What you need before you walk in
You need a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number or ITIN. That is the baseline. Most banks also want to see a second form of ID — a passport, military ID, or state ID card all work. If you do not have a current address yet, a bank statement, utility bill, or lease dated within the last 60 days will prove where you live.
Bring originals, not copies. Banks scan these documents into their system and need to verify them against the real thing. If you are opening an account for a child under 18, you will need to be present as the parent or legal guardian, and you will need your own ID as well.
Some banks now let you open an account online without walking in at all. If you go that route, you will upload photos of your ID and proof of address through their website or app. The process is the same — they just verify the images instead of the originals.
Key Takeaways
- Bring a government photo ID, proof of your address dated within 60 days, and your Social Security number or ITIN to open an account in person.
- Banks verify your identity against federal databases to prevent fraud, which is why they need originals and not copies.
- Opening an account online takes the same documents but lets you upload photos instead of visiting a branch.
- Monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, and overdraft policies vary by bank and account type, so compare before you choose.
- Your account is usually active the same day, though some banks hold deposits for one to three business days before the money is available to spend.
The five-step process at the bank
Step one is telling the banker what type of account you want. A checking account is for everyday spending — you get a debit card and checks. A savings account is for money you are setting aside and not touching regularly. Many people open both at the same time. The banker will ask how you plan to use the account, and they will recommend a product based on your answer.
Step two is filling out the account application. This is a form — on paper or on a tablet the banker hands you — that asks your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, employment status, and annual income. You will also see a section asking whether you want paperless statements or paper statements mailed to you. Paperless is faster and cheaper for the bank, so many offer a small incentive to choose it.
Step three is the identity verification. The banker scans or photographs your ID and proof of address. They type your Social Security number into a system that checks it against federal records. This is called Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, and it is required by law. The check usually takes a few minutes. If there is a mismatch — your name does not match, your address is flagged, or your Social Security number does not exist in the system — the banker will ask follow-up questions before they can proceed.
Step four is choosing your settings. You will decide whether you want overdraft protection (which lets you spend more than you have, usually with a fee), whether you want text or email alerts when your balance drops below a certain amount, and whether you want to link the account to another bank for transfers. These are all optional, and you can change them later.
Step five is funding the account. You can deposit cash, a check, or a transfer from another bank. Some banks require a minimum opening deposit — often $25 to $100 — though many no longer do. If you do not have cash or a check on you, you can leave the account empty and fund it later online or at an ATM.
What happens after you sign
Your account is active immediately. You will get a debit card in the mail within 5 to 10 business days. Until it arrives, you can withdraw cash at any ATM owned by your bank, and you can transfer money online or through the bank's app. Some banks let you use your phone number or email as a temporary identifier at the ATM while you wait for the card.
Checks take longer. If you ordered checks as part of your account setup, they arrive in 7 to 14 days. You can start writing them as soon as they arrive, but do not hand them out until you have funded the account — a check written on an empty account will bounce, and you will owe the bank a returned-check fee (usually $25 to $35).
Deposits you make on your first day may not be available to spend right away. If you deposited a check, the bank holds it for one to three business days while they verify the check is real and the account it came from has the money. Cash deposits are usually available the same day. Transfers from another bank take one to three business days. During the hold period, the money shows in your account, but you cannot withdraw it or spend it with your debit card.
Monthly fees and what to watch for
Most banks charge a monthly maintenance fee — typically $5 to $15 — though many waive it if you meet certain conditions. Common waivers include: keeping a minimum balance (often $500 to $1,500), setting up direct deposit, or maintaining a certain number of debit card transactions per month. Read the fee schedule before you open the account so you know what you are signing up for.
Overdraft fees are separate. If you spend more money than you have in your account, the bank covers the difference and charges you a fee — usually $25 to $35 per overdraft. Some banks charge multiple overdraft fees in a single day if you make several transactions while your balance is negative. If you do not want this protection, you can opt out during setup, and the bank will simply decline transactions that would overdraw your account instead.
ATM fees apply when you use an ATM that does not belong to your bank. Your bank charges you $1 to $3, and the ATM owner may charge you another $1 to $3. Using your bank's ATM network is free. Before you choose a bank, check whether they have branches and ATMs near your home or work — a bank with few locations will cost you more in ATM fees over time.
Opening an account online instead of in person
Online banks and online-only accounts at traditional banks skip the branch visit. You download the app or go to the website, click "open an account," and answer the same questions the banker would ask. You upload photos of your ID and proof of address. You enter your Social Security number. The verification happens in the background, usually within a few minutes to a few hours.
The main difference is speed and convenience — you can open the account at midnight on a Sunday if you want. The tradeoff is that you cannot deposit cash at a branch. You can deposit checks by taking a photo of the front and back with your phone and uploading it through the app. You can transfer money from another bank. But if you need to deposit cash, you will have to find a partner bank or ATM that accepts cash deposits for that bank, which may not exist in your area.
Online banks often have lower fees because they do not pay for physical branches. Many have no monthly maintenance fee at all. If you do not need to deposit cash regularly, an online bank can save you money.
If the bank says no
Banks can refuse to open an account for you. The most common reasons are: your Social Security number does not match federal records, you have unpaid overdrafts or bounced checks at another bank that show up in the ChexSystems database (a banking history report), or you have a history of fraud or money laundering. If the bank refuses, they must tell you why and give you information about how to dispute the decision if you believe it is wrong.
If you have been refused at multiple banks, you may be able to open an account at a credit union instead. Credit unions have different rules and sometimes work with people who have been turned down by banks. You will need to be a member of the credit union first, which usually means living or working in a certain area or having a family member who is already a member.
Second-chance banking accounts are another option. Some banks and credit unions offer accounts designed for people with banking history problems. These accounts often have higher fees and lower spending limits, but they let you rebuild your banking record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account without a Social Security number?
Yes, if you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead. An ITIN is issued by the IRS to people who do not have a Social Security number but need to file taxes. Bring your ITIN documentation along with your ID and proof of address, and the process is the same.
What if I do not have a current address?
Some banks will open an account using a shelter address, a PO box, or a care-of address (c/o someone else's home). Call the bank first to ask what they accept, because policies vary. You may need to bring a letter from the shelter or a notarized statement from the person whose address you are using.
How long does it take to open an account?
In person, the whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes. Online, it takes 5 to 10 minutes to fill out the form and upload documents, though verification can take a few hours. Your account is active the same day either way, though your debit card arrives later.
Do I need a minimum deposit to open an account?
Most banks no longer require one, but some still do — usually $25 to $100. Check the bank's website or call before you go in. If you do not have the minimum on hand, ask whether you can open the account empty and deposit money later.
What if I want to add someone else to my account later?
You can add an authorized user or a joint owner after the account is open. An authorized user can use the debit card and access the account but does not own it. A joint owner has equal rights and can close the account or withdraw all the money. Go to your bank branch or call customer service to make the change.