Yes, you can open most bank accounts entirely online
You can open a checking or savings account with most banks and credit unions without visiting a branch. The process takes 10 to 20 minutes on a computer or phone, and you'll have an account number and routing number the same day. You won't fund the account or use it until you transfer money in, which happens through a separate step.
Not every bank offers online account opening, and the ones that do have different requirements. Online-only banks (sometimes called neobanks) almost always let you open accounts this way. Traditional banks with physical branches usually do too, though a few still require an in-person visit. Credit unions vary — some have full online opening, others require you to visit a branch or mail in documents.
The catch is identity verification. Banks must confirm you are who you say you are before they open an account. Online banks do this through your phone's camera, your Social Security number, and questions about your credit history. If you don't have a credit history or the system can't verify you that way, you may have to mail in a government ID or visit a branch instead.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks and credit unions let you open an account online in 10 to 20 minutes using a computer or phone.
- You will need a government ID, Social Security number, and a way to verify your identity — usually through your phone's camera or answers to security questions.
- Online-only banks almost always offer online opening; traditional banks usually do but not always; credit unions vary by institution.
- Your account opens the same day, but you cannot use it until you deposit money, which is a separate step that takes one to three business days.
- If the bank cannot verify your identity online, they will ask you to mail in documents or visit a branch — this adds one to two weeks to the process.
What you need before you start
Have your Social Security number ready. Banks ask for it during account opening to check your identity and run a background check through ChexSystems, a database that tracks banking history. You will also need a government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some banks photograph it with your phone; others ask you to type in the number.
You need a phone with a camera if the bank uses video verification. This is the fastest method — you hold your ID up to the camera, the bank's system reads it, and you answer a few security questions. If you don't have a smartphone or the camera method fails, the bank will offer alternatives: mailing in a copy of your ID, or answering more detailed questions about your credit history and past addresses.
Have your current address ready. Banks ask for it during opening and use it to verify your identity. If you recently moved, have both your old and new address on hand — some systems ask for both.
The step-by-step process
Start on the bank's website or app and look for a button that says "Open an Account" or "get your free guide." You will enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address. The bank runs this information through identity verification systems in real time. If it matches public records, you move to the next step. If it does not match, the bank will ask for more information or offer an alternative verification method.
Next comes identity verification itself. If the bank uses video verification, you will be asked to photograph your government ID with your phone's camera. Hold the ID flat, make sure it is well-lit, and follow the on-screen instructions. The system reads the ID and compares it to the information you entered. This takes two to three minutes.
After verification, you answer security questions. These are usually about your credit history: "Which of these addresses have you lived at?" or "Which lender did you have a car loan with?" You do not need a perfect credit score to pass — the bank is checking that you know your own history, not that you have good credit. Answer based on what you actually know.
Once you pass verification, you choose your account type (checking, savings, or both), set a PIN for your debit card if the bank issues one, and review the account terms. Read the fee schedule — some banks charge monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, or fees for using out-of-network ATMs. Then you confirm and submit. Your account opens when ready.
What happens after your account opens
You will receive an account number and routing number on screen right away. Write these down or take a screenshot. You can use them to set up direct deposit or transfer money from another account. Your debit card, if the bank issues one, ships separately and arrives in five to ten business days.
Before you can use your account, you must deposit money into it. This is not part of the opening process — it is a separate step. You can transfer money from another bank account (takes one to three business days), deposit a check through the bank's mobile app if it has mobile check deposit (takes one to three business days), or visit an ATM or branch to deposit cash (available when ready if you use the bank's own ATM).
Some banks place a hold on your first deposit while they verify the transfer came from a legitimate source. This usually lasts one business day. Until the hold clears, you cannot withdraw the money, though some banks let you spend it with a debit card.
When online opening will not work
If the bank's identity verification system cannot confirm who you are, you will be offered alternatives. The most common is mailing in a copy of your government ID. The bank will send you instructions with a mailing address. This adds five to ten business days to the process because the bank has to receive your documents, scan them, and verify them manually.
Some banks ask you to visit a branch in person if online verification fails. This is less common with online-only banks (which have no branches) and more common with traditional banks. If you choose this route, bring your government ID and Social Security number. The branch can open your account in 15 to 30 minutes.
You may also be denied an account if you have a history of fraud or unpaid fees at another bank. ChexSystems reports this information, and banks use it to decide whether to open accounts. If you are denied, you have the right to request a copy of your ChexSystems report and dispute inaccurate information. Some banks specialize in accounts for people with ChexSystems records — these usually require an in-person visit or mailed documents.
Online banks versus traditional banks with online opening
Online-only banks (like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover) have no physical branches. They offer online account opening to everyone, usually with video verification. They tend to have lower fees and higher interest rates on savings accounts because they have no branch costs. The trade-off is that you cannot deposit cash in person — you must transfer it from another account or use a check deposit app.
Traditional banks with online opening (like Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo) have both branches and online options. You can open an account online but also visit a branch to deposit cash, get a cashier's check, or talk to someone in person. They may charge monthly maintenance fees that online-only banks do not. Some traditional banks still require an in-person visit for account opening — check their website before you start.
Credit unions vary widely. Some offer full online opening; others require you to be a member of a specific group (like employees of a company or members of an organization) before you can open an account at all. Check your credit union's website or call to ask whether online opening is available.
Timing and what to expect
| Step | Time to Complete | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Fill in your information and verify identity | 10 to 20 minutes | Bank confirms who you are through video, ID scan, or security questions |
| Account opens | when ready | You receive account number and routing number on screen |
| Debit card arrives (if issued) | 5 to 10 business days | Card ships from the bank's processing center |
| Transfer money from another account | 1 to 3 business days | Funds move between banks; hold may explore for 1 business day |
| Mobile check deposit | 1 to 3 business days | You photograph a check with the bank's app; funds post after verification |
| Cash deposit at ATM (your bank's ATM) | when ready to 1 business day | Cash is available right away or by the next morning |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a credit card or existing bank account to open an account online?
No. Banks do not require you to have a credit card or another bank account. They do require a Social Security number and government ID so they can verify your identity. If you have no credit history, the bank may ask more security questions or request that you mail in documents, but you can still open an account.
What if I do not have a smartphone for video verification?
Tell the bank during the opening process that you cannot use video verification. They will offer alternatives: mailing in a copy of your ID, answering more security questions, or visiting a branch. Mailing in documents takes longer (five to ten business days), but it works without a smartphone.
Can I open an account if I have been denied before?
It depends on why you were denied. If you have unpaid fees or fraud on your ChexSystems report, some banks will still open accounts for you — look for banks that specialize in second-chance banking. Request your ChexSystems report to see what is listed. If the information is wrong, you can dispute it. Some banks will open an account once the dispute is resolved.
How long before I can use my new account?
Your account opens the same day, but you cannot use it until money is in it. If you transfer from another bank account, that takes one to three business days. If you deposit a check through the app, that takes one to three business days. If you deposit cash at your bank's ATM, it is available when ready or by the next morning. Plan for three business days if you are transferring from another bank.
Will opening an account online hurt my credit score?
No. Banks check your identity and banking history through ChexSystems, not through a credit bureau. Opening a bank account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score.