What you need to open a Bank of America checking account

Bank of America requires a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit to open a checking account. The minimum opening deposit varies by account type—some accounts require $25, while others require $100 or more. You can open an account online, on the phone, or in person at a branch.

You'll also need a valid email address and a phone number. If you're opening the account online, you can complete the entire process from home in about 10 minutes. If you go to a branch, bring your ID and be ready to provide your Social Security number verbally or show a document that contains it.

Bank of America checks your banking history through ChexSystems, a system that tracks checking and savings account activity. If you've had serious problems with a previous bank—such as unpaid overdrafts or fraud—you may be denied. You can request your ChexSystems report before you apply if you're concerned.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a government photo ID, Social Security number, and an opening deposit of $25 to $100 depending on the account type.
  • Opening online takes about 10 minutes and you can start using your account the same day; opening in a branch takes longer but a banker can answer questions in real time.
  • Bank of America reviews your ChexSystems report, which shows your history with other banks, and may deny you if you have unpaid overdrafts or fraud on record.
  • Your debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, but you can use your account number to set up direct deposit or bill pay before the card arrives.

Opening an account online

Go to bankofamerica.com and select "Open an Account" from the homepage. Choose the checking account type you want—Bank of America offers several, including Advantage SafePass, Advantage Plus, and Premium Rewards. Each has different monthly fees, minimum balances, and benefits. Read the fee schedule for each before you choose.

Enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, phone number, and email. Bank of America will verify your identity by asking security questions based on your credit history. Answer these questions accurately—they're designed to confirm you are who you say you are.

Choose how you want to fund the account. You can transfer money from another bank account, use a debit card, or wire funds. If you transfer from another bank, provide the routing number and account number. The transfer typically takes 1 to 3 business days to show up in your new Bank of America account.

Review the account terms and disclosures, then sign electronically. You'll receive a confirmation email with your account number. Your debit card will be mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You can start using your account immediately—set up direct deposit or bill pay using your account number before your card arrives.

Opening an account in person at a branch

Bring your government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number to any Bank of America branch. A banker will walk you through the account options and help you choose the right one for your needs. Bring your opening deposit in cash, check, or be ready to transfer funds from another account.

The banker will enter your information into the system and verify your identity. This process takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the branch is. You'll sign documents and receive a temporary debit card or a card number you can use immediately. Your permanent debit card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Ask the banker about the account features during your visit—monthly fees, ATM access, overdraft protection, and any current promotions. Many branches offer sign-up bonuses if you meet certain conditions, such as setting up direct deposit within 60 days. Get the details in writing before you leave.

Account types and their costs

Bank of America's most common checking accounts are Advantage SafePass, Advantage Plus, and Premium Rewards. Advantage SafePass has no monthly maintenance fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit. If you don't meet either requirement, the fee is $12 per month.

Advantage Plus charges $12 per month unless you maintain a $1,500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit. Premium Rewards requires a $25,000 minimum balance and charges $25 per month if you fall below that. It includes benefits like higher interest rates and waived fees on certain services.

All accounts include online banking, bill pay, mobile app access, and a debit card. ATM access is free at Bank of America ATMs and at ATMs in the Allpoint network, which includes over 55,000 machines worldwide. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals typically cost $2.50 per transaction.

What happens after you open your account

Your account is active immediately after you complete the application, whether online or in branch. You can log into online banking right away using your Social Security number or email address as your username. Set up a password that's at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Your debit card arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You'll receive a separate PIN in the mail. Activate your debit card by calling the number on the back of the card or through the mobile app. You can use your card at any merchant that accepts Visa, and withdraw cash at any ATM.

Set up direct deposit as soon as possible if you want to avoid monthly maintenance fees. Provide your employer with your Bank of America routing number (021000021 for most accounts) and your account number. Direct deposit typically takes one to two pay periods to process.

Review your account settings in the mobile app or online banking. Turn on transaction alerts so you're notified of large purchases, low balances, or unusual activity. Link other bank accounts if you want to transfer money between them. Bank of America allows you to link accounts at other institutions for transfers.

Overdraft protection and fees

Bank of America offers overdraft protection, which means the bank will cover a transaction if your balance is too low, but you'll pay a fee. An overdraft fee is typically $35 per transaction. You can have up to 4 overdraft fees charged per day, which means you could pay $140 in a single day if multiple transactions post.

You can link a savings account or credit card to your checking account for overdraft protection. If your checking balance is too low, Bank of America will automatically transfer money from the linked account to cover the transaction. This transfer is free if you use a Bank of America savings account, but may have a fee if you use a credit card.

You can also opt out of overdraft protection entirely. If you do, transactions will be declined if your balance is too low. This prevents overdraft fees but may cause problems if you're expecting a deposit. Contact Bank of America through the mobile app or by calling 1-800-432-1000 to change your overdraft settings.

If you're denied or have trouble opening an account

Bank of America may deny your application if ChexSystems shows unpaid overdrafts, fraud, or multiple accounts closed due to negative balances. You'll receive a letter explaining the reason. Request your ChexSystems report to see what information they have on file. You can dispute inaccurate information directly with ChexSystems.

If you were denied because of ChexSystems, wait at least one year before applying again. In the meantime, use a second-chance checking account at another bank to rebuild your history. These accounts have higher fees but are designed for people with banking problems in their past.

If you have questions about why you were denied, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and ask to speak with an account specialist. They can sometimes override a denial or suggest an alternative account type that might work for your situation. Be honest about your banking history—banks can see it anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Bank of America checking account if I don't have a Social Security number?

No. Bank of America requires a Social Security number to open any account. If you're not a U.S. citizen, you may be able to open an account with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead, but policies vary by branch. Call 1-800-432-1000 to ask whether your branch accepts ITINs.

How long does it take to get my debit card?

Your debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your account number to set up direct deposit or bill pay before your card arrives. If you need a card faster, ask a banker at a branch whether they can issue a temporary card number on the spot.

What's the difference between opening online and opening in a branch?

Opening online is faster—about 10 minutes—and you can do it anytime. Opening in a branch takes longer but a banker can answer questions and help you choose the right account. Both methods result in the same account and the same debit card delivery timeline.

Can I open a checking account if I'm under 18?

Bank of America allows minors to open accounts, but a parent or guardian must be present and co-sign. The adult becomes a joint owner of the account. You can open a minor account online or in a branch, but you'll need the adult's ID and Social Security number as well as your own.

What if I don't meet the minimum balance requirement?

If you don't maintain the minimum balance and don't have direct deposit set up, you'll pay a monthly maintenance fee ($12 for most accounts). Set up direct deposit to waive the fee, or keep your balance above the minimum. You can also switch to a different account type with a lower minimum.