The documents banks ask for most often

Most banks need two things from you to open a checking account: proof of who you are, and proof of where you live. A driver's license or passport covers identity. For address, a utility bill, lease, or recent bank statement works. Some banks will accept a government ID with your current address printed on it and skip the second document entirely.

Beyond those basics, banks vary. Some ask for a Social Security number or tax ID. Others want to know your employment status or income level. A few will request a reference from another bank you've used. The exact list depends on the bank's own rules and federal requirements around money laundering and fraud prevention.

If you don't have standard documents—no driver's license, no utility bill in your name—most banks have workarounds. You can use a passport, a state ID card, a tribal ID, or a military ID for identity. For address, you can bring a lease, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, insurance paperwork, or a letter from a government agency. Some banks will even accept mail from a shelter or transitional housing program if that's where you're living.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need one form of government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID) and one document showing your current address.
  • Address documents can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, insurance bill, or property tax notice—anything recent with your name and address on it.
  • Banks also typically ask for your Social Security number, but if you don't have one, you can request an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS instead.
  • If you lack standard documents, bring whatever ID you have plus any mail or official paperwork showing where you live; many banks have alternative pathways.
  • Call the bank before you go in to confirm their specific list, because requirements vary between institutions and sometimes between branches of the same bank.

Identity documents the bank will accept

A driver's license is the most common form of ID banks ask for. It has your photo, signature, and usually your current address. If your address on the license is outdated, bring a second document showing your new address.

If you don't drive, a state ID card works the same way. Most states issue them through the DMV for the same cost as a license renewal. A passport or passport card is also accepted at every bank, though it won't have your address on it, so you'll need a separate address document. A military ID, tribal ID, or government employee ID will work at most banks.

Some banks accept a permanent resident card (green card) or a visa paired with a passport. A few will take a state-issued ID for non-drivers, which some states offer to people who can't or don't want to get a driver's license. If you're under 18, a school ID usually won't work on its own, but a parent or guardian's ID plus a birth certificate often will.

The ID needs to be current or only recently expired—most banks won't accept an ID that expired more than a few years ago. If your ID is expired and you can't renew it before opening the account, call the bank first and ask whether they'll make an exception.

Address documents and what counts

Banks need proof that you live where you say you do. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone) in your name is the standard choice. It needs to be recent—usually from the last 60 to 90 days. A lease or rental agreement works even if it's older, as long as it's still active. A mortgage statement or property tax bill shows you own the place.

A bank or credit card statement from another bank counts as address proof. So does an insurance bill (auto, home, or renter's). A government letter—from the IRS, Social Security Administration, unemployment office, or your state—with your name and address on it will work. Some banks accept mail from a school you're currently attending or a letter from an employer on company letterhead.

If you're homeless or living in temporary housing, bring whatever you have: a shelter letter with your name and the shelter's address, a transitional housing agreement, or mail addressed to you at that location. Call ahead and tell the bank your situation; many have policies that allow them to work with you.

The address document doesn't have to match your ID exactly—if your ID says "123 Main Street" and your utility bill says "123 Main St," that's fine. But if the addresses are completely different, the bank will ask questions. Be ready to explain if you've moved recently.

Social Security number and tax ID alternatives

Banks are required by federal law to ask for your Social Security number (SSN) when you open an account. They use it to check your banking history and report account activity to the IRS. If you have an SSN, bring it or be ready to recite it.

If you don't have an SSN, you can get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS. An ITIN is a nine-digit number that works like an SSN for tax and banking purposes. You apply for one by filing Form W-7 with the IRS; the process takes about two to four weeks. Some banks will open an account while your ITIN application is pending if you show them the receipt proving you've filed.

If you're not a U.S. citizen and don't have an SSN or ITIN, some banks will still open an account using your passport number or visa number instead. Call ahead to confirm the bank will do this, because policies vary widely.

What to bring in person versus online

If you're opening an account in a branch, bring the original documents—your ID and address proof. The banker will look at them, verify they're real, and make copies for the bank's file. You don't need to bring copies yourself, though it doesn't hurt.

Online account openings work differently. You'll upload photos of both sides of your ID and a photo of your address document. Make sure the photos are clear, well-lit, and show all four corners of the document. The bank's system will read them automatically, then a person will review them. This usually takes a few minutes to a few hours, though some banks take up to a business day.

If the bank can't read your uploaded photos clearly, it will ask you to resubmit or to come into a branch instead. If you're opening an account online and the bank needs to verify your identity in real time, it may ask you to do a video call with a banker who will look at your documents on camera.

Documents you might need for specific situations

If you're opening an account for a business, bring your Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security number, your business license or articles of incorporation, and a government ID. Some banks also want a business tax return or a letter from the IRS showing your EIN was issued.

If you're opening a joint account with someone else, both people need to bring ID and address proof. Some banks require both account holders to be present in person; others allow one person to open the account and add the other person later.

If you're a minor (under 18), a parent or guardian usually needs to be present and bring their own ID. Some banks require the minor to have their own ID as well; others don't. A few banks offer teen accounts that can be opened by a parent without the teen present.

If you're opening an account as a representative for someone else—as a power of attorney, conservator, or guardian—bring your ID, the other person's ID, and the legal document that gives you authority (power of attorney, conservatorship order, or guardianship papers).

What happens if you don't have the documents

If you show up without an ID, the bank cannot open an account for you. Federal law requires it. But you can come back once you have one. Getting a state ID takes a few weeks at most; you can apply at your local DMV with a birth certificate and proof of address.

If you have an ID but no address proof, ask the bank whether it will accept an alternative. Many will take a letter from a social service agency, a school, or an employer. If the bank won't budge, get a utility bill in your name (you can often do this online or by phone) or ask a friend or family member if you can use their address temporarily while you sort out your own situation.

If you don't have a Social Security number and can't get an ITIN quickly, some banks will let you open an account using your passport or visa number instead, then update it to an SSN or ITIN later. Call the bank and ask what it can do for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a checking account with just a passport?

Yes, but you'll need a second document showing your address. A passport has your photo and signature but not your current address. Bring a utility bill, lease, bank statement, or any recent mail with your name and address on it, and you're set.

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

Bring originals to a branch—the banker needs to see and verify them in person. For online accounts, you'll upload photos of both sides of your documents. The bank will make its own copies; you don't need to provide them.

What if my address on my ID doesn't match where I actually live?

Bring a second document showing your current address. The bank will use that to update your file. You don't need to update your ID first, though you can if you want to.

Can I open an account if I'm not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. Bring a passport or visa, a valid ID from your home country, or a state ID if you have one. For the Social Security number, use your ITIN if you have one, or ask the bank whether it will accept your passport number instead.

How long does it take to open an account once I have all the documents?

In a branch, it usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Online, it can be instant, or it may take a few hours to a business day while the bank verifies your documents. Some banks send you a debit card in the mail, which takes another 7 to 10 business days to arrive.