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 ask for your date of birth and a phone number. That is the baseline. Some banks add extra steps—a credit check, a review of your banking history through ChexSystems, or questions about the source of your money—but the three items above are what nearly every bank will ask for first.
The specific documents that count as proof vary by bank, but a driver's license or passport works as photo ID at every major bank. For address proof, a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days is standard. If you do not have a utility bill in your name, a bank statement from another bank, a government benefits letter, or a lease signed by you will work at most institutions. Call ahead if you are unsure whether what you have will be accepted.
Some banks will open an account with you in person at a branch, others require you to start online, and a few do both. The route you take affects which documents you need to show physically and which you can upload or mail. Online-only banks typically ask you to photograph your ID and address proof and upload them through their app or website.
Key Takeaways
- You will need a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address dated within 60 days, and your Social Security number or ITIN before any bank will open an account for you.
- A driver's license or passport satisfies the photo ID requirement at all major banks; a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement satisfies the address proof requirement.
- Banks check your history through ChexSystems, a banking database, so if you have unpaid overdrafts or closed accounts in bad standing at other banks, some banks may decline to open an account for you.
- Online banks typically require you to photograph and upload your documents; in-person banks may let you show originals at a branch, which can be faster if your documents are unclear.
- Some banks ask where your opening deposit comes from, especially for large deposits, as part of anti-money-laundering rules; be prepared to explain if asked.
What counts as proof of address and why banks ask for it
Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity and address before opening an account. The address proof must be recent—usually dated within 60 days of your application—because banks need to know where to send statements and where you actually live for tax and fraud purposes.
A utility bill in your name (electric, gas, water, internet) is the easiest proof. If you do not have one, a lease or rental agreement signed by you, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a government benefits letter (Social Security, unemployment, SNAP) will work. Some banks also accept a bank statement from another bank, a credit card statement, or a letter from a government agency with your name and address. A few banks will accept a notarized letter from a landlord or family member if you have no other option, but this is less common and usually requires a phone call to the bank first.
Do not bring a postdated document or one that shows an old address. If you just moved and your utility bill still shows your previous address, bring your lease for the new place instead. If you have nothing in your name yet, ask the bank whether they will accept a letter from your employer, a school enrollment letter, or a government agency letter—policies vary, and calling ahead saves a wasted trip.
How ChexSystems affects whether a bank will open an account for you
Most banks run your name through ChexSystems, a database that tracks banking history. If you have unpaid overdraft fees, closed an account while it was negative, or had a bank report you for fraud or repeated NSF (non-sufficient funds) checks, ChexSystems will have a record. Some banks use this record to decline new accounts; others use it only to flag higher-risk applicants for extra review.
You have the right to see your ChexSystems report before you apply. Visit chexsystems.com and request your report for free. If there is an error—a closed account listed as still open, or a fee you already paid—you can dispute it directly through ChexSystems. Disputes usually take 30 days to resolve.
If ChexSystems shows a problem, you have options. Some banks, particularly credit unions and smaller regional banks, do not use ChexSystems or use it less strictly. Second-chance banking programs, offered by some banks specifically for people with banking history issues, may also open an account for you. These accounts sometimes come with lower limits or higher fees, but they are a real path forward if mainstream banks decline you.
What happens if you do not have a Social Security number
If you are a non-citizen without a Social Security number, you can open a bank account using an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead. An ITIN is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to people who file taxes but do not have a Social Security number. You apply for an ITIN through the IRS using Form W-7; the process takes four to six weeks.
Some banks will open an account while your ITIN application is pending if you show them the receipt from the IRS proving you applied. Others require the ITIN to be issued first. Call the bank you want to use and ask whether they accept ITINs and whether they will open an account while your application is in progress.
A few banks, particularly those in areas with large immigrant populations, have streamlined processes for ITIN holders and do not require a Social Security number at all. If you are having trouble, a local credit union or a community bank is often more flexible than a national chain.
Opening an account online versus in person
Online banks move faster—you can often open an account in 10 to 15 minutes—but they require you to photograph your documents and upload them. Your photo ID and address proof must be clear enough for the bank's system to read them. If your documents are worn, faded, or at an angle, the upload may fail and you will have to try again.
In-person accounts at a branch take longer (you may wait 30 minutes to an hour) but the banker can see your original documents and spot problems immediately. If your address proof is unclear or slightly out of date, a banker can often make a judgment call; an automated system cannot. In-person also works better if you do not have a smartphone or reliable internet to upload documents.
Some banks offer both routes. You can start online and finish in person, or vice versa. If you are unsure which will work for your situation, call the bank's customer service line and describe what documents you have; they can tell you which route is fastest.
What banks ask about the source of your opening deposit
If you are depositing a large sum when you open the account—the threshold varies but is often $10,000 or more—the bank may ask where the money came from. This is part of federal anti-money-laundering rules, not because the bank suspects you of wrongdoing. They simply need to document the source.
Common answers that banks accept without follow-up are: a paycheck, a tax refund, savings you have been building, a gift from family, the sale of a car or other item, or a loan. If the source is unusual or the amount is very large, the bank may ask for supporting documents—a pay stub, a gift letter from the person who gave you the money, or a bill of sale for something you sold. Be straightforward about the source; banks are trained to spot evasion, and it can slow down or block your account opening.
If you are depositing cash, the bank will ask the same question. Depositing cash is legal, but banks must report cash deposits over $10,000 to the IRS. This is routine and does not mean you have done anything wrong.
Minimum deposit and account fees to know about
Most banks require a minimum opening deposit, usually between $25 and $100, though some online banks have no minimum. A few banks waive the minimum if you set up direct deposit of your paycheck. Check the bank's website or call to confirm the minimum before you go in or apply online.
Monthly maintenance fees vary widely. Some banks charge $10 to $15 per month; others charge nothing if you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit. Overdraft fees (charged when you spend more than you have) typically run $30 to $35 per transaction at large banks, though some banks have eliminated overdraft fees entirely. Read the fee schedule before you open the account so you know what to expect.
If you are opening a second-chance account because of ChexSystems issues, expect higher fees and lower balance limits. These accounts are designed to help you rebuild your banking history, and the higher fees reflect the bank's higher risk. Once you have kept the account in good standing for six months to a year, you can often move to a standard account with lower fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account without a photo ID?
No. Federal law requires banks to verify your identity with a government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. If you do not have one, you will need to get one from your state's DMV or your country's passport office before you can open a bank account.
What if my address proof is older than 60 days?
Most banks will not accept it. If you just moved and your utility bill is still in transit or shows your old address, bring your lease or rental agreement instead. If you have nothing recent in your name, call the bank and ask whether they will accept an alternative, such as an employment letter or government benefits statement with your current address.
Can I open an account if I have been declined before?
Yes. If you were declined because of ChexSystems, check your report and dispute any errors. Then look for a second-chance banking program or a credit union, which often have more flexible policies. If you were declined for other reasons, ask the bank why and whether you can reapply after fixing the issue—for example, after paying off an overdraft.
Do I need to bring my Social Security card?
No. You need to provide your Social Security number, but the bank does not need to see the card itself. You can simply tell the banker your number, and they will enter it into the system. If you do not know your number, you can look it up on tax documents, W-2 forms, or by calling the Social Security Administration.
How long does it take to open an account?
Online accounts can be open in 10 to 15 minutes if your documents upload clearly. In-person accounts typically take 30 minutes to an hour. Once the account is open, it may take one to three business days for the account number to be fully activated and for you to be able to use a debit card or transfer money.