What you need to open a Bank of America account

Bank of America requires a government-issued photo ID, a Social Security number or ITIN, and an initial deposit to open a checking or savings account. The deposit amount depends on the account type—some accounts have no minimum, while others require $100 or more. You can open an account online, by phone, or in a branch, and the process takes between 10 and 20 minutes.

If you do not have a Social Security number, you can use an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). If you do not have either, Bank of America will not open an account for you. Non-U.S. citizens can open accounts with a valid passport and ITIN, though some branches may ask for additional documentation like a visa or proof of address.

You will also need to choose which account type fits your situation. Bank of America offers checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts, each with different fees, minimum balances, and interest rates. The most common choice for everyday banking is a checking account.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a government-issued photo ID, Social Security number or ITIN, and an opening deposit to start an account.
  • Online account opening takes about 10 minutes and lets you fund the account when ready from another bank.
  • In-branch opening takes longer but lets you ask questions and set up additional services like debit cards on the spot.
  • Bank of America charges monthly maintenance fees on most accounts unless you meet balance or direct deposit requirements.
  • Your account number and routing number are ready to use within minutes of opening, even if your debit card arrives later.

Opening an account online

The online process starts at bankofamerica.com. Click "Open an Account" and select the account type you want—checking, savings, or money market. You will enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, phone number, and email. Bank of America will ask whether you are a U.S. citizen and whether you have an existing Bank of America account.

Next, you verify your identity. Bank of America uses Verifone or a similar service to confirm your information against public records. This usually takes a few seconds. If the system cannot verify you automatically, you may be asked to upload a photo of your ID or answer security questions based on your credit history.

Once verified, you choose how to fund the account. You can transfer money from another bank account (this takes one to three business days), deposit a check by mobile app, or wait to deposit cash at an ATM or branch. Some people open the account with a small transfer and deposit the rest later. After you confirm your funding method, the account opens when ready and you receive your account number and routing number right away.

Your debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Until it arrives, you can use your account number to set up direct deposit, pay bills online, or transfer money. You can also withdraw cash at any Bank of America ATM using your temporary digital card in the mobile app.

Opening an account at a Bank of America branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch with your ID, Social Security number, and the money for your opening deposit. Tell the banker you want to open a checking or savings account. They will ask the same questions as the online form—name, address, Social Security number, employment status—and run the same identity verification.

The main advantage of opening in branch is speed and help. The banker can explain the difference between account types, show you fee structures, and answer questions about overdraft protection or linked savings accounts. They can also order your debit card on the spot and sometimes set up it when ready, though this varies by branch.

The process takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the branch is and whether you have questions. You leave with your account number, routing number, and temporary debit card (in some cases). Your official debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Account types and their costs

Bank of America's most common account is the Checking Account, which costs $12 per month unless you meet one of these conditions: maintain a $1,500 minimum balance, set up direct deposit of at least $250 per month, or link a Bank of America savings or money market account with a $500 minimum balance. If you meet any one of these, the monthly fee is waived.

The Savings Account costs $5 per month unless you maintain a $500 minimum balance. Interest rates on savings accounts change with the Federal Reserve rate and vary based on how much you have in the account. Bank of America also offers a Money Market Account, which combines checking and savings features and requires a higher opening deposit (usually $2,500 or more) but pays higher interest.

Bank of America charges overdraft fees if you spend more than your balance. The fee is $35 per transaction, and you can be charged multiple fees in one day. You can turn off overdraft protection during setup, which means transactions will be declined instead of charging a fee. Some accounts include overdraft protection linked to a savings account, which transfers money automatically if you run short.

What happens after you open the account

Your account is active when ready, but your debit card takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. During this time, you can use your account number and routing number to set up direct deposit with your employer or receive payments from others. You can also pay bills through Bank of America's online bill pay system or transfer money to other accounts.

When your debit card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or using the mobile app. You will be asked to verify your identity and set a PIN. Once activated, you can use the card at any ATM or store that accepts Visa.

Bank of America sends statements monthly by email or mail, depending on what you choose during setup. You can view your account balance, transactions, and statements anytime through the website or mobile app. If you notice unauthorized charges, you have 60 days to report them to Bank of America.

Funding your account and setting up direct deposit

If you opened online, you already chose a funding method. If you opened in branch with cash, your account is funded when ready. If you transferred money from another bank, it arrives within one to three business days depending on the other bank's processing time.

To set up direct deposit, you need your Bank of America account number and routing number (26009593 for most U.S. branches). Give these to your employer's payroll department, and they will deposit your paycheck directly into your account. Direct deposit usually takes one or two pay periods to start, depending on when your employer processes changes.

You can also deposit checks using the mobile app—take a photo of the front and back of the check, and the money appears in your account within one business day. Cash deposits go into your account when ready at any Bank of America ATM or branch.

Common reasons your account might not open

Bank of America will not open an account if you do not have a Social Security number or ITIN. The system also rejects applications if your identity cannot be verified—this happens when your name, address, or date of birth does not match public records. If this happens, you can visit a branch in person with your ID, and a banker can manually verify you.

Bank of America also checks ChexSystems, a banking history database. If you have unpaid overdrafts, closed accounts with negative balances, or fraud flags from another bank, your process may be denied. You can request a copy of your ChexSystems report at chexsystems.com to see what is on file. If there is an error, you can dispute it.

Some people are denied because they are on the OFAC list (Office of Foreign Assets Control), which flags people with names matching known criminals or sanctioned individuals. This is rare and usually resolved quickly if your name is similar to someone on the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Bank of America account without a Social Security number?

No, Bank of America requires either a Social Security number or an ITIN. If you have neither, you cannot open an account with Bank of America. Some smaller banks and credit unions may have different requirements, but the major national banks all require one or the other.

How much money do I need to open an account?

Most Bank of America checking accounts require a $0 opening deposit, though some account types require $100 or more. You can open with $1 and deposit the rest later. Ask the banker or check the website for the specific account type you want.

Can I open an account if I have been denied by another bank?

It depends on why you were denied. If you have unpaid overdrafts or fraud flags in ChexSystems, Bank of America will likely see the same information and deny you. If you were denied for a different reason, Bank of America may still open your account. You can check your ChexSystems report to see what other banks see.

What if I do not have a physical address?

Bank of America requires a mailing address to open an account. If you do not have one, you can use a shelter address, a trusted friend's address, or a PO box. You will need to provide proof of address—a utility bill, lease, or government letter sent to that address within the last 60 days.

How long does it take to receive my debit card?

Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. Bank of America offers expedited shipping for an additional fee (usually $10 to $15), which takes 2 to 3 business days. You can request expedited delivery when you open the account or anytime after through the mobile app or by calling customer service.