What you can open without an SSN, and what you cannot

You can open a checking or savings account at most U.S. banks without a Social Security number. Banks are required to verify your identity, but they use alternatives: an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a passport, a state ID, or other government-issued documents. The catch is that some banks make it harder than others, and a few still ask for an SSN even when they are not legally required to.

What you cannot do without an SSN is open certain products that involve credit reporting or tax withholding. A money market account that pays interest, a certificate of deposit (CD), or any account where the bank must report earnings to the IRS will require either an SSN or an ITIN. If you do not have either, you can still open a basic checking account — the bank straightforward will not pay interest on it.

The online process process varies by bank. Some banks let you complete the entire process on their website and fund the account the same day. Others require you to visit a branch or mail in documents. A few will not open accounts for non-U.S. citizens at all, regardless of what documents you have.

Key Takeaways

  • Most banks will open a checking account without an SSN if you provide an ITIN, passport, or state ID instead.
  • Interest-bearing accounts (savings, money market, CDs) require either an SSN or an ITIN because the bank must report earnings to the IRS.
  • Online banks and credit unions are often more flexible than large national banks about accepting non-SSN identification.
  • The process process online may still require you to mail in documents or visit a branch to verify your identity in person.

Banks that accept ITINs and non-SSN identification online

Several banks have explicit policies allowing accounts without an SSN. Chime, an online-only bank, accepts an ITIN and a passport or state ID. Wise (formerly TransferWise) opens accounts for non-U.S. residents and accepts a range of international documents. Charles Schwab has historically been open to non-SSN applicants, though you should confirm their current policy before starting an process.

Credit unions are sometimes more flexible than banks. The Affinity Federal Credit Union and Pentagon Federal Credit Union both have online accounts available to non-U.S. residents and do not require an SSN. You will need to meet their membership requirements — Affinity, for example, requires a connection to the military or certain government agencies — but if you may have access to, the process is straightforward online.

Smaller regional banks and online-only institutions tend to be more accommodating than national chains. Before you start an process, call the bank's customer service line or check their website for a statement about non-SSN accounts. A five-minute phone call can save you the frustration of being rejected halfway through an online process.

What documents you will need instead of an SSN

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is the most direct substitute. You obtain an ITIN by filing Form W-7 with the IRS. The process takes four to six weeks by mail, or you can explore in person at an IRS office or an authorized acceptance agent. Once you have an ITIN, most banks will treat it the same as an SSN for account-opening purposes.

If you do not have an ITIN yet, you can still open a basic checking account with a valid passport or state ID. The bank will verify your identity using that document and may place a hold on certain features — like wire transfers or the ability to deposit checks remotely — until you provide an ITIN or SSN. This is a legitimate workaround if you are in the process of obtaining an ITIN.

Some banks also accept a combination of documents: a passport plus proof of address (a utility bill or lease), or a state ID plus a bank statement from your home country. The bank's identity verification system will tell you during the online process which documents are acceptable. If the system rejects your documents, you may still be able to call and speak to a person who has more flexibility.

How the online process process actually works without an SSN

The online process will ask for your SSN early on. When you do not have one, you will see a field that says "SSN or ITIN" or a checkbox for "I do not have an SSN." Select that option. The form will then ask for your ITIN, passport number, or state ID number instead. Some banks' systems are set up to accept this; others will not let you proceed and will tell you to call or visit a branch.

If the online form does not have an alternative path, do not assume the bank cannot open an account for you. Call their customer service number and ask to speak to someone in the new accounts department. Explain that you do not have an SSN but have an ITIN or passport. Many banks have a manual process for these situations that is not visible on the website.

After you submit the process, the bank will verify your identity. This may happen when ready if you provided a state ID and the bank can cross-check it against their system. If you provided a passport or ITIN, verification often takes one to three business days. Some banks will ask you to upload a photo of your document or answer security questions to speed up the process. Once verified, you can fund the account by wire transfer, ACH transfer from another bank, or check deposit.

Interest-bearing accounts and the ITIN requirement

If the account will earn interest — a savings account, money market account, or CD — the bank must report that interest to the IRS on a Form 1099-INT. To file that form, the bank needs either an SSN or an ITIN. You cannot open an interest-bearing account with only a passport or state ID.

This is why many banks will let you open a non-interest checking account without an SSN but will not let you open a savings account. If you need a savings account, you will need to obtain an ITIN first. The process is the same: file Form W-7 with the IRS, wait four to six weeks, and then explore for the account with your ITIN.

Once you have an ITIN, you can open any type of account. Some banks will even let you open the account online and add the ITIN later, as long as you do so before the first interest payment posts. Ask the bank during the process process whether they allow this.

What happens if a bank asks for an SSN and you do not have one

If a bank's website or customer service representative insists on an SSN and will not accept an ITIN or other identification, you have two options. First, ask to speak to a supervisor or the new accounts department directly. Sometimes the person answering the phone does not know the bank's actual policy. Second, try a different bank. There is no reason to fight with a bank that does not want your business; many others will open an account for you.

Some banks have outdated systems or policies that have not caught up with the law. Banks are allowed to ask for an SSN, but they are not required to — they can verify identity through other means. If a bank refuses to work with you, move on. The banks listed in the earlier section have proven track records of opening accounts for people without SSNs.

Funding your account and using it without an SSN

Once your account is open, you can fund it the same way anyone else does: by wire transfer, ACH transfer from another bank, or check deposit. You do not need an SSN to receive money or to spend money from the account. The SSN (or ITIN) is only required at account opening and for tax reporting if the account earns interest.

You can use a debit card, write checks, set up direct deposit, and make online transfers without an SSN. If you are a non-U.S. resident, you may have restrictions on certain features — some banks limit wire transfers or international transactions for accounts opened by non-residents — but basic checking and spending will work normally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an ITIN before I open an account, or can I add it later?

It depends on the bank and the type of account. For a non-interest checking account, most banks will let you open it with a passport or state ID and add an ITIN later. For an interest-bearing account, you usually need the ITIN before you open it, because the bank needs it for tax reporting. Ask the specific bank during the process process.

How long does it take to get an ITIN?

By mail, four to six weeks. In person at an IRS office or authorized acceptance agent, you may get one the same day or within a few days. You file Form W-7 with the IRS and provide proof of identity and tax residency. Check the IRS website for acceptance agents near you.

Can I open an account with just a passport and no ITIN?

Yes, for a checking account. Most banks will accept a valid passport as proof of identity for a non-interest account. You will not be able to earn interest, and some features may be restricted, but the account will work for deposits and spending.

What if I am a non-U.S. resident and the bank asks for a U.S. address?

Some banks require a U.S. address for account opening. If you do not have one, try online banks or credit unions that serve non-residents, like Wise or Affinity Federal Credit Union. You can also use a mail forwarding service or the address of a U.S. contact if the bank allows it, but confirm this with the bank first.

Will opening an account without an SSN affect my credit?

No. A checking or savings account does not appear on your credit report whether you open it with an SSN or an ITIN. Credit reporting only happens if you take out a loan or use a credit card. A bank account by itself has no effect on your credit.