Prepare identity, address and tax-identification information before applying for a U.S. bank account, then confirm the exact product and application channel. A foreign passport can be an important identity document, but it does not automatically satisfy a bank's second-ID, address or tax-information requirements.
This checklist is for newcomers from any country. It helps you prepare a conversation with the bank; it is not a universal list that every institution must accept.
Your document preparation list
| Purpose | Documents or information to investigate | What to ask the bank |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Current passport and any other government ID you hold | Is it accepted as primary ID? Must it be original, unexpired or in English? |
| Additional identification | Another accepted document, potentially a student/employee ID or bank card | Which combinations work, and must the issuers be different? |
| Residential address | Current lease, qualifying statement, utility document or accepted student evidence | Which address must be documented, and how recent must the evidence be? |
| Mailing address | Reliable delivery details where permitted | Can this differ from the residential address? |
| Tax and identity number | SSN, ITIN or alternative information appropriate to the bank's process | What is required in my circumstances, and which tax certification applies? |
| Account funding | An accepted opening-deposit method | What amount, ownership and availability rules apply? |
Use our checking comparison to choose a product before assembling documents for a generic bank name.
A passport proves some facts, not every fact
Your passport may help establish identity and nationality. It may not show the address where you currently live, and the bank may require a second ID. Confirm name consistency, document expiry and whether a particular language or document format is required.
Keep the questions specific: “Will you accept this passport and this second document for this account at this branch?” is more useful than “Do you accept foreigners?”
Proof of address when you have just arrived
Ask about accepted alternatives if utilities are not in your name. Wells Fargo's branch FAQ, for example, lists address evidence including a current lease and certain student documents; some statement types have recency requirements. That illustrates why a new arrival should ask before assuming a utility bill is the only possible evidence.
Do not generalize that list to another bank. Bring a document naming you at the relevant address, and check whether a campus or temporary-housing situation is acceptable. A friend's address is not automatically suitable merely because you can receive mail there.
For student-specific preparation, use the F-1 bank account guide.
Separate an SSN, an ITIN and an alternative-ID route
Tell the bank which number you actually have. If you have neither, ask whether a published alternative-ID process applies; do not enter a made-up number to move past an online field.
An ITIN is a tax-processing number with its own IRS eligibility rules. It does not authorize work or settle immigration status. Read the IRS guidance rather than paying for an application solely because someone promises it will guarantee a bank account.
Our no-SSN banking guide explains the different routes.
Online and branch requirements can differ
An online application may support a narrower verification process than a branch. Bank of America's international-professional guidance describes an appointment-based process with documents appropriate to the customer's circumstances. That does not mean its general online form has the same capabilities.
Before travelling to a branch, ask whether the relevant process is available there and whether an appointment or specialist is needed. Bring the confirmed documents in the form the bank requires. Avoid assuming a photo on your phone can replace an original document.
A short call-ahead script
“I am applying for [account name]. I currently have [SSN, ITIN or neither], a [document name] and [address evidence]. I live in [state/country] and would apply [online/in person]. Which documents and account-opening steps apply to my situation?”
Then ask about the opening deposit, ongoing fee and what else could prevent the application being completed. Keep the response and date with your checklist. You do not need to send sensitive document numbers through an informal email or social-media conversation to ask these preparation questions.
At the appointment and after opening
Review your spelling, address and contact information before submitting. Ask for an explanation of fees, available-balance rules, debit-card delivery and how to receive your first deposit. Keep copies of the account disclosures in a secure place.
If something cannot be verified, ask what evidence is missing and whether another documented route is available. Do not repeatedly apply using different facts just to obtain a different result.
Frequently asked questions
Can a student housing letter replace a utility bill?
Some banks list student evidence, but acceptance depends on their specific rules. Ask which document, date and address details are needed.
Do I need a U.S. driver's license?
Not universally. Some banks accept other identification, including passports, under their published processes. Confirm the exact combination.
Does a complete checklist guarantee account opening?
No. The bank still has to verify information and apply the account's eligibility rules. The checklist reduces avoidable preparation problems.
Continue to choosing an account
Review our newcomer bank-account shortlist and the first-account opening guide.
Official sources
- Bank of America: international-professional identification and address guidance
- Wells Fargo: accepted identification and address evidence
- IRS: individual taxpayer identification number guidance
Research checked October 18, 2026. Provider terms, eligibility and availability can change. This guide is educational; providers make their own approval decisions.