Yes, you can open a bank account with a passport
A passport works as a valid form of government-issued photo ID at most banks in the United States. Banks need to verify your identity before opening an account, and a passport satisfies that requirement. However, the process varies by bank and by what type of account you want, so you may need additional documents beyond the passport itself.
The passport alone is usually enough to prove who you are, but banks also need to verify your address and sometimes your Social Security number or tax ID. This is where the process gets specific to your situation: if you have a U.S. address, a recent utility bill or lease works. If you do not have a U.S. address yet, some banks will accept a passport as proof of both identity and address, while others will not open an account for you until you can provide a domestic address document.
Key Takeaways
- A U.S. passport is accepted as valid photo ID at most banks, but you will also need to prove your address.
- If you have a U.S. address, bring a recent utility bill, lease, or government mail alongside your passport.
- If you do not have a U.S. address, call the bank first—some will open accounts for passport holders without a domestic address, and some will not.
- Banks will ask for your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to comply with federal tax reporting rules.
- Online banks often have different document requirements than branches, so check the specific bank's requirements before you visit or apply.
What documents banks actually require alongside a passport
Most banks follow a standard checklist: government-issued photo ID (your passport covers this), proof of address, and a tax ID number. The proof of address is where many people get stuck. Banks need to confirm you live where you say you do, and they accept a narrow list of documents for this: a utility bill (electric, gas, water), a lease or mortgage statement, a recent bank statement, or government mail with your name and address.
The document must be recent—usually dated within the last 60 to 90 days. A passport does not count as proof of address because it does not show where you currently live. If you have just moved to the United States and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, ask the bank whether they will accept a lease signed but not yet in effect, or a letter from your landlord on official letterhead. Some banks will; others will not.
For the tax ID, you have two paths. If you have a Social Security number, bring it. If you do not, you can obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS before opening the account, or some banks will let you open the account and add the number later. The bank will ask for this information on the account application form.
Banks that accept passports without a U.S. address
If you are moving to the United States or are in the country temporarily, some banks will open accounts for passport holders who do not yet have a domestic address. This is less common than it used to be, but it does happen. Online banks are more likely to do this than brick-and-mortar branches, because they do not have the same physical security concerns.
Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo generally require a U.S. address before opening a personal checking or savings account. Smaller regional banks and credit unions sometimes have different policies. Online banks like Chime, Ally, and Charles Schwab may open accounts for non-residents or people without a U.S. address, but their policies change. Call or check the bank's website before you apply, because the answer depends on the specific bank and the type of account you want.
If you cannot find a bank that will open an account without a U.S. address, your options are to wait until you have a lease or utility bill in your name, or to use a prepaid debit card in the meantime. Prepaid cards do not require a bank account and can receive direct deposits and transfers, though they usually charge monthly fees.
How the account-opening process works with a passport
In person at a branch, bring your passport, proof of address, and your Social Security number or ITIN. The bank employee will photocopy or scan your passport, verify the address document, and enter your information into their system. They will ask you to sign account agreements and choose your account type (checking, savings, or both). The account usually opens the same day, and you can get a debit card immediately or have one mailed to you within 5 to 10 business days.
Online, the process is similar but digital. You upload a photo of your passport (front and back), enter your address, and provide your tax ID. The bank's system verifies the information, sometimes by sending a verification code to your email or phone. Some online banks use third-party verification services that check your passport against government databases. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few business days. Once approved, you can use your account immediately, and a debit card arrives by mail.
Some banks also offer video verification, where you hold your passport up to your camera and speak with a bank employee who confirms your identity in real time. This is faster than mailing documents and is becoming more common at larger banks.
What happens if your passport is expired
An expired passport is still valid ID for opening a bank account. Banks care that the passport is genuine and that the photo matches your face—they do not require it to be current. However, if your passport expired more than a few years ago, the bank may ask for a second form of ID to confirm the photo is still you, especially if you look significantly different now.
If you do not have any other government-issued photo ID, you can renew your passport before opening the account. Passport renewal takes 6 to 12 weeks through the mail (or 2 to 3 weeks expedited), so plan ahead if your passport is expired and you need a bank account soon. In the meantime, a state ID or driver's license works just as well as a passport.
Passport-only accounts and what they limit you to
Some banks offer "passport-only" accounts specifically for people who do not have a state ID or driver's license. These accounts are real bank accounts with the same features as any other checking or savings account—you get a debit card, online banking, and the ability to receive direct deposits. The only difference is that the bank has verified your identity using your passport instead of a state ID.
There is no legal limit to what you can do with a passport-only account. You can transfer money, pay bills, use the debit card, and set up automatic payments. The term "passport-only" just describes how the bank verified you, not what the account can do. However, some banks may place temporary holds on large deposits or transfers while they conduct additional verification, which is standard practice for any new account.
If the bank rejects your passport
Banks occasionally reject a passport as ID if it is damaged, if the photo is unclear, or if the bank's system cannot read it. If this happens, ask the bank employee what the specific problem is. If the passport is damaged, you can apply for a replacement. If the photo is unclear or the bank's scanner is having trouble, ask whether you can use a second form of ID instead—a state ID, driver's license, or even a foreign national ID card (though U.S. banks rarely accept foreign IDs).
If the bank refuses to open an account for you despite a valid passport, ask to speak with a manager and ask what documents would make you may be able to access. Some banks have policies that exclude certain groups of people (non-residents, people without a U.S. address, or people without a Social Security number), and no amount of documentation will change that. In that case, try a different bank or a credit union, which sometimes have more flexible policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to renew my passport before opening a bank account?
No. An expired passport is still valid ID for opening a bank account. The bank only needs to confirm the passport is genuine and the photo matches your face. If your passport expired years ago and you look very different now, the bank may ask for a second form of ID, but renewal is not required.
Can I open a bank account with just a passport and no address?
Most large banks require a U.S. address before opening an account. Some online banks and credit unions will open accounts for passport holders without a domestic address, but this varies. Call the bank first to ask about their specific policy, because it changes by institution and account type.
What if my passport is from another country?
U.S. banks accept U.S. passports as ID. Foreign passports are generally not accepted, even if you are a legal resident or citizen. If you have a foreign passport, use a state ID, driver's license, or other U.S. government-issued photo ID instead. If you do not have one yet, you can obtain a state ID from your state's DMV.
How long does it take to open an account with a passport?
In person at a branch, an account usually opens the same day. Online, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few business days, depending on whether the bank needs to verify your information through a third party. Your debit card arrives by mail within 5 to 10 business days in either case.
Do I need a Social Security number to open a bank account with a passport?
Most banks require a Social Security number or ITIN for tax reporting purposes. If you do not have one, some banks will let you open the account and provide the number later, while others will not open the account until you have one. Ask the bank before you apply.