What we verified in “How to open a bank account without a Social Security number”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. Under the federal Customer Identification Program rule, before opening an account a bank must obtain at a minimum your name, date of birth, address and an identification number; for a U.S. person that number is a taxpayer identification number, and for a non-U.S. person it may be one or more of: a taxpayer identification number; a passport number and country of issuance; an alien identification card number; or the number and country of issuance of any other government-issued document evidencing nationality or residence and bearing a photograph or similar safeguard. The bank's program may also allow opening an account for a customer who has applied for but not yet received a taxpayer identification number, if it confirms the application was filed before the account is opened and obtains the number within a reasonable period.

   Sources 1 · 31 CFR §1020.220(a)(2)(i)(A)–(B): 'the bank must obtain, at a minimum, the following information from the customer prior to opening an account'; 'Date of birth, for an individual'; 'For a U.S. person, a taxpayer identification number'; 'For a non-U.S. person, one or more of the following: a taxpayer identification number; passport number and country of issuance; alien identification card number; or number and country of issuance of any other government-issued document evidencing nationality or residence'; 'applied for, but has not received, a taxpayer identification number'; 'confirm that the application was filed before the customer opens the account'; 'within a reasonable period of time after the account is opened' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. The CFPB's account-opening checklist explains that the identification number can be a Social Security number, an ITIN, a passport number and country of issuance, an alien identification card number or another government-issued identification number; that many banks require a U.S. or state photo ID; that what they usually ask for is a photo ID issued by the U.S. government, a state or a foreign government, and that each bank or credit union has its own policy on which foreign IDs it accepts; that the Matrícula Consular is an official Mexican government identification document; that they generally also ask for a second form of identification (Social Security card, a bill with your name and address, or your birth certificate); that the initial deposit is usually between $25 and $100; that, because interest is money subject to tax, without a Social Security number or ITIN you may be able to open a no-interest account only; and that you should ask about the minimum balance to avoid monthly fees, the monthly fees, whether direct deposit eliminates them, ATM fees and overdraft fees and how to opt out.

   Sources 2 · Checklist for opening a bank or credit union account (A Newcomer's Guide to Managing Money, 3/2021): 'identification number can be a social security number, individual taxpayer identification'; 'alien identification card number, or'; 'other government-issued identification number'; 'many banks require you to show a U.S. or state'; 'a form of identification with your picture, issued by the U.S. government, a state government, or a foreign government'; 'each bank or credit union has its own policy on what foreign IDs it accepts'; 'A matricula consular is an official Mexican government identification document'; 'a second form of identification: your Social Security card, a bill with your name and address on it, or your birth certificate'; 'between $25 and $100 to open a savings or'; 'interest is money that is subject to tax'; 'without this, you may be able to open a no-interest account only'; 'Minimum balance required to avoid monthly service fees'; 'Direct deposit and whether it eliminates the monthly fee'; 'Fees for using automated teller machines (ATMs)'; 'Overdraft or insufficient fund fees and ways to opt out' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. The FDIC's #GetBanked page says many banks allow you to open an account even if you are not a U.S. citizen, and that you might need different forms of identification, such as a foreign passport, a consular ID or an ITIN; that some banks offer 'second chance' banking for people who have had banking problems before, which can help you rebuild your banking history; that Bank On certified accounts have low and transparent costs and do not allow overdraft or insufficient fund fees; that some accounts do not let you overspend, so there are no overdraft fees; and that your deposits are automatically insured to at least $250,000 at each FDIC-insured bank.

   Sources 3 · #GetBanked: 'many banks allow you to open an account even if you're not a U.S. citizen'; 'You might need different forms of identification, like a foreign passport, a consular ID, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)'; 'banking, which is designed for people who have had banking problems before'; 'These accounts can help you rebuild your banking history'; 'have low and transparent costs and don't allow overdraft or insufficient fund fees'; 'Some accounts don't let you overspend, so no overdraft fees'; 'automatically insured to at least $250,000 at each FDIC-insured bank' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. The FDIC sums up the steps to open an account: in most places you must be at least 18 (if you are younger, a parent, guardian or other trusted adult may be able to help); you bring your Social Security number or ITIN and your driver's license, state or military ID, or passport to verify your identity, and some banks accept other forms of ID; you apply in person, online or through a mobile app; you make your first deposit, which may be as little as $25; you sign a signature card and other documents; and you activate online or mobile banking and your cards.

   Sources 3 · #GetBanked, 'Open an account': 'You must be at least 18 in most places'; 'a parent, a guardian, or other trusted adult may be able to help you open an account'; 'Bring your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)'; 'Some banks also accept other forms of ID'; 'Apply in-person, online, or through a mobile app'; 'you may be able to open a bank account with as little as $25'; 'Sign a signature card and other documents, either electronically or in person'; 'Activate online or mobile banking and any debit or ATM cards' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. Under the Bank On National Account Standards 2025–2026, a certified account must have an opening deposit of $25 or less; a monthly fee of $5 or less if not waivable, or $10 or less if waivable, with at least two options to waive it entirely with a single transaction (such as direct deposit with no minimum, online bill pay or a debit card purchase); no overdraft or non-sufficient funds fees; no activation, closure, dormancy, inactivity or low-balance fees; and deposits insured by the FDIC, NCUSIF or a regulator-sanctioned equivalent. Its 'strongly recommended' features include accepting ITINs and government-issued IDs (municipal, consular or other) as primary documentation for account opening, and denying new customers only for past incidences of actual fraud.

   Sources 4 · Bank On National Account Standards (2025 – 2026): 'Minimum Opening Deposit $25 or less'; 'If not waivable: $5 or less'; 'If waivable: $10 or less; offer at least two options to waive fee entirely with a single transaction'; 'direct deposit with no minimum deposit, online bill pay, or debit card purchase'; 'Overdraft or Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) Fees None'; 'Account Activation, Closure, Dormancy, Inactivity'; 'Low Balance Fees'; 'Insured by FDIC, NCUSIF, or regulator-sanctioned equivalent'; 'Strongly Recommended Features'; 'Accept ITINs and government-issued IDs (e.g., municipal, consular, other'; 'as primary documentation for account opening'; 'Only deny new customers for past incidences of actual fraud' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. The NCUA explains that share insurance is provided automatically when you join a federally insured credit union; that the Share Insurance Fund insures individual accounts at those credit unions up to $250,000; that the fund is administered by the NCUA and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and that some credit unions are insured by private insurers without that backing, so members should confirm federal insurance with the NCUA's credit union locator.

   Sources 5 · Share Insurance Coverage (modified May 20, 2025): 'provided automatically when they join a federally insured credit union'; 'The Share Insurance Fund insures individual accounts at federally insured credit union up to $250,000'; 'backed by the full faith and credit of the United States'; 'insured by private insurers'; 'confirm their credit union is federally insured by visiting the NCUA's credit union locator tool' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. An ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues if you need a U.S. taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes; it does not qualify you for Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit, does not authorize you to work legally in the U.S., does not provide or change immigration status and does not serve as identification outside the tax system.

   Sources 6 · Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), last reviewed October 28, 2025: 'An ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues if you need a U.S. taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes'; 'Qualify you for Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit'; 'Authorize you to work legally in the U.S.'; 'Provide or change immigration status'; 'Serve as identification outside the federal tax system' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. You apply for an ITIN with Form W-7 and, except in certain cases, a federal tax return; you file it by mail or in person: for free at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center with ITIN services or a VITA site with ITIN services, or with an agent approved by the IRS, whose fees may vary; the IRS asks you to allow 7 weeks to be notified about your application status.

   Sources 7 · How to apply for an ITIN, last reviewed February 22, 2026: 'Apply by mail'; 'Apply in person'; 'Apply for free at a Taxpayer Assistance Center in the U.S.'; 'Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site with ITIN services'; 'Apply in the U.S. or abroad with an agent approved by the IRS. Fees may vary.'; 'Allow 7 weeks for us to notify you about your ITIN application status' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. According to the IRS instructions for the requester of Form W-9, an individual's taxpayer identification number is generally the Social Security number; resident aliens who cannot get a Social Security number must apply for an ITIN on Form W-7, unless they have an SSN application pending, and individuals who have an ITIN must provide it on Form W-9; a foreign person may not provide a Form W-9, and the IRS says to advise foreign persons to use the appropriate Form W-8.

   Sources 8 · Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 (03/2024): 'For individuals, the TIN is generally a social security number (SSN)'; 'These individuals must apply for an ITIN on Form W-7'; 'unless they have an application pending for an SSN'; 'Individuals who have an ITIN must provide it on Form W-9'; 'may not provide a Form W-9'; 'Advise foreign persons to use the'; 'for a list of the W-8 forms' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. The CFPB explains that you may have negative information in a checking account report if you had an unpaid negative balance from an overdraft and the bank closed the account, were suspected of fraud or have a history of bad checks, or had a joint account with someone who had those problems; that banks supply that information to reporting companies such as Chex Systems and Early Warning Services; that if you are denied based on a report, the bank must give you an adverse action notice with the company's name and contact information, and you can request a free copy of the report from that company; that all those companies must investigate your disputes of inaccurate information; that some banks also use your traditional credit reports; and that you should ask whether the bank has steps you can take to open an account or offers lower-risk accounts, and if not, try another institution.

    Sources 9 · Why was I denied a checking account? (last reviewed December 18, 2024): 'Have an unpaid negative balance on that account, such as from an overdraft'; 'Were suspected of fraud or have a history of writing bad checks'; 'Had a joint account with someone else who had these types of problems'; 'checking account reporting companies, such as Chex Systems and Early Warning Services'; 'notice that includes the name and contact information of the checking account reporting agency'; 'request a free copy of the report'; 'All checking account reporting companies must investigate consumers' disputes of inaccurate information'; 'will use your traditional credit reports'; 'has steps you can take to open an account, or offers lower-risk accounts'; 'consider trying another financial institution' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. According to the Fannie Mae Selling Guide, the lender verifies that you have sufficient funds for closing, the down payment and reserves; it can use copies of your bank statements, which must clearly identify the financial institution and you as the account holder, include at least the last four digits of the account number and show all deposits and withdrawals; for a purchase they must cover the most recent full two-month period of account activity.

    Sources 10 · Selling Guide B3-4.2-01, Verification of Deposits and Assets (May 4, 2022): 'sufficient funds for closing, down payment, and/or financial reserves'; 'Copies of bank statements or investment portfolio statements'; 'clearly identify the financial institution'; 'clearly identify the borrower as the account holder'; 'include at least the last four digits of the account number'; 'include all deposits and withdrawal transactions'; 'the most recent full two-month period of account activity' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. According to the Fannie Mae Selling Guide, a large deposit is a single deposit that exceeds 50% of the total monthly qualifying income for the loan; on a purchase, if those funds are used for the down payment, closing costs or reserves, the lender must document that they come from an acceptable source; and unverified funds are not acceptable for the down payment, closing costs or reserves.

    Sources 11 · Selling Guide B3-4.2-02, Depository Accounts (December 14, 2022): 'A large deposit is defined as a single deposit that exceeds 50% of the total monthly qualifying income for the loan'; 'document that those funds are from an acceptable source'; 'Unverified funds are not acceptable for the down payment, closing costs, or financial reserves' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. HUD-approved housing counselors give independent advice on buying, renting, defaults and credit, often at little or no cost.

    Sources 12 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'often at little or no cost to you' · Checked October 17, 2026