How to open a bank account without a Social Security number

A bank account in your name is the foundation of almost everything else on this site: getting paid without paying to cash checks, proving income when you apply for a rental, saving for the down payment and, when the time comes, showing statements to a lender. Many people believe it cannot be done without a Social Security number. That is not so: federal law allows it with other documents, although each bank decides which ones it accepts. This guide tells you what the rule says, what to bring, which account to pick and what to do if they say no.

The minimum a bank collects - name, date of birth, address and an ID number

4 items¹

Opening deposit of a Bank On certified account

$25 or less⁴

At least, the insurance on your deposits at each FDIC bank

$250,000³

Of statements a lender reviews when you buy a home

2 months¹⁰

What federal law allows

The rule that requires banks to identify their customers is federal. Before opening an account, the bank must obtain at a minimum your name, date of birth, address and an identification number. For a U.S. person that number is the taxpayer identification number; for someone who is not, it may be one or more of these: a taxpayer identification number (the ITINITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)An ITIN is a nine-digit number the IRS, the federal tax agency, issues to people who need a U.S. taxpayer identification number to file taxes and are not eligible for a Social Security number. It is for tax purposes only: it does not authorize you to work in the United States, does not qualify you for Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit, and says nothing about your immigration status. You apply with Form W-7, and it expires if it goes unused for several years. Some lenders accept an ITIN for a mortgage.See the full definitionClose is one), a passport number and its country, an alien identification card number, or the number and country of any other government-issued document that proves nationality or residence. The same rule lets the bank open the account for someone who has already applied for a taxpayer number and has not yet received it, if it confirms the application was filed.¹

That is what the law allows; what each bank accepts is its own decision. The CFPB explains that many banks ask for a U.S. or state photo ID, and that each bank or credit union has its own policy on foreign IDs. The Matrícula Consularconsular ID cardA Matricula Consular is an official Mexican government ID document issued by Mexico's consulates in the United States. Other countries offer similar IDs, sometimes called consular identification (CID) cards. According to the CFPB, many banks require a U.S. or state government-issued photo ID; if you do not have one, some banks and credit unions accept foreign passports and consular IDs such as the Matricula, but not all, and the CFPB suggests asking first. You usually also need another document, such as a bill with your name and address, and an interest-bearing account requires an SSN or ITIN.See the full definitionClose is an official Mexican government identification document.² The FDIC confirms that many banks open accounts for non-citizens, with a foreign passport, a consular ID or an ITIN.³ So the first step is to ask: “Which documents do you accept to open an account without a Social Security number?”

With an ITIN, or without one yet

IRS tax number

With an ITIN

• You give it as your identification number.¹
• You can open an account that pays interest.²
• You write it on the Form W-9 the bank gives you.⁸

With a passport or another document

No SSN and no ITIN

• The rule accepts a passport, an alien ID card or another government document.¹
• You may only be offered an account that pays no interest.²
• If you already applied for an ITIN, the bank can open the account while it arrives.¹

Either way, each bank decides which ID it accepts: ask before you go.²

What to bring to the branch

According to the CFPB’s checklist and the FDIC’s #GetBanked page, this is what they usually ask for:

• A photo ID. A driver’s license or state ID if you have one; if not, your country’s passport or a consular ID, as the bank accepts.²
• A second proof. A bill with your name and address, your birth certificate or your Social Security card if you had one.²
• Your identification number. The Social Security number or the ITIN; the FDIC says to bring one of the two and adds that some banks accept other forms of ID.³
• The opening deposit. Usually between $25 and $100;² the FDIC notes that some accounts open with as little as $25.³

Example with real numbers

What a person with a passport and an ITIN brings

An example in words; each bank says what it accepts, so call first.

Photo ID

Their country's passport, if the bank accepts it

Second proof

An electric bill with their name and address

Identification number

Their ITIN (with it they can have an account that pays interest)

Money to open it

The minimum deposit of the account they chose

What they ask before signing

Minimum balance, monthly fee, ATMs and overdraft, in writing

This is an example, not a bank rule.² Use the document checklist to build your own.³

Run it with your numbersDocument checklist

How to open it, step by step

Opening the account, according to the FDIC

1. 1. Get ready

   Before you go

   In most places you must be at least 18; if you are younger, a trusted adult may be able to help.³

2. 2. Gather your IDs

   The day you go

   Your SSN or ITIN and a photo ID; some banks accept other forms.³

   Try it with your numbersDocument checklist

3. 3. Fill out the application

   In person, online or in an app

   The bank confirms your name, date of birth, address and identification number.¹

4. 4. Make your first deposit

   When you open it

   At a Bank On certified account, the opening deposit is $25 or less.⁴

5. 5. Sign the documents

   At the end of the application

   The signature card and the other papers, in person or electronically.³

6. 6. Set up your tools

   In the first days

   Online or mobile banking and your debit card; ask for help if you are not sure how to use them.³

Which account to pick: look for the Bank On seal

Not every account costs the same, and overdraft fees are the fastest way to lose the money you just deposited. Bank On is a national standard for basic accounts that the FDIC points to: certified accounts have low and transparent costs and do not allow overdraft or insufficient fund fees.³ The 2025–2026 standard requires an opening deposit of $25 or less; a monthly fee of $5 or less, or $10 or less if it can be waived with a single transaction (direct deposit, paying a bill or a debit card purchase); no overdraft, activation, closure, inactivity or low-balance fees; and insured deposits. Among what it “strongly recommends” to banks is accepting the ITIN and consular or municipal IDs as the primary document, and denying new customers only for actual fraud.⁴ The Bank On low-fee accounts guide explains how to find them.

Before signing, ask what the CFPB suggests: the minimum balance to avoid the monthly fee, how much that fee is, whether direct deposit eliminates it, what they charge at ATMs and how to avoid overdraft fees.²

Bank or credit union: both insure your money

It does not matter which you choose as long as it is insured. At an FDIC-insured bank your deposits are automatically protected to at least $250,000 per bank.³ At a federally insured credit unioncredit unionA credit union is a not-for-profit financial institution that, like a bank, accepts deposits, makes loans and offers other services, but is owned by its members. Members elect a volunteer board of directors, and profits go back to them as lower fees, higher savings rates and lower loan rates. To join you need a common bond, such as your employer, your family, where you live or a group you belong to. It is chartered by the NCUA, a federal agency, or by a state. If the credit union is federally insured, your deposits are protected by the NCUA's insurance fund.See the full definitionClose, NCUA insurance is automatic when you join and covers individual accounts up to $250,000, backed by the United States government. Some credit unions have private insurance without that backing: confirm it with the NCUA locator.⁵ Credit unions often serve specific communities; the ITIN mortgages guide explains why it can help to join one before you apply for a loan.

If they say no

A bank denying you an account does not close the door. The CFPB explains that the denial may come from a checking account reporting company (such as Chex Systems or Early Warning Services) with negative information: an unpaid negative balance from an overdraft, suspected fraud or bad checks, even on a joint account with someone who had those problems. Some banks also look at your credit reportcredit reportA credit report is a statement that has information about your credit activity and current credit situation: your loans and cards, the balances, whether you have paid on time, accounts in collection and who has checked your credit. Credit reporting companies, also called credit bureaus, compile it from what banks and creditors report; your credit score is computed from it. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender pulls your report from the three bureaus. You have the right to see it for free and to dispute anything that is wrong.See the full definitionClose. If it was because of a report, the bank must give you an adverse action notice with the company’s name and contact information; you can request a free copy from that company and dispute in writing anything that is wrong, and it is required to investigate. Also ask whether the bank has lower-risk accounts you may qualify for anyway; if not, try another institution.⁹ The FDIC also mentions “second chance” accounts, designed to help you rebuild your banking history.³ And if the denial was about documents, the Bank On standard recommends that banks accept the ITIN and consular IDs.⁴

Mistakes that cost you the account or your money

• Mistake: Going to the branch without first asking which ID they accept.

  Instead: Each bank has its own policy on foreign IDs: call first.²

• Mistake: Opening the first account offered to you, even if it charges overdraft fees.

  Instead: Look for a Bank On account: it does not allow overdraft or insufficient fund fees.⁴

• Mistake: Giving up after one denial.

  Instead: Ask for the adverse action notice and the free copy of the report, and ask about lower-risk accounts.⁹

• Mistake: Keeping your savings at a credit union without checking its insurance.

  Instead: Confirm it has federal NCUA insurance; private insurance does not have the government's backing.⁵

• Mistake: Depositing all your saved cash at once right before you apply for a loan.

  Instead: A large deposit has to be documented, and funds that cannot be verified do not count.¹¹

If you do not have an ITIN yet

The ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues for federal tax purposes; it does not authorize work, does not grant Social Security benefits, does not change your immigration status and is not ID outside the tax system.⁶ You apply with Form W-7Form W-7Form W-7 is the IRS's official application to get an ITIN, or to renew one that has expired or is about to. It is filed together with a federal tax return, with some exceptions, and with original documents or certified copies that prove your identity and foreign status, such as a passport. You can mail it, bring it to an IRS center or go to a Certifying Acceptance Agent, who reviews the documents and returns them on the spot. It is free; be wary of anyone who charges to "get" you a fast ITIN.See the full definitionClose, by mail with your tax return or in person: free at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or at a VITA site with ITIN services, or with an IRS-approved agent, who charges. The IRS asks you to allow 7 weeks to hear back.⁷ In the meantime, the federal rule lets the bank open the account for someone who has already filed the application, if it confirms that and receives the number later.¹ The step by step is in how to get an ITIN with Form W-7.

Why it matters for renting and buying

An account in your name turns your effort into papers other people accept. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will verify that you have the money for the down paymentdown paymentThe down payment is the part of the home's price you pay out of your own pocket when you buy; the loan covers the rest. In U.S. Spanish it is also called enganche, cuota inicial or entrada. Each loan type has its own minimum: FHA requires at least 3.5% of the value, VA and USDA loans may require none, and conventional loans ask for more if you want to avoid private mortgage insurance. A larger down payment lowers the loan, the monthly payment and the total interest; many state programs help families put it together.See the full definitionClose, closing costs and reserves using your bank statementsbank statementA bank statement is the summary your bank or credit union gives you of the activity in your account over a period: deposits, withdrawals, payments and the ending balance. Most send one every month, on paper or online; the law only requires a monthly statement when there was at least one electronic transfer that month, and otherwise it may come quarterly. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender can use your statements to verify you have money for the down payment, closing and reserves. Under Fannie Mae's rules, they must show the bank's name, your name, part of the account number, the period, all transactions and the ending balance.See the full definitionClose. For a purchase they must cover the most recent full two months, clearly identify the bank and you as the account holder, and show all deposits and withdrawals.¹⁰ And watch the deposits: a single deposit above 50% of the monthly income you qualify with counts as “large” and its source has to be documented; funds that cannot be verified do not count toward the down payment, closing costs or reserves.¹¹ For renting, the guide on how to rent without a Social Security number or credit explains what else you can show.

If this is you

You are paid in cash

Deposit regularly: a large deposit all at once has to be documented for a lender.¹¹

You applied for an ITIN and it has not arrived

The federal rule lets the bank open the account in the meantime, if it confirms your application.¹

You want to buy a home later

Statements in your name will be the proof of your down payment and reserves.¹⁰

What to do this week

1. Call two or three banks or credit unions in your area and ask which documents they accept without a Social Security number; also ask whether they have a Bank On certified account.⁴
2. Gather your photo ID, a second proof and your ITIN, if you have one, with the document checklist.²
3. Before signing, ask the fee questions and request the fee schedule in writing.²
4. If they say no because of a report, ask for the adverse action notice and the free copy of the report.⁹
5. From the first month on, deposit your income regularly and keep the statements.¹⁰