What are the typical requirements to open a checking account

Has your piggy bank filled up? Maybe you need a safer place to keep the money you’ve saved from the lemonade stand in your driveway — or maybe it would be handy to have a credit or debit card in your wallet.

Whatever you’re looking to do with your money, it might be time to open a bank account. There are many potential benefits to having a bank account, including convenience, security and even access to credit. 

According to Balancing Everything, over 94% of American households had bank accounts in 2019. Now, banking continues to be an important part of the average American’s finances.

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What you need to open a bank account

You should prepare the following items, according to Chase.

  1. The most basic information you will need is your contact information, including name, address and phone number.
  2. Chase suggests you also have at least two forms of government-issued photo ID, like a valid driver’s license or a passport. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, though, says some banks accept foreign passports and consular IDs if you don’t have United States identification.
  3. You will need your social security number or individual taxpayer ID number, according to Chase.
  4. You’ll likely need proof of your address, like a utility bill with your current address on it.
  5. Depending on the financial institution you’re applying to, you may need additional documentation. For a student checking account, you may need proof of enrollment in an eligible school like a student ID or an acceptance letter to the institution in question.
  6. You may also need to provide a deposit at the time of applying, especially if your state has a minimum deposit requirement.

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What are the typical requirements to open a checking account

How to open a bank account

According to Chase, you’ll have to take the following steps to open an account at most banks:

  1. Choose a bank based on benefits (account management, withdrawal limits and more) and convenience (ATM locations and access to bank locations).
  2. Confirm you are eligible. Many banks have age requirements or require parental involvement.
  3. Start the application process. Call the bank or go in-person to get your questions answered.
  4. Choose the accounts you want. Do you want a checking account, a savings account or both?
  5. Make sure you understand your new account after you’re approved.

How much money do you need to open a bank account?

Some states have minimum deposit requirements for opening a bank account.

According to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, you will typically need an initial deposit between $25 and $100 for a checking or a savings account.

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  • The first step to opening a checking account is choosing one that's right for you.
  • To open one, you'll need a government ID, social security number, and proof of address.
  • You'll fill out an application, then make an opening deposit.
  • See Insider's picks for the best checking accounts »

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A checking account is a great tool for storing money you plan to spend soon, whether it's on rent, gifts, or a night out with friends. To open a checking account, you'll need to choose the best account for your needs, gather the required documentation, and fill out an application.

Choose the right account

First things first — figure out which checking account you want to open. Here are some tips for making your decision:

1. Decide which type of checking account you want

There are several types of checking accounts, and the right fit depends on what you want your checking account to do for you.

  • Standard checking account: There aren't many bells and whistles. You just want a place to keep your spending money, and for anything fancier, you're more interested in a savings account or CD.
  • High-interest checking: Unlike most checking accounts, a high-interest account helps you earn money on top of your money. You can find interest checking accounts at many types of institutions, but they're most commonly at credit unions. Credit unions also tend to pay the highest rates on checking accounts.
  • Cash-back checking: These accounts also help your money work for you. For example, the Discover Cashback Debit Account <desc> <g id="asterisk" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M29.37 0a5 5 0 014.975 4.805l.004.216-.074 17.076 16.857-9.732a5 5 0 015.196 8.542l-.196.119-16.316 9.42 16.316 9.42a5 5 0 01-4.799 8.77l-.2-.11-16.929-9.774-.07 16.27a5 5 0 01-9.996.175l-.003-.217.065-15.519-15.7 9.065a5 5 0 01-5.195-8.542l.196-.119 16.315-9.42-16.315-9.42a5 5 0 014.8-8.77l.2.11 15.776 9.11.072-16.496A5 5 0 0129.37 0z" fill="#111"> </path></g> </desc> pays 1% cash back on up to $3,000 of purchases each month. You could pocket $30 per month, or $360 per year.
  • Other types: Maybe you want to open a checking account for your child or college student. Some banks also have checking accounts that waive fees for senior citizens.

Once you know which type of checking account you want, you can start to narrow down your search.

2. Decide which type of institution to use

Do you want to open a checking account at a brick-and-mortar bank or at an online institution?

Brick-and-mortar banks are good if you want the option to walk into a branch and speak with a professional. But online banks tend to charge lower fees. 

If you want a high-interest or cash-back checking account, you'll have more options at online banks and credit unions.

3. Narrow it down

Find a bank that's accessible. If you like to bank from your phone, choose one with a strong app. If you're using a brick-and-mortar bank, find one with a branch near your home.

You'll probably want a checking account that either doesn't charge monthly service fees or makes it easy to waive them. You should also consider overdraft, foreign transaction, and out-of-network ATM fees. For example, if you're worried about overdrawing, find a bank that doesn't charge overdraft fees or has free overdraft protection.

Once you've made your choice, you can prepare to open your account, either at the bank or from your computer.

How to open a checking account

1. Bring the required materials

You'll need the following to open a checking account:

  • Government-issued ID, including a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID
  • Social security number (SSN) or individual tax identification number (ITIN)
  • Proof of address, such as a utility bill mailed to your home

You may need some additional things if you're a student or a minor, or if you're opening a joint account:

  • A guardian
  • Proof that you're a student
  • The official documents for both people on the account

2. Complete an application

When you fill out the application, you'll give the banker the aforementioned documents, or provide pictures if you're applying online. You'll also enter information like your email address and phone number.

Once you've signed the documents, the banker will let you know whether you've been approved. For an online bank, you'll wait for a confirmation email.

4. Set up an opening deposit

Some checking accounts have a minimum opening deposit, maybe $25 or $50. You'll need to have this on hand to open the account.

If the checking account doesn't require a minimum deposit, you can still have the money you want to deposit with you at this time. Otherwise, you can deposit money later.

The hardest parts of opening a checking account are selecting which account to use and gathering the documentation. After that, it's a pretty straightforward process.

Laura Grace Tarpley, CEPF

Personal Finance Reviews Editor

Laura Grace Tarpley (she/her) is a personal finance reviews editor at Insider. She edits articles about mortgage rates, refinance rates, lenders, bank accounts, wealth building, and borrowing and savings tips for Personal Finance Insider. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). She has written about personal finance for six years. Before joining the Insider team, she was a freelance finance writer for companies like SoFi and The Penny Hoarder, as well as an editor at FluentU. You can reach Laura Grace at . See below for some of her work. Today's 30-year mortgage rates Here are the best mortgage lenders right now The pros and cons of paying off your mortgage early The best online high-yield savings accounts Chase checking accounts: Compare all 5 options Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »

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