What do I need to open a bank account?
Short answer
To open a bank account you need a government photo ID, your SSN or ITIN, your date of birth, a street address and sometimes an opening deposit. You usually need to be 18 to open one alone. Without an SSN or ITIN, a non-US person can give a passport number instead.
By Alex Thomas · Founder of ITIN Club
Updated
The documents banks ask for
Every US bank has to collect four things before it opens an account: your name, date of birth, address and an ID number. That comes from the federal Customer Identification Program rule. Each bank decides which documents prove them.
| What | What counts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Driver's license, state ID, passport, permanent resident card | Wells Fargo also takes consular cards from Colombia, Guatemala or Mexico, and the El Salvador DUI |
| ID number | SSN or ITIN | Non-US persons can give a passport number and country instead |
| Address | A residential street address | Some banks also want proof, like a utility bill, lease or bank statement |
| Date of birth | Shown on your ID | You usually need to be 18 to open an account alone |
| Opening deposit | Usually a transfer, a debit card or a check | Depends on the account. Huntington checking has no minimum |
Online or in a branch
What you need changes with how you apply. Wells Fargo is a clear example:
| Requirement | Online | In a branch |
|---|---|---|
| ID number | SSN or ITIN | SSN or ITIN, or a foreign government ID showing nationality or residence |
| Other | Age 18 or older, a physical US address, your own mobile number | Two IDs, a primary and a secondary. An appointment is recommended |
Online applications are the strictest. If you have no SSN, no ITIN or no US address, plan on going to a branch.
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