You don't need to visit a branch anymore

If you've been putting off opening a bank account because you pictured a long line and a stack of paperwork, here's some good news: most banks let you do the whole thing from your phone. You can open a bank account online with an online-only bank, a neobank, a credit union or any of the largest brick-and-mortar banks, and in many instances you can open a new account entirely online.

That matters if you're driving, delivering, or working shifts all day. You don't have time to sit in a branch waiting for a banker. You can knock this out between jobs.

What you actually need before you start

Banks aren't asking for your information to be nosy — it's the law. Financial institutions collect this information to verify your identity under federal law, under rules called the Customer Identification Program, which is part of the Patriot Act, and this helps prevent fraud, identity theft and money laundering. These rules apply whether you're opening an account at a large national bank, a local credit union or an online-only banking service.

In practice, that means every bank is going to ask for roughly the same things:

  • Your legal name and date of birth
  • A Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) — at a minimum, when opening a new account, a bank must obtain your name, date of birth, address, and an identification number.
  • A government-issued photo ID, like a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID
  • A current U.S. address — sometimes proof like a utility bill or lease is requested if your ID doesn't show your current address
  • A phone number and email address, so the bank can verify it's really you

Some banks also ask for a small opening deposit. Some banks require an initial deposit — often a modest amount, for example somewhere in the $25–$100 range — separate from any minimum balance requirement you'll need to maintain to avoid fees, though this varies a lot by bank. Plenty of online banks and neobanks skip this step entirely and let you fund the account after it's open.

What the actual process looks like

The steps are pretty much the same no matter which bank or app you choose:

  1. Pick your account type (checking, savings, or both) and go to the bank's website or app
  2. Fill out the application with your personal details
  3. Upload a photo of your ID and enter your SSN or ITIN
  4. Verify your email or phone number
  5. Fund the account if a deposit is required, then submit

You can open an account online, and though it is generally more convenient than walking into a bank branch, you still need to verify your identity and provide proper documentation. Most people who have their documents ready can get through the application itself in well under half an hour — many people can finish it in around 30 minutes or so, though it can take longer if you need to track down documents.

After you submit, the bank runs an identity check in the background. By law, banks must verify your identity before opening a bank account. For most people this happens almost instantly. In some cases the bank may ask for extra documents before your account is fully active, so don't be surprised if you get a follow-up email.

No Social Security number? You still have options

If you don't have an SSN, you're not automatically locked out. If you don't have a Social Security number, you may still be able to open a bank account — while a Social Security number may be preferred for tax reporting reasons, some banks may not need this number, but you'll still need to provide an acceptable replacement such as an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or passport. Not every bank accepts ITINs for online applications, so it's worth checking a specific bank's requirements or calling ahead before you fill out the whole form.

A quick reality check on age and credit

You generally need to be 18 to open an account on your own; younger applicants can usually open a joint account with a parent or guardian. And don't assume a rocky financial past disqualifies you — most banks look at your banking history, not a traditional credit score, when deciding whether to approve a checking account. If you've had account trouble before, that's a different conversation (and a different checklist) than what's covered here.

Before you hit submit

Have your ID, your SSN or ITIN, and your current address handy before you start — it's the single biggest time-saver. If you're switching from another bank, it also helps to have that account's routing and account number ready in case you want to transfer money into the new one right away.

Once your account is open, set up direct deposit as soon as possible if you're paid by an employer or gig platform. Getting your paycheck landing automatically is usually the fastest way to start actually using — and benefiting from — your new account.

Picking the right account matters just as much as opening it fast. If you're comparing options built around fewer fees and faster access to your pay, take a look at what B9 offers gig and hourly workers before you commit to your next account.