What you need before you walk in

You need a government-issued photo ID and proof of your current address. A driver's license or passport covers the ID. For the address, bring a recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your name and address on it—most banks accept anything dated within the last 60 days. Some banks will also take a government benefits letter or tax return.

If you don't have a photo ID yet, you'll need to get one first. That's a separate process at your state's DMV or equivalent office. If you don't have proof of address, a bank employee can sometimes help you work around it—call ahead and ask what they accept, because policies vary by branch and by bank.

Bring your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The bank will use it to run a background check through ChexSystems, a database that tracks banking history. This check is standard and doesn't affect your credit score.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a photo ID, proof of address dated within 60 days, and your Social Security number or ITIN before you open an account.
  • Most banks offer checking, savings, or both, and the type you choose determines what fees apply and how you access your money.
  • Opening an account takes 15 to 30 minutes in person or 10 to 20 minutes online, and your account is usually active the same day.
  • If ChexSystems flags a problem from a past account, ask the bank what it says and request a copy of your report to correct errors.
  • Some banks charge monthly maintenance fees; others waive them if you keep a minimum balance or set up direct deposit.

Checking versus savings: which one to open

A checking account is for money you spend regularly. You get a debit card and checks, and you can withdraw cash at ATMs without limits. Most checking accounts have no withdrawal fees, but many charge a monthly maintenance fee—typically $10 to $15—unless you meet a condition like keeping $500 in the account or receiving direct deposit.

A savings account is for money you're setting aside. It earns interest (a small percentage paid to you by the bank), but you can only withdraw a limited number of times per month—usually six—without paying a fee. Savings accounts typically have lower or no monthly fees.

Most people open both at the same time. The checking account is where your paycheck lands and where you pay bills. The savings account is where you move money you want to keep separate. If you're just starting out and can only open one, open checking—you need it to receive paychecks and pay bills.

Where to open an account: in person or online

You can open an account at a physical bank branch, at a credit union, or online through a bank's website. Each route has a different timeline and set of steps.

In person at a bank branch: Walk in during business hours with your ID, proof of address, and Social Security number. A banker will ask you questions about the type of account you want, verify your information, run the ChexSystems check, and hand you a debit card on the spot. The whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes. Your account is active immediately, and you can use the debit card the same day.

Online through a bank's website: You fill out a form with your personal information, upload photos of your ID and proof of address, and choose your account type. The bank verifies your information and runs the ChexSystems check. This takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete, and your account is usually active within a few hours or by the next business day. You'll receive a debit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

At a credit union: Credit unions work similarly to banks but require you to become a member first. Membership is usually free and automatic when you open an account. The process is the same as a bank—bring your documents in person or apply online—and timelines are similar.

What happens during the ChexSystems check

When you open an account, the bank pulls your ChexSystems report. This is a record of your banking history—accounts you've closed, overdrafts you've paid, and accounts that were closed by the bank due to fraud or repeated overdrafts. It is not your credit report and does not affect your credit score.

If your report is clean, you won't hear anything. The bank approves you and opens the account. If ChexSystems flags something—a closed account with an unpaid overdraft, for example—the bank may deny you or ask you to explain. If you were denied, you have the right to request a copy of your ChexSystems report for free. You can dispute errors on the report directly with ChexSystems.

If you've been denied at one bank, try another. Different banks have different policies about what they accept. Some will open an account for you even if you have a negative ChexSystems report; others won't. Credit unions are sometimes more flexible than large national banks.

Monthly fees and how to avoid them

Most banks charge a monthly maintenance fee for checking accounts, ranging from $5 to $15. You can avoid this fee by meeting one of these conditions, which vary by bank:

  • Keep a minimum balance in the account (often $500 to $1,500).
  • Set up direct deposit of your paycheck.
  • Make a certain number of debit card purchases per month (often 10 or more).
  • Maintain a combined balance across multiple accounts at the same bank.

Savings accounts typically have no monthly fee or a lower fee than checking. Some banks offer "high-yield" savings accounts that pay more interest but require a higher minimum balance.

Before you open an account, ask the banker or check the bank's website for the fee schedule. If the monthly fee is a problem for you, look for banks that waive fees for direct deposit—that's the easiest condition to meet if you have a job.

Your first deposit and activating your debit card

After your account opens, you can deposit money immediately. In person, you can hand cash or a check to the banker and it posts to your account right away. Online, you can transfer money from another bank account, deposit a check by taking a photo of it with your phone (called mobile deposit), or visit an ATM to deposit cash.

Your debit card arrives in the mail if you opened online, or you receive it on the spot if you opened in person. Before you use it, you'll need to activate it. If you received it in person, the banker usually activates it for you. If it came in the mail, you'll call the number on the back of the card or use the bank's app to activate it. Activation takes a few minutes.

Once activated, you can use your debit card to buy things, withdraw cash at ATMs, and pay bills online. The money comes directly from your checking account.

What to do if you're denied or flagged

If a bank denies you, ask why. The most common reasons are a negative ChexSystems report, an unpaid overdraft from a previous account, or fraud on a past account. If it's a ChexSystems issue, request your free report and look for errors. If the information is correct but old, some banks will still open an account for you—ask if they have a "second chance" checking option.

If you were flagged for fraud, contact the bank that reported you and ask what happened. Sometimes fraud was committed by someone else using your information, and you can dispute it. If you confirm the fraud, ask the bank to update your ChexSystems record.

If you're still having trouble, try online banks or credit unions. They often have more flexible policies than large national banks. You can also look for banks that specifically market accounts to people with banking history problems—they exist and are legitimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account without a Social Security number?

Yes, if you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). An ITIN is issued by the IRS to people who file taxes but don't have a Social Security number. Bring your ITIN documentation the same way you would bring a Social Security number. Some banks may ask additional questions, but most will open an account.

What if I don't have proof of address?

Call the bank branch ahead of time and ask what they accept. Some branches will take a government benefits letter, a lease, or even a recent bank statement from another bank. If you truly have nothing, some banks will open an account with just your ID and Social Security number, though this is less common. Credit unions are sometimes more flexible.

How long does it take to receive my debit card in the mail?

Standard delivery is 7 to 10 business days. Some banks offer expedited delivery for a fee (usually $10 to $20) if you need it faster. If you opened in person, you get the card immediately.

Can I use my account before my debit card arrives?

Yes. You can transfer money from another account, deposit checks by phone or app, and pay bills online using your account number and routing number. You just can't make in-person purchases or withdraw cash until your debit card arrives and is activated.

What happens if I overdraft my account?

If you spend more than you have, the bank may pay the transaction and charge you an overdraft fee (typically $25 to $35 per transaction). Some banks allow multiple overdrafts in one day and charge a fee for each one. Others cap overdraft fees at one per day. If you overdraft repeatedly, the bank may close your account and report it to ChexSystems, which will make it harder to open an account elsewhere.