You can open a US bank account without an SSN using a foreign passport, a US driver's license, or a national ID, plus a US address and basic personal details.
Quick answer
US law does not require every financial provider to collect a Social Security Number when you open an account. Newcomer-focused providers complete identity verification using a government-issued photo ID, your US address, and a quick selfie taken in the app. Verification is typically digital and takes a few minutes, so you can finish the whole sign-up from your phone.
What you need to know
- An SSN is not required at every US financial provider. Newcomer-focused providers can verify your identity using a passport, a US driver's license, or another valid government-issued photo ID.
- You will still be asked for your full legal name, date of birth, a current US residential address, and a US phone number.
- You will usually take a selfie in the app so the provider can match your face to the photo on your ID.
- If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), you can enter it during sign-up. If you have neither an SSN nor an ITIN, many newcomer-focused providers let you select "I do not have one" and continue.
- Verification is typically digital and takes a few minutes, although manual review can extend it to one business day in some cases.
What documents are accepted to open a US account without an SSN
Most newcomer-focused providers accept one piece of valid government-issued photo identification, plus proof of a US address. The exact list varies by provider, so check the accepted-ID list before you start the application. The table below shows the documents MAJORITY accepts for identity verification.
| ID type | Description | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| US driver's license | A photo ID issued by a US state DMV | Anyone living in a US state who has a valid state-issued license |
| Foreign passport | A national passport issued by your home country | Citizens of many countries with a valid, unexpired passport |
| National ID card | A photo ID issued by your home country's civil registry | Citizens of certain countries that issue a national identity card |
| Passport extension (prórroga del pasaporte) | An official extension of an existing passport's validity period | Venezuelan citizens whose passport is being renewed under the prórroga policy, while the extension period is still valid |
Photocopies and scanned documents are not accepted. The image you upload must be sharp, taken in good light without glare, and show all four corners of the document.
Some US financial providers, mostly community banks, credit unions, and a handful of newcomer-focused fintechs, also accept the matrícula consular de alta seguridad issued by Mexican consulates and a few other consular IDs from Latin American countries. Acceptance varies by provider and by state, so confirm directly with the provider before you start. If your specific consular ID is not listed, ask whether a passport from the same country is accepted instead.
Step-by-step: opening an account without an SSN
The sign-up flow at most newcomer-focused providers runs entirely in the app and usually takes a few minutes end to end. The 10 steps below describe the MAJORITY flow specifically, and most providers follow a similar pattern.
- Download the provider's app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Enter your email and a US phone number. A verification code is sent to the phone number, so it needs to be one you can receive texts on.
- Provide your personal information. Full legal name, date of birth, and current US residential address. P.O. boxes are typically not accepted; a physical address is required.
- Select your country of origin in the verification menu. The app shows the documents accepted for your nationality.
- Upload a photo of your ID. Lay the document flat on a plain surface in natural light, with all four corners visible in the frame. National IDs and driver's licenses usually need both sides photographed.
- Take a selfie in the app. This confirms you are the person shown on the ID.
- Choose your tax ID option. Enter your SSN or ITIN if you have one, or select "I do not have one" to continue with alternative verification.
- Wait for verification. The process is typically digital and takes a few minutes. In some cases, manual review can extend it to one business day.
- Set a 4-digit access code to secure the account on your device.
- Activate your debit card when it arrives, and start using the account.
If a document upload is rejected, the most common cause is image quality rather than the document itself. Retake the photo in better light against a plain darker surface, and check that the text is sharp before re-uploading.
Why some providers ask for an SSN, and why it is not always required
Under the Customer Identification Program rules in the USA PATRIOT Act, every US financial provider must verify each member's identity before opening an account. The rule sets the standard, but providers have flexibility in how they meet it. An SSN is one common identifier, an ITIN is another, and in many cases a foreign passport combined with US address verification is enough.
This is why people without an SSN can still open an account at newcomer-focused providers. The group includes people on a work or student visa, ITIN holders who file US taxes, and recent arrivals waiting on their SSN application. The verification still happens; the inputs are just different.
What to expect after your account is open
Once verification clears, your account is active and the debit card ships. At MAJORITY, membership is $5.99 per month and includes the account, the MAJORITY Visa® Debit Card, money transfers to more than 30 countries, mobile top-ups, international calling, and peer-to-peer payments. Money transfers and international calling are non-deposit services and are not FDIC-insured.
Funds you deposit in the MAJORITY account are held at Axiom Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, and are FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 per depositor, in the event Axiom fails and subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.
What to do next
- Have your accepted ID ready (a passport is the most universally accepted choice if you have one).
- Confirm your current US residential address and a US phone number where you can receive a text.
- Download the provider's app and start the sign-up flow.
- If a document upload fails, retake the photo with better lighting and a plain background, and make sure all four corners of the ID are visible.
How MAJORITY can help
MAJORITY is a financial membership built for migrants in the US. The sign-up flow accepts a US driver's license, a passport from many supported countries, a national ID for certain countries, or a Venezuelan prórroga del pasaporte, with no SSN required. You can see the accepted documents for your country once you select your country of origin in the app.
Frequently asked questions
Can you open a US bank account without a Social Security Number?
Yes. US law does not require every financial provider to collect an SSN to open an account. Newcomer-focused providers verify your identity with a government-issued photo ID, your US address, and a selfie. An ITIN can be used in place of an SSN if you have one, and some providers will let you continue with neither.
What do I need to open a US bank account if I do not have an SSN?
A valid government-issued photo ID (passport, US driver's license, or national ID), your full legal name and date of birth, a current US residential address, and a US phone number. Most providers will also ask you to take a selfie during sign-up so they can match your face to the photo on your ID.
Can immigrants open a US bank account without an SSN?
Yes, at newcomer-focused providers. Federal rules let providers verify identity with alternative IDs such as a foreign passport, an ITIN, or a national ID, so people on visas, ITIN holders, and recent arrivals can open an account before an SSN is issued. Specific accepted documents vary by provider.
Can I use my passport instead of an SSN to open a US account?
Yes, at many newcomer-focused providers. A valid foreign passport plus proof of a US address is often enough to complete identity verification, even without an SSN. Specific accepted countries vary by provider, so check the provider's accepted-ID list before you start.
How long does it take to open a US account without an SSN?
The sign-up itself usually takes a few minutes in the app. Identity verification is typically digital and also takes a few minutes, although in some cases manual review can extend it to one business day.
Is my money protected if I open an account without an SSN?
Whether or not you have an SSN, funds you deposit in an FDIC-insured account are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, subject to the program's conditions, if the bank fails. At MAJORITY, deposits are held at Axiom Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, and FDIC pass-through insurance applies on the same basis. Non-deposit services such as money transfers and international calling are not FDIC-insured.
Disclosures
The MAJORITY app facilitates banking services through Axiom Bank, N.A. ("Axiom"), Member FDIC. The funds deposited in the account held at Axiom, Member FDIC, are FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 per depositor in the event Axiom fails and subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Non-deposit products or services such as money transfers and telecom services are not FDIC-insured.
MAJORITY Visa® Debit Card is issued by Axiom Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.