- 1). Call the bank and see what identification is required. Some banks will require you to have one, while others will require two pieces of identification. Possible sources of identification are driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID and a current utility bill. A utility bill alone will never be sufficient to open a checking account.
- 2). Get identification. The minimum requirement for opening a checking account would be a state-issued identification. If you don't have a state identification, you will need to get one from the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
- 3). Order a birth certificate and social security card. These are required to get state-issued identification. To get a birth certificate, call the vital records or vital statistics department in the county in which you were born. They will charge you a fee for processing. You can request that they mail it, or you can pay over the phone by debit or credit card.
- 4). Get a social security card by calling (800) 772-1213. You will be given the option to apply for the first time or if you lost your card and need a replacement, you will be given a different option by phone. You will need to fill out an SS-5 application to get a social security card. These are available at ssa.gov. There is a link that allows you to enter your ZIP code to get a location for mailing your SS-5 form.
- 5). Go to the Department of Motor Vehicles when you get your social security card and birth certificate in the mail. Apply for a state-issued identification, which will be given to you the same day. This should allow you to open a checking account with most banks; however, you may need another source, such as a utility bill or one of the other identification sources mentioned above.
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