You can open a bank account as soon as you have a valid ID and proof of address, but the minimum age and exact requirements vary by bank and account type

Most banks let you open an account at 18 with a government-issued ID and a recent utility bill or lease. Some banks allow minors to open accounts with a parent or guardian present, starting as young as 13 or 14, though the adult remains responsible for the account. A few banks have no stated minimum age if a parent co-signs. The real constraint is not age alone—it is having the documents the bank requires and, if you are under 18, having an adult willing to be on the account with you.

The timeline from walking in to having a usable account is usually the same day for in-person applications, or one to three business days if you open online. Some banks hold new accounts for a few days before you can withdraw cash or transfer money out, a practice called a hold period. This is not a delay in opening—the account exists—but a delay in full access.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be 18 to open an account alone; minors need a parent or guardian on the account, and the adult's name appears on statements and holds legal responsibility.
  • Bring a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and proof of current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).
  • In-person accounts open the same day; online accounts take one to three business days before the account is fully active and you can move money.
  • Some banks impose a hold period of three to five business days on new accounts before you can withdraw or transfer funds, even though the account itself is open.
  • If you have been reported to ChexSystems or have unpaid overdrafts at another bank, some banks will decline you, though second-chance accounts exist at specific institutions.

Age requirements and who can open an account

You must be 18 years old to open a bank account in your name alone. If you are under 18, the bank will require a parent or legal guardian to co-sign and appear on the account. The adult's Social Security number, ID, and address go on file, and the adult is legally responsible for the account—meaning they can be held liable for overdrafts or fraud, and they receive all statements and notices.

Some banks allow minors as young as 13 to open accounts with a parent present. Others set the minimum at 14 or 16. A few banks, including some credit unions, offer custodial accounts where a parent controls the account until the child turns 18 or 21, at which point the account converts to the child's sole name. Call the bank directly or check their website for the exact age cutoff, because it varies widely and changes by institution.

If you are 18 or older but have no ID, you cannot open an account at a traditional bank. Credit unions and some online banks may work with you if you bring other documents—a Social Security card, birth certificate, and proof of address—but this is rare. If you have no ID at all, your first step is to get one: a state ID card (not a driver's license) costs $15 to $50 depending on your state and takes one to two weeks to arrive.

Documents you need to bring or upload

Every bank requires two things: proof of identity and proof of current address. A government-issued ID means a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. A school ID or work badge does not count. The ID must not be expired, though some banks accept IDs expired within the last year.

Proof of address must be dated within the last 60 days and show your full name and current street address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet), lease agreement, mortgage statement, or recent bank statement all work. A piece of mail from your bank or credit card company also counts. A PO box does not—you need a street address. If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, bring a signed letter from them stating you live there, plus the bill itself.

If you are opening an account online, you will upload photos of both documents. Make sure the photos are clear, show all four corners of the document, and are in color. If the photo is blurry or cuts off part of the document, the bank will ask you to resubmit, which adds one to two days to the process.

If you are opening an account in person, bring the physical documents. The bank will make copies. If you are under 18, the parent or guardian must bring their own ID and proof of address as well.

Timeline from application to a working account

In-person applications usually result in an open account the same day. You walk in, show your documents, sign the paperwork, and leave with a debit card (or a temporary card number if the physical card is mailed). You can deposit money and make purchases immediately, though some banks impose a hold on deposits—meaning the money is in your account but you cannot withdraw it for a few days.

Online applications take longer. After you upload your documents, the bank verifies them, which takes one to three business days. During this time, your account is created but marked as "pending." Once verification is complete, the account moves to "active" and you can transfer money in and out. The physical debit card arrives by mail in five to ten business days.

A hold period is separate from account opening. Even after your account is active, some banks hold deposits for three to five business days before you can withdraw the cash. This is a fraud prevention measure and is legal. The hold does not mean the account is not open—it means the money is there but temporarily unavailable. Online banks and some traditional banks do not impose holds on deposits from other banks, so if speed matters, ask before you open.

What happens if you have banking problems on your record

Banks check a database called ChexSystems when you apply. ChexSystems records unpaid overdrafts, bounced checks, and fraud reports from your previous banks. If you appear in ChexSystems with a negative mark, some banks will deny your application. Others will approve you but charge higher fees or require a larger opening deposit.

If you have been denied, you have the right to request a copy of your ChexSystems report for free. You can dispute inaccurate information, and you can ask the bank that reported you to remove the record if the debt has been paid. This process takes 30 to 60 days. While you wait, you can open an account at a bank that does not use ChexSystems—some credit unions and online banks skip the check entirely—or look for a "second-chance" account, which is designed for people with banking history problems.

Second-chance accounts usually come with higher fees, a lower initial deposit requirement, and restrictions on overdrafts. Banks like Chime, LendingClub, and some regional banks offer them. They are not ideal, but they let you rebuild banking history and move to a standard account after six to twelve months of clean activity.

Opening an account for someone else or as a minor

If you are opening an account for a minor, you must appear in person at most banks, or you must be listed as the parent or guardian on the account. You cannot open an account for someone else—even a child—without being on the account yourself. The minor's name and your name both appear on statements, and you both have access to the money (though some banks let you set restrictions on what the minor can do).

If you are a minor opening an account, the adult co-signer must be present. They will provide their own ID and proof of address. Some banks let the adult open the account online if the minor is present to verify their identity via video call, but most require both of you to be there in person.

If you are 18 or older and want to add someone else to your existing account later, you can do so by visiting the bank with that person and their ID. This is called adding an authorized user or joint account holder, depending on the bank's terminology. The process takes about 15 minutes and does not require a new account to be opened.

Special cases: no fixed address, no ID, or recent immigration

If you have no fixed address, some banks will accept a shelter address, a PO box with a physical address on file, or a letter from a social service agency stating your current location. Call ahead and ask; do not assume you will be turned away. Credit unions are often more flexible than large banks on this point.

If you are a recent immigrant and have no US ID yet, bring your passport and an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) letter from the IRS, or a state ID from your home country plus a letter from your employer or school. Some banks will open an account with these documents; others will not. Online banks and credit unions are more likely to work with you than large national banks.

If you are undocumented, you can still open a bank account. You do not need a Social Security number. You can use an ITIN instead. Some banks ask for it; others do not. If a bank refuses you, try a credit union or a community bank in your area—many have explicit policies welcoming undocumented immigrants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account online if I am under 18?

Most banks do not allow minors to open accounts online without a parent present. You will need to go in person or have the parent open the account online with you present for identity verification via video. A few online banks allow it; check their website for age and parental consent rules.

How long does a bank hold money in a new account?

Hold periods vary by bank and deposit type. Most banks hold deposits from other banks for three to five business days. Deposits made in person at a branch are often available immediately. Ask your bank about its specific hold policy before you open the account.

What if my proof of address is older than 60 days?

Most banks will not accept it. Get a new utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement dated within the last 60 days. If you cannot, ask the bank if they will accept a letter from your landlord or employer confirming your address, though this is uncommon.

Can I open an account if I have been reported to ChexSystems?

Yes, but not at every bank. Large national banks often decline you. Credit unions, online banks, and second-chance account programs will work with you. Request your ChexSystems report to see what is on file, and dispute any errors before you apply elsewhere.

Do I need a Social Security number to open a bank account?

Most banks require one, but not all. You can use an ITIN if you do not have a Social Security number. Some credit unions and community banks do not ask for either. Call ahead and ask what they need before you visit.