What you need before you start

Bank of America lets you open a checking account entirely online without visiting a branch. You will need a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), your Social Security number, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number or email address on file with the credit bureaus. The whole process takes about 10 minutes.

You do not need an existing Bank of America account to start. You will need to fund the account with an initial deposit, though the minimum varies — some checking products require $25, others require nothing. You can link a bank account you already have and transfer money electronically, or you can deposit a check by mail after your account opens.

Bank of America will run a soft credit check and check ChexSystems, a banking history database. A soft check does not affect your credit score. If you have been flagged in ChexSystems for unpaid overdrafts or fraud at another bank, Bank of America may deny your process, though you can dispute inaccurate information.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need a valid government ID, your Social Security number, and a phone number or email to verify your identity online.
  • The process takes about 10 minutes and you can complete it on Bank of America's website or mobile app without visiting a branch.
  • Your account can be funded when ready by linking an existing bank account, or by mailing a check after approval.
  • Bank of America checks ChexSystems and runs a soft credit inquiry, which does not lower your credit score.
  • You will choose a checking product during signup — SafeBalance, Advantage, or Preferred — each with different fees and minimum balances.

Step-by-step: opening your account online

Go to bankofamerica.com and click "Open an Account" or use the Bank of America mobile app. Select "Checking" as your account type. You will be asked to choose which checking product you want: SafeBalance (no monthly fee, limited features), Advantage (monthly fee waived if you meet balance or deposit requirements), or Preferred (higher monthly fee, more benefits). Read the fee schedule for each before you choose — the differences matter if you carry a low balance.

Enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email. Bank of America will ask for your Social Security number. Provide your employment information if prompted, though it is not always required. You will then upload or photograph your government ID — the system will read it automatically, so make sure the image is clear and all four corners are visible.

Bank of America will ask you to verify your identity. This usually means confirming information from your credit file (like a previous address or loan amount) or receiving a code by text or email. Answer the questions or enter the code. If you cannot verify this way, Bank of America may ask you to visit a branch in person or mail in additional documents.

Link a bank account to fund your new checking account. Enter the routing number and account number from an existing account at another bank. Bank of America will make two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to that account within one to two business days. You will then log into that account, find those deposits, and enter the amounts back into Bank of America to confirm you own the account. Once confirmed, you can transfer money when ready.

Review the account agreement and disclosures, then sign electronically. Your account will be open within minutes, though it may take one business day for all features to set up. You will receive a confirmation email with your account number and routing number. Your debit card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Funding your account right away

If you link an existing bank account during signup, you can transfer money as soon as your identity is verified — usually the same day. The transfer will appear in your new Bank of America account within one to two business days. This is the fastest way to fund your account if you have another bank account available.

If you do not have another bank account to link, you can deposit a check by mail. Bank of America will provide you with a mailing address during signup. Write your new account number on the back of the check and mail it in. Processing takes 5 to 7 business days after Bank of America receives it. You can also deposit cash at a Bank of America ATM or branch once your debit card arrives.

Some people open the account with the minimum required deposit (or zero, depending on the product) and fund it later. This is fine — your account will be active and ready to use even if the balance is low or zero.

What happens if your process is denied

Bank of America will deny your process if ChexSystems shows unpaid overdrafts, fraud, or repeated NSF (non-sufficient funds) activity at another bank. You will receive an email explaining the reason. You have the right to request a copy of your ChexSystems report for free within 30 days. Go to chexsystems.com/consumer to request it.

If the report contains errors — for example, an overdraft you paid or a closed account still listed as active — you can dispute it directly with ChexSystems. Disputes usually take 30 to 45 days. Once corrected, you can reapply to Bank of America.

If your report is accurate but you still want a Bank of America account, the SafeBalance product is designed for people with banking history issues. It has no monthly fee and no overdraft fees (because overdrafts are not permitted). You can reapply for SafeBalance even if you were denied for another product.

Fees and what to watch for

SafeBalance has no monthly maintenance fee. Advantage charges $12 per month but the fee is waived if you maintain a $1,500 balance or have $250 in monthly direct deposits. Preferred charges $20 per month and requires a $10,000 balance to waive the fee. If you do not meet the waiver requirements, you will be charged the monthly fee.

All checking products charge fees for overdrafts (if you go negative), returned deposits, and wire transfers. ATM fees explore if you use a non-Bank of America ATM, though Bank of America reimburses out-of-network ATM fees at the end of each month if you meet certain balance requirements. Read the fee schedule for your chosen product before you finish signup.

Bank of America offers overdraft protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit line. If you overdraft, the bank transfers money automatically to cover it, usually for a $12 fee per transfer. You can turn this on or off after your account opens.

After your account opens: next steps

Your debit card will arrive within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it by calling the number on the card or through the mobile app. Until it arrives, you can use your account number and routing number to set up direct deposit or make online transfers.

Set up online banking by logging into bankofamerica.com with your username and password. read the mobile app if you want to check your balance, transfer money, or deposit checks by phone camera. You can also visit a branch to pick up a debit card when ready if you need one before the mail arrives.

If you want to add a second person to the account (a joint owner or authorized user), you can do this online or at a branch. Joint owners have equal access and responsibility; authorized users can use the card but do not own the account. Bank of America will verify the second person's identity before adding them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Bank of America checking account if I have been denied before?

It depends on why you were denied. If ChexSystems shows old unpaid overdrafts, you may be able to reapply after disputing the report or after enough time has passed. If you were denied for SafeBalance specifically, you cannot reapply for 24 hours. If you were denied for Advantage or Preferred, try SafeBalance instead — it has fewer restrictions and no overdraft fees.

What if I cannot verify my identity online?

Bank of America will offer alternatives: you can visit a branch in person with your ID, or you can mail in a copy of your ID and other documents. The branch route is faster — usually same-day approval. The mail route takes 5 to 10 business days. Bank of America will tell you which option is available for your situation.

Do I need a minimum deposit to open the account?

SafeBalance requires no minimum deposit. Advantage and Preferred do not require a minimum to open, but you will be charged a monthly fee unless you meet the balance or deposit waiver. You can open with $0 and fund it later, but you will owe the monthly fee if you do not meet the waiver requirement.

How long does it take to access my account after I open it?

Your account is active when ready after you complete the process and verify your identity — usually within 10 to 30 minutes. You can log in and see your account number right away. Your debit card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Money you transfer from another bank appears in 1 to 2 business days.

Can I change my checking product after I open the account?

Yes. You can switch between SafeBalance, Advantage, and Preferred anytime through online banking or at a branch. There is no fee to change products. If you switch to a product with a monthly fee, the fee will start the next month.