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Bank Account Tool — United States ← All ICG Tools
AI Future Learners · Employment Readiness

Opening a bank account online in the United States

You've got the job — now you need somewhere for the paycheck to land. Tap a bank below for its exact steps, or scan the comparison table first to see which one fits you.

Snapshot as of September 2026 — confirm current details with each bank before applying
Looking for South Africa instead? Switch to the South Africa version →

Before you start: what US law requires

Every US bank — digital-only or traditional — has to verify who you are under the same federal law (the Customer Identification Program rules under the USA PATRIOT Act), so what you'll need is roughly the same everywhere, even when the app itself looks completely different.

Proof of identity

  • A government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, a state ID card, a passport, or (at some banks) a Consular ID for non-citizens
  • If you don't drive, your local DMV can issue a non-driver state ID card instead

A taxpayer ID number

  • Most people use their Social Security Number (SSN)
  • If you don't have one, some banks (including several listed below) accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead — the IRS issues these, but only for people who already have a qualifying federal tax reason to need one, not solely to open a bank account, and it can take around 7 weeks to get
Different from South Africa: US banks generally don't ask you to upload a separate proof-of-address document (like a utility bill) the way FICA requires in South Africa — you usually just enter your current US address on the application. A few banks may still ask you to confirm it if they can't verify it electronically.

Other things worth having ready

Source: ecfr.gov — 31 CFR 1020.220, Customer Identification Program requirements for banks, wise.com — Opening a US bank account without an SSN

Digital-first banks

Built app-first — tap a bank to open its steps. No branch visit needed for a basic account.

Chimeapp only
No branch visit18+
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How to apply
  1. Download the Chime app (App Store or Google Play), or start at chime.com.
  2. Enter your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and US residential address.
  3. Add your email address and phone number.
  4. Choose your card and fund your account (by debit card, bank transfer, or a payment app) to start using it.
What you'll need
  • To be 18 or older, and a US citizen or permanent resident
  • Your Social Security number
  • A US residential address, email, and phone number
Good to know: There's no minimum deposit and no monthly fee. Most applications are approved within minutes and a virtual card is usable immediately — a physical card arrives by mail in 7–10 business days.
Source: chime.com — How Do You Open an Online Chime Account?
Capital One360 Checking
No branch visitAdult account
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How to apply
  1. Go to Capital One's 360 Checking page and select "Open account."
  2. Enter your name, date of birth, mailing address, email, and phone number.
  3. Provide employment information, annual income, and your Tax ID Number (SSN or ITIN).
  4. Submit the application — you'll have 60 days to fund the account once approved.
What you'll need
  • Your Social Security number, or an ITIN if you don't have one
  • Employment and income details
  • A US mailing address, email, and phone number
Good to know: No minimum balance and no monthly fees. Capital One's page doesn't publish a specific minimum age here — this is generally treated as an adult account, so if you're under 18, look at Capital One's MONEY Teen Checking under "Major banks & teen accounts" below instead.
Source: capitalone.com — 360 Checking, How to open a checking account online

Major banks & teen accounts

Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo all let you start an application online if you're 18+; each also has a path in for younger applicants with a parent or guardian.

ChaseCollege / Student Checking
Under 18 needs a branch18+ online
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How to apply
  1. If you're 18 or older with a Social Security number, apply online at Chase's student checking page.
  2. Provide standard identification details and, if asked, proof of student status (a school ID, enrollment verification, or class schedule).
  3. If you're 17 or under, or an international student, you'll need to visit a branch instead of applying online.
What you'll need
  • A Social Security number, and to be 18 or older, for the online route
  • Standard ID documents
  • Possibly proof of enrollment, if you're opening it as a student account
Good to know: Chase's own page focuses on the 18+ online path and doesn't spell out full under-18 requirements in detail — confirm the exact branch process and documents directly with Chase if you're opening one for a younger learner.
Source: chase.com — What Is a Student Checking Account?
Bank of AmericaSafeBalance Banking
Apply online16+ solo, under 16 with parent
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How to apply
  1. Go to Bank of America's SafeBalance Banking page and start the application.
  2. Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number (or ITIN, or foreign passport), address, phone, and email.
  3. If you're under 16, a parent or guardian opens SafeBalance for Family Banking instead, and needs their own existing Bank of America account and online banking login to add you.
What you'll need
  • Ages 16 and up can be the sole owner; under 16 needs a parent co-owner
  • SSN, ITIN, or a foreign passport
  • A US address, phone number, and email
Good to know: Zelle and full online/mobile banking become available at age 13, even on the family-owned version, so a younger teen can still use the account day to day even though a parent legally owns it.
Source: bankofamerica.com — Bank Account Options for Kids, Teens, Students & Young Adults
Wells FargoClear Access Banking
Under 18 needs a branch18+ online
▾
How to apply
  1. If you're 18 or older, apply online at Wells Fargo's Clear Access Banking / student page.
  2. Provide your Social Security number, a valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or Consular ID), and your current address.
  3. If you're 17 or younger, book a branch appointment instead — ages 13–16 need an adult co-owner; 17-year-olds can open it solo or with a co-owner.
What you'll need
  • Your Social Security number
  • A valid photo ID
  • A $25 minimum opening deposit
Good to know: There's no monthly service fee for primary account owners aged 13–24 — worth knowing since that benefit falls away at 25.
Source: wellsfargo.com — Student and Teen Checking
Capital OneMONEY Teen Checking
No branch visitAges 6–17, parent required
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How to apply
  1. Go to Capital One's MONEY Teen Checking page and start the application (online only — there's no branch route for this one).
  2. The parent or legal guardian enters their own information plus the teen's, including both dates of birth.
  3. Provide a Tax ID Number (SSN or ITIN) for both the parent and the teen, and the teen's phone number.
  4. Submit — only one parent or guardian can open and manage the account per child.
What you'll need
  • The child to be between 6 and 17 years old
  • A parent or legal guardian as joint account holder
  • An SSN or ITIN for both the parent and the teen
Good to know: No minimum deposit, no fees to open, keep, or use the account or its debit card — and the account can simply continue if the teen keeps it open after turning 18.
Source: capitalone.com — MONEY Teen Checking Account

Credit unions

Not a single bank, but a category worth knowing about — credit unions are member-owned, often have lower fees, and some are easier to qualify for than others.

How they work: You have to be "eligible" to join — some credit unions only accept people who work in a certain field, belong to a certain employer or community, or live in a certain area, while others have open membership that anyone can join, sometimes just by donating a small amount to a partner nonprofit. To join, you typically provide your name, date of birth, contact details, a government-issued ID, and your Social Security number, then make a small opening deposit. Search "credit unions anyone can join" to find ones with open membership near you, or ask if your school, employer, or community already has one.
Source: nerdwallet.com — How to Join a Credit Union

At a glance

Tap a bank's name to jump straight to its steps.

BankFully online?Branch visit?Core ID neededNotes
ChimeYes — app onlyNoSSN18+, US citizen or permanent resident; approval often instant
Capital One 360 CheckingYes — onlineNoSSN or ITINNo minimum balance or monthly fee; treated as an adult account
ChaseOnline if 18+Yes, if under 18SSNStudent status may be asked for; under-18s apply in branch
Bank of AmericaYes — onlineNoSSN, ITIN, or foreign passport16+ solo; under 16 needs a parent co-owner
Wells FargoOnline if 18+Yes, if under 18SSN + photo ID$25 minimum deposit; no fee for ages 13–24
Capital One MONEY TeenYes — online onlyNoSSN or ITIN (parent + teen)Ages 6–17; parent or guardian required as joint owner

Tips for a smooth application

A note on privacy

Opening a bank account means sharing your Social Security number, a photo of your ID, and other personal details — that's required by federal law, and it's normal. Only do this through the bank's own official app or its own website, never through a link someone sends you, and never send a photo of your ID or your SSN over text, WhatsApp, or email to "speed up" an application. Legitimate banks verify you inside their own app or site, not over chat.

Sources are linked directly under each bank's steps above, and under the federal requirements at the top of the page. Prepared for Innovation Centre Global. General information only, not financial advice — account features, fees and application processes change, so confirm current details with each bank before applying.
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