The documents and information banks require before you can open an account

To open a bank account, you need a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Most banks also want to know your employment status and income, though they do not require you to be employed. Some banks will ask about your banking history—whether you have had accounts closed for overdrafts or fraud—through a system called ChexSystems.

The exact list varies by bank. A large national bank like Chase or Bank of America has stricter requirements than a credit union or online bank. Some banks will open an account with just an ID and Social Security number. Others want a utility bill, a lease, or a recent bank statement from another institution. A few will work with you if you have no ID at all, though this is rare and usually costs more in fees.

You do not need a minimum deposit to open most checking or savings accounts anymore, though some banks still require $25 to $100. You do not need a job offer letter or recent pay stub, though banks may ask about your income to flag accounts that look suspicious to federal regulators.

Key Takeaways

  • Every bank requires a government photo ID and your Social Security number or ITIN before opening an account.
  • Proof of your current address—usually a utility bill, lease, or government mail—is standard at most banks but not all.
  • Banks check ChexSystems, a database of closed accounts and fraud, so past account closures may block you from opening a new one at some institutions.
  • Online banks and credit unions often have looser requirements than national chains, and some will open accounts with minimal documentation.
  • You do not need employment, a minimum deposit, or a perfect banking history to open an account, though some banks charge higher fees if your history is poor.

What counts as proof of identity

A government-issued photo ID means a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Banks will not accept a school ID, work badge, or library card. If you do not have a driver's license or passport, you can get a state ID card from your state's DMV—this is the fastest route if you need an ID quickly.

Some banks will accept an expired ID if it expired within the last few years, though this varies. A few banks will work with a passport card instead of a full passport. If you are opening an account in person at a branch, the teller will scan or photocopy your ID. If you are opening online, you will upload a photo of both the front and back.

If you do not have a photo ID at all, you have limited options. Some credit unions and a handful of online banks will open accounts using alternative documents—a birth certificate, Social Security card, and utility bill together, for example—but these banks are uncommon and often charge monthly fees of $10 to $15. Your local credit union is the best place to start if you have no photo ID.

Proof of address and what documents work

Banks need to know where you live. A utility bill—electric, gas, water, or internet—dated within the last 60 days is the standard proof. A lease or rental agreement works too. So does a recent bank statement from another bank, a mortgage statement, or government mail (tax documents, Social Security statements, unemployment notices).

The document must have your name and current address printed on it. A piece of mail addressed to you at your current address, even if it is junk mail, usually counts. A cell phone bill typically does not, because phone companies do not always print your service address on the bill itself.

If you are homeless or living with family and have no mail in your name, some banks will accept a letter from a shelter, a social services agency, or a family member confirming your address. Ask the bank what they will accept before you gather documents. Online banks sometimes skip the address requirement entirely if you provide a phone number and email they can verify.

Your Social Security number or ITIN

Banks are required by federal law to collect your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). They use this to report interest you earn and to check whether you have unpaid tax debts or child support obligations. The bank will not share this number with other banks or creditors—it stays in their system.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you have an SSN. If you are not a citizen but work or pay taxes in the U.S., you may have an ITIN, which the IRS issues. Some banks will open accounts for people with an ITIN; others will not. If you do not have either, you cannot open a traditional bank account, though some credit unions and immigrant-focused banks have workarounds.

Do not worry about providing your SSN—banks handle millions of them every day and are required to protect them. The risk of identity theft from giving your SSN to a bank is far lower than the risk of not having a bank account and carrying cash.

ChexSystems checks and your banking history

ChexSystems is a database that tracks closed bank accounts, overdrafts, and fraud. Most banks check it before opening a new account. If you have had an account closed because you overdrew it repeatedly, wrote bad checks, or committed fraud, that closure stays in ChexSystems for five years. Some banks will still open an account for you; others will decline.

You can check your own ChexSystems report for free at www.chexsystems.com. If there is an error—an account you did not open, or a closure you dispute—you can file a complaint with ChexSystems and they will investigate. This takes 30 to 45 days.

If you are blocked from opening an account because of ChexSystems, your options are to wait five years for the record to drop off, or to open an account at a bank that does not check ChexSystems. Some credit unions, online banks, and banks that serve people with poor banking histories do not run ChexSystems checks. These banks often charge higher monthly fees ($10 to $15) or require a larger minimum deposit, but they will work with you.

Employment and income information

Banks ask about your job and income, but they do not require you to be employed. If you are unemployed, retired, a student, or receive disability or unemployment benefits, you can say so. The bank is asking to understand your account activity and to comply with anti-money-laundering rules—they need to know whether large deposits look normal for you or suspicious.

You do not need to provide a pay stub, offer letter, or tax return. If the bank asks for proof of income and you do not have recent pay stubs, you can show a bank statement from another account, a benefits letter from Social Security or unemployment, or a letter from your employer. Many banks will open an account without any proof at all—they just want you to tell them.

If you receive cash income (tips, gig work, informal jobs), you can still open an account. Tell the bank you receive cash income. They may ask you to estimate how much you deposit per month, but they will not turn you down for it.

Minimum deposits and account fees

Most banks no longer require a minimum deposit to open a checking or savings account. You can open an account with $0 and deposit money later. Some banks still require $25 to $100, and a few online banks require $500 or more for premium accounts, but these are exceptions.

Monthly maintenance fees vary widely. Many national banks charge $10 to $15 per month unless you meet conditions like keeping a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit. Credit unions and online banks often have no monthly fee at all. Banks that serve people with poor credit or banking history charge $10 to $15 per month because they expect higher fraud and overdraft costs.

Before you open an account, check the fee schedule. Some banks waive fees if you set up direct deposit of your paycheck, or if you keep a certain balance. Others charge overdraft fees ($25 to $35 per overdraft) that can add up fast. An online bank with no monthly fee and no overdraft fees may be cheaper than a branch bank even if you have to wait a few days for deposits to clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account without a Social Security number?

No, not at a traditional bank. Federal law requires banks to collect an SSN or ITIN. If you have an ITIN, some banks and credit unions will open an account for you. If you have neither, a few immigrant-focused credit unions and community banks may have alternatives, but these are rare. Contact your local credit union to ask.

What if I have been banned from ChexSystems?

You are not "banned"—your account closure is recorded for five years. After five years, it drops off and you can open an account anywhere. Until then, look for banks and credit unions that do not check ChexSystems. Many online banks and credit unions skip the check. You will likely pay higher fees, but you can open an account.

Do I need a minimum deposit to open an account?

Most banks do not require one anymore. You can open an account with $0. Some banks still require $25 to $100, and premium accounts may require $500 or more. Check the bank's website or call before you go in.

Can I open an account if I am homeless?

Yes. You need an ID and proof of address. If you have no permanent address, some banks will accept a letter from a shelter or social services agency confirming where you are staying. A few banks will skip the address requirement if you can provide a phone number and email. Call ahead and ask what the bank will accept.

How long does it take to open an account?

In person at a branch, it takes 15 to 30 minutes. Online, it takes 5 to 10 minutes, though the bank may hold your account for 24 to 48 hours while they verify your information. You can usually start using a debit card or making transfers within one business day.