To open a bank or credit union account in the United States, choose an account, confirm the institution’s requirements, provide identity information, complete its application, review the terms, and make any required opening deposit. Bring a government-issued photo ID and be ready to provide your name, date of birth, address, and identification number. The exact documents, deposit, fees, age rules, and application options vary by institution.
What do you need to open a bank account?
Federal customer-identification rules require banks to obtain your name, date of birth, address, and identification number, then verify your identity using procedures the bank establishes. That does not mean every bank accepts the same documents: each institution decides what evidence it will use.
- Government-issued photo ID: A driver’s license or passport is commonly used. Ask the institution whether it accepts your particular ID, including a foreign passport or consular ID if relevant.
- Identification number: A U.S. person generally provides a taxpayer identification number. An SSN is not required in every case; some institutions may accept an ITIN or another permitted government identification number. Non-U.S. applicants may be able to provide specified government document details, such as a passport number and country of issuance or an alien identification card number. Confirm what the bank accepts before applying.
- Additional proof, if requested: A bank may ask for a second document, such as a Social Security card, a bill showing your name and address, or a birth certificate.
- Opening deposit, if required: Have an accepted way to fund the account. A CFPB checklist gives $25–$100 as a usual initial-deposit range, but that is an educational estimate, not a universal or current requirement. The minimum needed to open an account may differ from the balance required to avoid a monthly fee.
Online applications generally ask for the same identity information and may require photographs or scans of identification. Follow the selected institution’s application instructions.
How to open a bank or credit union account
- Choose the account and institution. Decide whether you need checking, savings, or both. Compare fees, access, services, savings interest, minimum-balance rules, and overdraft terms before choosing.
- Check the requirements before applying. Ask which IDs and identification numbers are accepted, whether a second ID is needed, whether there is a minimum opening deposit, and whether you can apply online, in an app, or at a branch. Check any age or eligibility requirements as well.
- Complete the application. Provide the requested identity information and respond to verification requests. Depending on its procedures, the bank may check documents, compare information with databases, or use a consumer reporting agency or other non-documentary method.
- Read the disclosures and fund the account. Review the fee schedule and overdraft terms, then make any required opening deposit using a method the institution accepts.
- Sign required documents and set up access. Complete a signature card or other required paperwork. Activate online or mobile banking and any debit or ATM card according to the institution’s instructions.
How to compare accounts before choosing
Account terms differ, so compare the costs and features that matter to how you plan to use the account. The CFPB recommends looking beyond the opening deposit to recurring fees and services.
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- What is the monthly service fee, and what conditions waive it?
- What balance is required to avoid a fee, and is that separate from the opening deposit?
- Are there charges for checks, transactions, ATMs, or teller services?
- Which online and mobile banking features and bill-pay services are included, and do any cost extra?
- What overdraft or insufficient-funds fees may apply? Can you decline or manage overdraft coverage?
- For a savings account, what interest does it pay?
- Can you set low-balance alerts?
Can you open an account without an SSN or driver’s license?
Possibly. An SSN is not the only identification number that may be accepted: depending on your circumstances and the institution, an ITIN or certain other government-issued identification details may work. If you do not have a driver’s license, ask which other photo IDs the bank accepts. Because policies differ, check before starting an application rather than assuming a particular substitute will qualify.
Can someone under 18 open an account?
In most of the United States, 18 is the minimum age to open an account independently, but requirements vary by institution and state. A person under 18—and in some states a person under 21—may need to open a joint account with a responsible adult. Ask the institution about its rules for the applicant’s age and state.
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What if the bank denies your application?
An institution may review credit history, banking history, or both. A denial can be connected to negative information in a specialized checking-account report. Ask the institution what steps are available, request the report involved, and dispute information you believe is inaccurate. Some institutions offer lower-risk account options.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How deposits and access work after opening
Opening an account does not guarantee that deposited checks will be available immediately. Banks set funds-availability policies subject to federal maximums, so check the institution’s terms if you need to use a deposit by a particular date.
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Official guidance: Federal Reserve customer identification rule, OCC bank account guidance, CFPB identification requirements, CFPB bank account resources, and FDIC GetBanked.
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