USAA membership is restricted to military families, not open to the general public
You cannot open a USAA bank account unless you meet their membership requirements. USAA is a financial cooperative owned by its members, and membership is limited to people with a military connection. That means you must be on active duty, retired from the military, a veteran with a discharge that was not dishonorable, or a spouse or dependent of someone in one of those categories.
If you do not have a military connection yourself, you may still be able to join if a family member does. A spouse of an active-duty service member or veteran can open an account. Adult children of members can also join in some cases, though the rules for dependents vary depending on your age and whether you are claimed as a dependent on a parent's taxes.
USAA does not accept applications from civilians with no military affiliation. If you do not meet the membership requirements, you will need to choose a different bank or credit union.
Key Takeaways
- USAA membership requires active-duty service, veteran status, or being a spouse or dependent of someone with military service.
- A dishonorable discharge disqualifies you from USAA membership, but other discharge types do not.
- Spouses of active-duty service members and veterans can open accounts even if they have no military service themselves.
- Adult dependents may join under certain conditions, but the rules depend on your age and tax status.
- If you do not meet USAA's membership requirements, you will need to bank elsewhere.
How to verify your military connection
When you apply for a USAA account, you will need to provide proof of your military status or your family member's status. USAA uses the Defense Enrollment may be able to access Reporting System (DEERS) to verify active-duty and retired service members. If you are a veteran, you may need to provide your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) or a Veterans Health Identification Card.
If you are applying as a spouse or dependent, you will need to show your relationship to the service member or veteran. This usually means a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption papers. USAA may also ask for a copy of the military member's discharge papers or military ID to confirm their status.
The verification process happens during your application. If USAA cannot confirm your military connection through DEERS or your documents, your application will be denied. You can reapply if you gather the correct paperwork.
What discharge status qualifies you
A dishonorable discharge is the only discharge type that bars you from USAA membership. All other discharge categories—honorable, general, other than honorable, and bad conduct—do not prevent you from joining.
If you received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions, you meet USAA's requirements. Even if your discharge was marked "other than honorable" or you received a bad conduct discharge, you can still open an account. The key is that your discharge papers must show you were not dishonorably discharged.
Spouse and dependent may be able to access
A spouse of an active-duty service member or veteran can open a USAA account without having served in the military. You will need to provide your marriage certificate and your spouse's military documentation to prove the relationship and their status.
Dependent children may also join USAA, but the rules depend on your age. If you are under 18 and claimed as a dependent on your parent's taxes, you can open an account with a parent or guardian. If you are 18 or older, you may still be able to join if you are still claimed as a dependent, but USAA's rules on this can change. Contact USAA directly to confirm whether you may have access to as an adult dependent.
Divorced spouses of veterans or active-duty service members do not automatically retain USAA membership. If you were a member during the marriage, you may be able to keep your account, but you cannot open a new account after a divorce unless you meet the membership requirements on your own.
What happens if your application is denied
If USAA denies your application, they will send you a letter explaining why. The most common reason is that your military connection could not be verified. If this happens, gather the correct documents and contact USAA to ask whether you can reapply.
If you were denied because you do not meet the membership requirements, you cannot reapply unless your situation changes—for example, if you marry someone with military service or you yourself join the military.
If you believe USAA made an error in verifying your military status, ask them to review your application again. Bring any additional documentation that proves your connection to the military, such as a military ID, discharge papers, or a letter from your service branch.
Banking alternatives if you do not may have access to
If you cannot open a USAA account, you have other options. Traditional banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo accept customers with no military affiliation and offer checking and savings accounts online. Credit unions in your area may also accept new members, though some have their own membership requirements based on where you work or live.
Online banks such as Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover often have no monthly fees and competitive interest rates on savings accounts. They do not require a military connection and accept applications from anyone with a Social Security number and a valid address in the United States.
If you are looking for low fees and good customer service, compare a few banks before you choose. Read reviews from current customers and check whether each bank offers the features you need, such as mobile check deposit, no overdraft fees, or access to ATMs near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a USAA account if my spouse is military but I am not?
Yes. Spouses of active-duty service members and veterans can open USAA accounts. You will need to provide your marriage certificate and your spouse's military documentation to prove your relationship and their status.
What if I was dishonorably discharged?
A dishonorable discharge disqualifies you from USAA membership. You cannot open an account with USAA. Other discharge types, including general and other than honorable, do not prevent you from joining.
Can my adult child open a USAA account if I am a member?
Adult children may join USAA if they are still claimed as dependents on their parent's taxes, but the rules vary. Contact USAA directly to confirm whether your adult child qualifies, as their may be able to access depends on your specific situation.
What documents do I need to prove my military status?
You will typically need your DD Form 214 (discharge papers), a military ID, or a Veterans Health Identification Card. If you are active duty, USAA can verify your status through the Defense Enrollment may be able to access Reporting System. Spouses and dependents must provide marriage or birth certificates along with the military member's documents.
If I was denied, can I reapply later?
You can reapply if you gather the correct documentation to verify your military connection. If you were denied because you do not meet the membership requirements, you cannot reapply unless your situation changes—such as marrying someone with military service.