive. Check the bank's website or the confirmation email to see what you can do in the meantime.
If the bank could not verify your identity when ready, you will receive an email or phone call with next steps. This might be a request to upload additional documents, a scheduled video call, or a confirmation code mailed to your address. The timeline varies by bank and verification method, but most accounts are fully active within 24 hours to 7 days.
When you cannot open an account online
Some banks do not offer online account opening, even if they have a website. Smaller regional banks, community banks, and most credit unions require an in-person visit. If you call the bank's main number and ask "Can I open a checking account online?", they will tell you directly.
You also cannot open an account online if you do not have a Social Security number or government-issued ID. Immigrants without a Social Security number can open accounts at some banks using an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead, but not all banks accept this. Call ahead to confirm.
If you have been flagged by ChexSystems (a banking history report) for unpaid overdrafts or fraud, some banks will not let you open an account online. You may need to visit a branch and speak to a manager, or open an account at a bank that does not use ChexSystems (some credit unions and online banks skip this check).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it actually take to open an account online?
If your identity verifies when ready, the whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes. If the bank needs to call you for a video verification, add another 5 to 10 minutes. If they mail you a confirmation code, add 3 to 7 business days. Most banks complete the process within 24 hours.
Do I need a minimum balance to keep the account open?
No minimum balance is required to open an account online at most banks. Some accounts have monthly fees if your balance drops below a certain amount or if you do not set up direct deposit, but the account itself does not require you to keep money in it.
Can I use my account the same day I open it?
You can use your account number and routing number the same day for transfers and direct deposit. Your debit card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Some banks offer a temporary digital card number for online purchases while you wait.
What if the bank says I cannot be verified online?
The bank will tell you what to do next — usually uploading additional documents, scheduling a video call, or waiting for a confirmation code in the mail. You can also visit a branch in person if one is nearby, or contact the bank's customer service to ask about other options.
Can I open an account online if I do not have a credit history?
Yes. Banks verify your identity using your Social Security number and government ID, not your credit score. If you have no credit history, the bank may use knowledge-based questions or a video call instead of when ready verification, but you can still open the account online.