Bank of America will open an account for you without an SSN, but you'll need an ITIN or passport instead

Bank of America does not require a Social Security Number to open a checking or savings account. You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a valid passport, or a state ID in place of an SSN. The bank's policy is straightforward: you need one form of government-issued ID and proof of address. Many non-US residents and people without SSNs have opened accounts this way.

The process itself is the same whether you have an SSN or not. You can start online, by phone, or in person at a branch. What changes is which documents you bring and how the bank verifies your identity. The timeline is usually the same—a few minutes online or in-branch, though some accounts take a day or two to fully set up.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America accepts an ITIN, valid passport, or state-issued ID instead of an SSN when you open an account.
  • You will also need proof of your current address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
  • Online account opening works without an SSN if you have a valid passport or ITIN and can verify your address digitally.
  • In-person applications at a branch are often faster if you have documents that are harder to verify online, like a foreign passport.
  • Some account features—like wire transfers or credit products—may have additional verification steps, but a basic checking account opens the same day.

What documents you need instead of an SSN

Bank of America will accept any of these as your primary ID: a valid passport (US or foreign), a state driver's license, a state ID card, or a military ID. If you have an ITIN—which the IRS issues to people who file taxes but don't have an SSN—that works as well. The ID must not be expired, though Bank of America sometimes accepts IDs that expired within the last year if you're opening in person.

For proof of address, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement. It must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill, insurance statement, or government letter also works at most branches. If you're opening online, you'll upload a photo of these documents or answer security questions instead.

If you're a non-US resident without a US address yet, some branches will accept a foreign address on your passport as temporary proof. Call your local branch first to confirm, because policies vary slightly by location.

Opening an account online versus in person

Online account opening is faster if you have a valid passport and can photograph your proof of address clearly. You'll enter your information, upload your ID and address document, and the account usually activates within minutes. Bank of America's system can verify a passport digitally without a phone call. If you're opening from outside the US, online is often your only option because not all branches handle international accounts.

In-person opening at a branch takes 15 to 30 minutes and is better if your documents are difficult to photograph clearly or if English is not your first language and you want to ask questions face-to-face. A teller can also answer questions about which account type fits your situation. Bring originals of your ID and address proof; the branch will make copies.

If you open online and the system cannot verify your documents automatically, Bank of America will call you to confirm your identity. This usually happens within 24 hours. Have your documents ready when you answer.

What happens after you open the account

Your checking or savings account is usually ready to use the same day you open it, whether online or in person. You can set up direct deposit, receive a debit card, and make transfers right away. The debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you opened online; in-person applications sometimes issue a temporary card on the spot.

Some features require extra steps. If you want to send a wire transfer, Bank of America may ask for additional verification of your identity or address. Credit products like a credit card or line of credit have their own approval process and may require an SSN or ITIN plus a credit history check. But a basic deposit account opens without any of that.

If you're a non-US resident, your account will be flagged for compliance purposes—this is normal and does not affect how you use it. Bank of America may ask you to confirm your employment status or source of funds at some point, especially if you're moving money in and out frequently. This is standard anti-money-laundering procedure, not a sign of a problem.

Getting an ITIN if you don't have one

An ITIN is issued by the IRS to people who need a tax ID but are not may be able to access for an SSN. You can get one by filing a tax return with Form 1040 and Form W-7 (process for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). You don't have to have earned income to get an ITIN—you can file even if you had no income that year, just to establish the number.

The process takes 4 to 6 weeks by mail or about 2 weeks if you explore in person at an IRS office. Once you have the ITIN, it's permanent and works the same way an SSN does for banking purposes. Many people without SSNs get an ITIN specifically so they can open a bank account and build a financial record in the US.

If you don't have an ITIN yet and need to open a bank account right away, use your passport instead. You can get an ITIN later and update your account information with Bank of America if you want to.

Limits and restrictions on accounts without an SSN

A basic checking or savings account has no restrictions based on whether you used an SSN or ITIN. You can deposit money, withdraw it, set up automatic payments, and use your debit card normally. The account works exactly the same as any other Bank of America account.

What does change is access to credit products. Bank of America cannot issue you a credit card or personal loan without an SSN or ITIN, because those products require a credit check. If you have an ITIN, you may be able to get a credit card after you've had the account open for a few months and have a deposit history. If you only have a passport, you'll need to get an ITIN first if you want credit products later.

Wire transfers and international transfers sometimes require extra verification steps, but they're not blocked. Bank of America may ask you to come into a branch or provide additional documentation the first time you send a large wire. This is a compliance requirement, not a restriction on your account.

Common problems and how to avoid them

The most common issue is uploading a blurry photo of your ID or address proof when you open online. Make sure the document is well-lit, fully visible, and readable. If the system rejects it, you'll get an email asking you to resubmit. It's faster to get it right the first time than to wait for a callback.

Another issue is using an address that doesn't match your ID. If your passport shows one address and your utility bill shows another, Bank of America will ask which one is current. Bring both documents if they don't match, and be ready to explain the difference—a recent move, for example, is not a problem.

If you're opening from outside the US, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. Some banks require this; Bank of America's policy varies by branch, so call ahead. Also, if you're opening remotely and the system cannot verify your address (because it's a foreign address), the bank may ask you to come into a US branch in person or provide a notarized copy of your address proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Bank of America account with just a passport and no other ID?

Yes. A valid passport is sufficient as your primary ID. You'll still need proof of your current address—a utility bill, lease, or bank statement—but the passport alone covers the identity requirement. If you're opening online, make sure you can photograph both documents clearly.

What if my passport is from another country?

Bank of America accepts foreign passports. It must be valid (not expired) and readable. If you're opening in person, bring the original. If you're opening online, photograph both the photo page and any pages with your address or visa stamps. The bank may ask follow-up questions about your immigration status, which is normal.

Do I need a US address to open an account?

You need a current address, but it doesn't have to be in the US. If you're opening in person at a US branch, you can use a foreign address on your passport as temporary proof. If you're opening online, the system may not accept a foreign address—in that case, open in person at a branch instead.

How long does it take to get a debit card if I don't have an SSN?

The timeline is the same as for anyone else: 7 to 10 business days by mail if you open online, or same-day if you open in person and the branch issues a temporary card. The lack of an SSN doesn't slow down the card process.

Can I use my ITIN to open a credit card later?

Yes, but usually only after you've had a checking or savings account open for several months and have a deposit history. Bank of America will run a credit check using your ITIN. If you have no US credit history, approval may be difficult. A secured credit card (backed by a deposit) is often easier to get as a first step.