Which banks let you open an account online

Most large national banks now let you open a checking or savings account online without visiting a branch. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank all offer online account opening. Smaller banks and credit unions vary — some have full online onboarding, others require at least one in-person visit or a video call with a representative.

Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover, and Marcus (by Goldman Sachs) operate entirely through their websites and apps, with no physical branches at all. These tend to have lower fees and higher interest rates on savings accounts because they have no branch costs to pass along to customers.

The speed and requirements differ by bank. Some approve you in minutes; others take a day or two. Most will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and a government ID number to verify your identity. A few may ask you to make a small deposit right away or within a set number of days to activate the account.

Key Takeaways

  • National banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all allow online account opening, though some may require you to verify your identity with a video call or by uploading a photo of your ID.
  • Online-only banks such as Ally and Discover have no branches but typically offer lower fees and higher savings rates than traditional banks.
  • You will need a government-issued ID, Social Security number, and current address to open an account online at any bank.
  • Some banks approve accounts in minutes; others take one to three business days to verify your information and activate your account.
  • Credit unions vary widely — check with your local credit union or the one you are may be able to access to join, as some allow full online opening and others do not.

What you need to open an account online

Every bank that offers online account opening will ask for the same core information: your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and phone number. You will also need a government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some banks photograph or scan your ID as part of the process; others ask you to type in the ID number and let their system verify it against government records.

A few banks require proof of address if your ID is old or from out of state. This can be a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement with your name and current address. If you do not have one, some banks will accept a bank statement or government document instead.

You will also need a way to fund the account — either a debit card, another bank account to transfer from, or a check to deposit. Some banks require an initial deposit before the account opens; others let you open it empty and fund it later.

How identity verification works online

Banks use one of three methods to verify who you are: automated database matching, video verification, or document upload. Automated matching is fastest — the bank checks your name, Social Security number, and address against credit bureaus and government records. If everything matches, you are approved in minutes.

If automated matching fails or the bank wants extra confirmation, they may ask you to upload a photo of your ID or take a video call with a representative. Video calls usually take 5 to 10 minutes. The representative will ask you to show your ID to the camera, answer a few security questions, and confirm your address. After the call, approval typically comes within one business day.

Document upload is the middle ground — you photograph both sides of your ID and sometimes a proof of address, then upload them through the bank's app or website. The bank reviews these manually, which can take one to three business days.

Differences between national banks and online-only banks

National banks like Chase and Bank of America have physical branches in most cities. If something goes wrong with your account or you need to deposit cash, you can walk into a branch. They offer checking, savings, credit cards, loans, and investment accounts all in one place. The trade-off is higher monthly fees — many charge $12 to $15 per month for checking unless you meet balance or direct deposit requirements.

Online-only banks have no branches, which means lower overhead and lower fees. Most charge no monthly maintenance fee at all. Savings accounts at online banks often pay 4% to 5% annual interest, compared to 0.01% to 0.05% at national banks. The downside is that you cannot deposit cash in person — you have to transfer money from another account or deposit checks by photo through the app.

Credit unions are member-owned and often have lower fees than national banks, though higher rates than online banks. Some credit unions are part of shared branching networks, which means you can use branches at other credit unions. Online account opening at credit unions depends on which one you join — some have it, many do not.

Timeline from application to using your account

The fastest path is a national bank with automated identity verification. You can open the account, fund it, and start using it the same day — sometimes within 30 minutes. Chase and Bank of America often work this way if your information matches their database perfectly.

If the bank needs to verify your ID by video or document upload, add one to three business days. You can usually start using your account as soon as it is approved, even if your debit card has not arrived yet — most banks let you use your account number to set up direct deposit or transfers right away. Your physical debit card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Online-only banks are usually as fast as national banks for approval, but since they have no branches, everything moves through their app or website. You will get a temporary account number immediately and can start transferring money the same day. Your debit card ships within a week.

What happens if you cannot open an account online

If a bank denies your online application, it is usually because of one of three reasons: your identity did not verify, you have a history of fraud or unpaid overdrafts reported to ChexSystems (a banking history database), or you do not have a Social Security number.

If identity verification failed, ask the bank whether you can try again with a different ID or upload a proof of address. Some banks will let you retry; others will direct you to open an account in person at a branch instead.

If ChexSystems is the issue, you can request your report for free at chexsystems.com and dispute any errors. Some banks specialize in second-chance accounts for people with ChexSystems records — these accounts often have higher fees or lower limits, but they exist. Credit unions are sometimes more flexible than national banks about ChexSystems history.

If you do not have a Social Security number, some banks will let you use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Call the bank's customer service line to ask whether they accept ITINs before you apply online.

Comparing fees and features across banks

Monthly maintenance fees range from $0 to $15, depending on the bank and account type. Most national banks waive the fee if you maintain a minimum balance (usually $500 to $1,500) or set up direct deposit. Online-only banks almost never charge a monthly fee.

Overdraft fees are where banks differ most. Some charge $35 per overdraft; others charge $25 or nothing at all. A few banks offer overdraft protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit line so overdrafts are covered automatically. Online banks tend to have lower or no overdraft fees.

Interest rates on savings accounts vary from nearly 0% at national banks to 4% to 5% at online banks. If you plan to keep money in savings rather than checking, an online bank will earn you significantly more.

ATM access matters if you use cash regularly. National banks have their own ATM networks; online banks either partner with other networks or reimburse ATM fees. Credit unions often belong to shared branching networks that let you use other credit union branches and ATMs for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account online if I do not have a government ID?

Most banks require a government-issued ID to open an account online. If you do not have one, you will likely need to open an account in person at a branch instead. Some banks may accept a passport from another country, but call ahead to confirm before you apply.

How long does it take to get a debit card after opening an account online?

Your debit card usually ships within 7 to 10 business days after your account is approved. You can start using your account immediately through transfers and direct deposit — you do not have to wait for the physical card to arrive. Some banks offer temporary digital card numbers you can use right away in apps and online.

What is ChexSystems and why did my application get denied because of it?

ChexSystems is a database that tracks banking history, including overdrafts, fraud, and unpaid fees. Banks check it before opening new accounts. If you have a negative record, some banks will deny your application. You can request your report free at chexsystems.com and dispute errors. Second-chance banks exist for people with ChexSystems records, though they may charge higher fees.

Can I open multiple bank accounts online at the same time?

Yes, you can open accounts at different banks on the same day. However, opening many accounts in a short period may trigger fraud alerts. If you are opening accounts at multiple banks, space them out by a few days if possible and be ready to verify your identity multiple times.

Do online-only banks work with employers for direct deposit?

Yes, online-only banks have full routing and account numbers just like traditional banks. Your employer can set up direct deposit to an online bank account the same way they would for any other bank. Direct deposit usually takes one to two business days to process after your employer submits it.