What You Need Before You Walk In
You need a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number or ITIN. That is the baseline for any bank or credit union in the United States. Some institutions also ask for a second form of ID or a utility bill dated within the last 60 days. Call ahead or check the bank's website to see what they specifically require — it takes two minutes and saves you a wasted trip.
If you do not have a Social Security number, you can open an account with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) issued by the IRS. Not all banks accept ITINs, so confirm this before you go. Credit unions are often more flexible on this than large national banks.
Bring originals, not copies. Banks will not accept photocopies of your ID or address proof. If your address on your ID is outdated, bring the ID plus a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement showing your current address.
Key Takeaways
- You need a photo ID, proof of address, and your Social Security number or ITIN before you open an account — call the bank first to confirm what they accept.
- The entire process takes 15 to 30 minutes in person, or you can open many accounts online in under 10 minutes without leaving home.
- You will choose between checking, savings, or both, and decide whether you want a debit card and what monthly fees (if any) apply to your account type.
- The bank will run a ChexSystems check, which is a banking history report — if you have unpaid overdrafts or fraud flags from another bank, some banks will deny you.
- Your account is usually active the same day, but transfers from other banks take one to three business days to arrive.
Opening an Account in Person at a Branch
Walk into any branch during business hours with your documents. Tell the banker you want to open a new account. They will ask whether you want checking, savings, or both. Checking accounts are for regular spending and bill payments. Savings accounts earn interest (usually a small amount) and are meant for money you are not spending right away. Most people open both.
The banker will show you the account options available at that bank. Different account types have different monthly fees, minimum balances, and perks. Some accounts are free if you keep a certain balance or set up direct deposit. Others charge $10 to $15 per month no matter what. Ask about the fee structure before you commit — it matters if you are living paycheck to paycheck.
You will sign paperwork, provide your documents, and the banker will run a ChexSystems report. This is a banking history check that shows whether you have unpaid overdrafts, closed accounts with negative balances, or fraud flags at other banks. If your report is clear, your account opens immediately. If there are issues, the bank may deny you or ask you to pay off old debts first.
You can order a debit card on the spot. It usually arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Some banks offer a temporary digital card you can use right away while you wait for the physical card.
Opening an Account Online
Many banks and most online-only banks let you open an account entirely on their website or app. The process is faster — usually 5 to 10 minutes — and you never leave home. You upload photos of your ID and proof of address using your phone camera, enter your Social Security number, and answer security questions.
Online banks often have lower fees and higher interest rates on savings because they do not pay for physical branches. The trade-off is that you cannot walk into a location if you need help. Some online banks partner with ATM networks so you can withdraw cash for free at thousands of locations. Check this before you open an account if you use cash regularly.
Your account is usually active within hours. You can transfer money in from another bank account right away, though the transfer itself takes one to three business days. You will not get a physical debit card for 7 to 10 days, but most online banks give you a temporary digital card number you can use immediately for online purchases or contactless payments.
What Happens After You Open the Account
Your account number and routing number are ready to use the same day. You can set up direct deposit, automatic bill payments, or transfers from another bank immediately. If you are moving money from an old bank, initiate the transfer from your new bank's website — do not wait for the old bank to send it. Transfers initiated by the receiving bank are faster and more reliable.
Your debit card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. When it arrives, you will need to activate it by calling the number on the card or using the bank's app. Some banks activate it automatically; others require you to do it yourself before you can use it.
Set up online banking and mobile app access as soon as your account is open. This lets you check your balance, transfer money, pay bills, and dispute fraudulent charges without calling the bank. Most banks let you set this up during the account-opening process.
If the Bank Denies You
Banks can deny you based on your ChexSystems report. Common reasons include unpaid overdraft fees from a previous account, a history of bounced checks, or fraud flags. If you are denied, ask the bank which reason led to the denial. You have the right to know.
Request a copy of your ChexSystems report. You can get it free from ChexSystems directly at chexsystems.com. If there are errors on the report — a closed account listed as open, or overdrafts you already paid — you can dispute them. ChexSystems has 30 days to investigate.
If your report is accurate but you were denied, try a credit union instead of a bank. Credit unions are often more lenient with people who have banking history issues. Some credit unions will open an account for anyone who lives or works in their service area, regardless of ChexSystems. You can search for credit unions near you at co-opsharedbranch.org.
Choosing Between a Bank and a Credit Union
Banks are for-profit institutions owned by shareholders. Credit unions are nonprofit and owned by their members. In practice, this means credit unions often have lower fees, higher savings rates, and more flexible lending. Banks usually have more branches and ATMs, which matters if you travel or need in-person service often.
Both are insured by the federal government up to $250,000 per account type. If the institution fails, your money is protected. Banks are insured by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). Credit unions are insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration). The protection is identical.
If you have no banking history or a damaged ChexSystems report, start with a credit union. If you need lots of branches and ATMs, choose a large national bank. If you want the lowest fees and highest interest rates and do not need physical locations, choose an online bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to open a bank account?
In person, 15 to 30 minutes. Online, 5 to 10 minutes. Your account is active the same day either way, though transfers from other banks take one to three business days to arrive.
Can I open an account without a Social Security number?
Yes, with an ITIN issued by the IRS. Not all banks accept ITINs — credit unions are more likely to. Call ahead to confirm before you visit.
What if I do not have a photo ID?
Most banks will not open an account without one. If you do not have a driver's license or passport, get a state ID card from your DMV first. This usually takes one to two weeks.
Do I have to keep a minimum balance?
It depends on the account type and the bank. Some accounts are free with no minimum. Others require you to keep $500 or $1,000 in the account to avoid monthly fees. Ask about this before you open the account.
What if I want to close the account later?
Call the bank or visit a branch and ask to close it. Withdraw or transfer any remaining balance first. The bank will close it immediately. Make sure you have moved any automatic payments or direct deposits to another account before you close it.