Yes, you need a government-issued ID to open a bank account at any bank or credit union in the United States
Every bank and credit union is required by federal law to verify your identity before opening an account. This is part of the Know Your Customer (KYC) rule, enforced by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The bank will ask for identification, and they will not open an account without it.
The ID must be government-issued and current. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. Some banks will accept a military ID or tribal ID. The ID does not have to be from your current state — a driver's license from any state is valid. What matters is that it is issued by a government body and has not expired.
If you do not have a government-issued ID, you have options. Some banks will work with you using alternative documents, though the process takes longer and may require more paperwork. A few banks and credit unions have programs specifically for people without traditional ID.
Key Takeaways
- A current government-issued ID — driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID — is required by federal law to open any bank account.
- The ID does not have to be from your current state, but it must not be expired.
- If you do not have a government ID, some banks will accept a combination of documents like a birth certificate, Social Security card, and utility bill, though approval takes longer.
- Credit unions and community banks are sometimes more flexible than large national banks when you lack traditional ID.
- A few banks offer second-chance or ID-alternative accounts, but these may have lower limits or higher fees.
What counts as acceptable government ID
A driver's license is the most common form of ID banks accept. It does not matter which state issued it. If your license has expired within the last year or two, some banks will still accept it, but you should call ahead and ask — policies vary. If it expired more than a few years ago, the bank will likely reject it and ask you to renew it first.
A state ID card (also called a non-driver ID) works the same way as a driver's license. You can get one from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles even if you do not drive. The process is similar to getting a driver's license and usually costs between $10 and $30.
A U.S. passport or passport card is always accepted. A passport book is valid for 10 years (or 5 years if you are under 16), and a passport card is valid for 10 years. If your passport has expired, most banks will not accept it, though a few will if it expired recently.
A military ID (active duty, reserve, or veteran) is accepted at most banks. A tribal ID issued by a federally recognized Native American tribe is also acceptable at most institutions, though you should confirm with your specific bank before you go in.
If you do not have a government-issued ID
If you have never had a driver's license or passport, you can get a state ID card from your local Department of Motor Vehicles. You will need to bring a birth certificate (or passport application form if you were born outside the U.S.), proof of Social Security number (a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement). The process usually takes a few weeks, and the card costs $10 to $30 depending on your state.
While you wait for your ID to arrive, some banks will open an account using alternative documents. You will typically need to bring a birth certificate, Social Security card, and two forms of proof of address (such as a utility bill and a lease). Some banks also accept a passport application receipt or a letter from a government agency. The bank will verify your information more carefully and may place a hold on your account for a few days while they confirm everything.
Credit unions and community banks are often more willing to work with you if you lack traditional ID than large national chains are. Call ahead and ask whether they have a process for opening accounts without a government ID. Some credit unions have second-chance banking programs or ID-alternative accounts designed for people in this situation.
What the bank will do with your ID
The bank employee will scan or photograph your ID and enter your name, date of birth, and address into their system. They will run a check against the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) database to make sure you are not on a sanctions list. They will also check ChexSystems or Early Warning Services, which are databases that track banking history and fraud. This is routine and takes a few minutes.
The bank will ask you to sign a form confirming that the information on your ID is correct and that you are opening the account for yourself (not for someone else). They will also ask for your Social Security number, which they use to run a credit check and to report account activity to the IRS.
Your ID information stays in the bank's system for as long as you have the account. Banks are required to keep this information for at least five years after you close the account, as part of federal record-keeping rules.
Expired ID and what banks actually accept
An expired ID is a gray area. Some banks will accept a driver's license or state ID that expired within the last year. Others will not accept anything that is expired, even by a day. Large national banks tend to be stricter. Credit unions and smaller banks are often more flexible.
If your ID expired recently, call the bank before you go in and ask whether they will accept it. If they will not, you have two options: renew your ID first (which takes a few weeks at the DMV), or bring alternative documents and ask whether the bank has a process for that. Do not assume the bank will turn you away — it is worth asking.
A passport that expired more than a year ago is almost never accepted. However, a passport application receipt (the form you get when you apply for a passport) is sometimes accepted as proof that you have applied for ID, even if it has not arrived yet. Ask the bank whether they will take this.
Opening an account online without showing ID in person
Some banks let you open an account online and verify your identity using a video call or by uploading a photo of your ID. The process is the same — the bank still needs to see a government-issued ID — but you do not have to go to a branch.
If you open an account online, the bank will ask you to take a photo of the front and back of your ID and upload it through their app or website. Some banks also use video verification, where you hold your ID up to your camera and a bank employee confirms it is real. This usually takes a few minutes.
Online account opening is faster than going to a branch, but it requires that you have a valid government ID to photograph or show on video. If you do not have one, you will need to go to a branch in person and bring alternative documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an expired ID to open a bank account?
It depends on the bank and how long ago it expired. If your ID expired within the last year, some banks will accept it, especially credit unions and community banks. Large national banks are usually stricter. Call ahead and ask, or bring alternative documents as backup.
What if I was born outside the U.S. and do not have a U.S. ID?
A passport from any country is accepted as government-issued ID. If your passport is expired, most banks will not accept it. You can also apply for a U.S. state ID card or passport using your birth certificate and proof of legal residency. An immigration document like a green card or work permit may also be accepted — ask the bank first.
Can I open an account using someone else's ID?
No. The bank will ask you to confirm that you are opening the account for yourself, and they will verify that the name on the ID matches the name you provide. Opening an account under someone else's name is fraud and is illegal.
Do I need a Social Security number to open a bank account?
Most banks require a Social Security number. However, some banks and credit unions will open an account using an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) if you do not have a Social Security number. Call ahead and ask whether the bank you want to use has this option.
How long does it take to open an account once I show my ID?
In person, it usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Online, it can take as little as 5 to 10 minutes. The bank will give you your account number and routing number the same day, and your debit card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.