How to open a bank account

You’ll want to visit your bank’s website to find out exactly what they need from you, but our guide can give you a general outline of what you can expect during the process:

The exact documents you’ll need will depend on your bank’s requirements, but having these to hand just in case will save you some time during the process: 

• Valid ID like your passport or driver's license

• Proof of address like a utility bill or lease agreement (you might need more than one of these)

• Social security number 

• Tax identification number

• Proof of employment or income

• An initial deposit as some banks will ask for this

• Digital versions of docs (in some cases) 

Depending on the type of bank you’ve chosen, you might have the option to either visit a branch in person or open an account online, so choose whichever works best for you. If you plan on applying in person, check the bank’s website to see if you need to make an appointment. It’s a good idea to get an idea of how long the application will take so you know how much time you need to complete it (here’s a tip: customers might have shared their experience of the application process in their reviews). 

Some of the positive features Trustpilot reviewers mention around bank account applications include:

• Ease of use

• Receiving account details quickly 

• Ability to use account right away

• Progress updates

Some of the more negative issues reviewers highlight include:

• Unclear questions

• Technical issues (crashing, freezing etc.) 

• No confirmation when application was complete

• Delays in receiving account details
  

Read reviews of your own bank to see what customers say about their experience. 

If you’ve put everything together beforehand then you should be able to take whatever docs you need from your handy pile. Don’t worry, if you haven’t prepped in advance then now’s the time to find what you need. 

Visit the bank or go online: If you’re visiting the bank to apply, don’t forget to bring your documents with you. Having a checklist so you know you’ve got everything in order could be helpful. Keep in mind that if you’re opening an account online, you might need to upload copies of your identification documents, send copies or complete some parts in person. But that’ll depend on the bank’s individual process, so do your research so you know what to expect.

After all that prep it’s time for the main event. When filling out the application you’ll typically be asked to provide details like your personal information, contact details, employment status, among others things. You’ll also need to read the fine print and sign any paperwork.

Depending on your bank’s process, you might be asked to make an initial deposit in order to set up your account. 

Once you've completed all the necessary steps, you'll receive your account information. This includes your account number, routing number, and any other login information for online banking.

If available, set up online banking to manage your account, view your account balance, transactions, and make transfers. 

If your bank has an app this is a good time to download it and explore the features it offers. Make sure that you’re downloading your bank’s official app and only download from official app stores like App Store and Google Play.

You're all set! But remember how tough it was to get here, the whirlwind of options and the frustration when trying to pick the best bank? Leave a review on Trustpilot to make the banking journey a little smoother for people following in your footsteps.

Trustpilot is a review platform that is open to all. The companies and profile pages referenced in this article are provided for informational purposes only and are not recommended, endorsed by, or representative of the views of Trustpilot. The Trustpilot companies linked in this post are expected to abide by Trustpilot’s Guidelines, but have not been reviewed for compliance.