Do I need an SSN to open a bank account?
Short answer
No, you don't need an SSN to open a US bank account. Federal rules let a bank take an ITIN instead, and a non-US person can give a passport number. Each bank sets its own policy, though. Wells Fargo and Huntington accept an ITIN, while BMO's online application asks for an SSN.
By Alex Thomas · Founder of ITIN Club
Updated
What the federal rule asks for
The Customer Identification Program rule sets the ID number a bank must get before it opens your account. It never says SSN. It says taxpayer identification number, and an ITIN is one.
| You are | The bank needs one of these |
|---|---|
| A US person (citizen or resident) | A taxpayer ID number: your SSN, or your ITIN if you can't get an SSN |
| A non-US person | A taxpayer ID number, a passport number and country, an alien ID card number, or the number of another government photo ID that shows your nationality or residence |
What banks actually ask for
The rule is the minimum. Banks can ask for more, and online forms are often stricter than branches.
| Bank | With an ITIN | Without SSN or ITIN |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo | Online or in a branch | In a branch, with a government ID that shows your nationality or residence |
| Huntington | Online, if you're a US resident | Not stated |
| BMO | Not stated. The online form asks for an SSN and US citizenship | Non-citizens can apply by phone or in a branch |
If a bank's website only mentions an SSN, call the branch and ask if they take an ITIN or a passport. Branch rules can differ from the online form. For more banks, see which banks accept an ITIN.
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