Can I Open a Free Online Bank Account Without an ID? (2024)

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If you are looking to open a free online bank account without an ID, you will be out of luck. In the United States, the United Kingdom, and around the world, banks will require you to show proof of identity to open a bank account.

However, virtual accounts (sometimes called neobanks) with easy sign-ups do exist. In this guide, we explain how to open an account.

Then, we provide recommendations for the best free online checking accounts with low requirements, such as Chime for no opening deposit, Wise for no social security number, or Monese for no proof of UK residency.

Can I Open a Bank Account Without Identification?

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Many bank clients in the United States and around the world are turning to online banks (or neobanks) because accounts can be opened virtually online.

This comes as no surprise since most accounts are free from monthly fees. Clients no longer need to wait in line to cash a check and they can track their spending habits from the comfort of their mobile smartphones.

Are There Banks That Don’t Need ID To Open an Account?

As easy as online checking accounts may be to open, you will still be required to show at least a valid form of identification during sign-up. Banks are mandated to ensure that their clients meet certain age and residency requirements.

Traditional big banks will also need to see proof of residency and your social security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) before opening an account for you. Undocumented immigrants in need of banking are legally allowed to apply for and receive an ITIN from the IRS.

Neobanks, on the other hand, may not ask for these forms of identification.

As we show further in this guide, you may be able to do online banking by simply showing proof of address, proof of residency, or any valid form of government-issued ID.

How To Open a Free Virtual Bank Account

Each neobank will have its own requirements and documents needed to open an account for you.

Required Documents Will Vary by Bank

For example, Chime has no opening deposit or minimum deposit requirement but it does only open accounts for social security number holders. Revolut and Majority, on the other hand, do not have an SSN or ITIN requirement but do need proof of US residency.

Monese is available to all EU and UK residents, and only requires identification, an email address, and a phone number. Wise is an easy checking account that requires neither an SSN nor proof of US residency.

8 Steps to Open a Free Online Checking Account

All in all, you can follow these general steps to open a low-barrier virtual bank account for free:

1. Compare checking accounts by reading Monito's neobank reviews;
2. Download the desired neobank app on your mobile phone;
3. Enter your phone number or email to begin sign-up;
4. Enter the verification code sent to you to confirm your phone or email;
5. Upload required documents (photo ID, SSN, address, etc);
6. Take a selfie to confirm your identification;
7. Wait for identity confirmation and notification of account activation;
8. Get debit card in mail and enjoy your new free online bank account.

5 Great Virtual Checking Accounts

While you will be required to show proof of ID before opening a free bank account online, we have provided a list of high-quality neobank accounts that have easy sign-up processes.

Have a look at these five excellent checking accounts that have online and mobile functionality available in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and around the world:

Chime — Mobile Financial App With No Opening Deposit

Chime is not only ranked as one of the best online accounts in the US on Monito. We also consider it an exceptional mobile financial app and debit card with no opening deposit.

You can sign up for the optional Chime (High Yield) Savings (“HYS”) Account with APY³ (which requires a Chime Checking Account), which builds your credit score without you having to take on any debt⁴. Chime's free ATM withdrawals¹ even range across the United States to parts of Mexico and the United Kingdom. Link up your other bank accounts for free and instantly send money to friends who are already Chime cardholders.

You must have a social security number to open an account.

Monito Score

• Trust & Credibility

  9.5

• Service & Quality

  8.8

• Fees & Exchange Rates

  9.8

• Customer Satisfaction

  9.6

Go to Chime ❯

• Availability: United States
• Requires ID: Yes
• SSN/ITIN: Yes
• Proof of Residency: Yes
• Monthly Fee: $0¹
• Opening Deposit: $0
• Read thefull Chime review.

Monese — Best Virtual Bank Account in the UK

Monese is perhaps the UK's most accessible neobank, requiring just a phone number, email, and photo ID to open an account.

In minutes, you should be able to get a sort code for a British pound account and IBANs for a Euro account and a Romanian lei account.

The free account offers joint accounts, international money transfers, bill purchase protection, and access to insurance. Their exchange rate fees and ATM fees decrease if you pay for their membership plans.

Monito Score

• Trust & Credibility

  7.6

• Service & Quality

  9.0

• Fees & Exchange Rates

  6.6

• Customer Satisfaction

  8.7

Go to Monese ❯

• Availability: the United Kingdom, 30 EEA Countries
• Requires ID: Yes
• SSN/ITIN: No
• Proof of Residency: No
• Monthly Fee: $0
• Opening Deposit: $0
• Read thefull Monese review.

Majority — International Calls and Support in Your Language

Majority calls themself the all-in-one bank for migrants and for good reason. The online bank account app comes with free international calls to Mexico, the United Kingdom, and 20 other countries. They offer low rates to other countries too.

The mobile app allows you to easily top up airtime to your family members' phones, send international money transfers, use a debit card with no foreign transaction fees, and call multi-lingual customer service. Majority membership costs $5.99 per month.

Majority does not require SSN but does ask for proof of US residency to open an account.

Monito Score

• Trust & Credibility

  7.9

• Service & Quality

  7.5

• Fees & Exchange Rates

  9.3

• Customer Satisfaction

  9.8

Go to Majority ❯

• Availability: United States
• Requires ID: Yes
• SSN/ITIN: No
• Proof of Residency: Yes
• Monthly Fee: $5.99
• Opening Deposit: $0
• Read thefull Majority review.

Wise Multi-Currency Account — Free Multi-Currency Account

The Wise Multi-Currency Account is a powerful multi-currency account that is available to just about every region in the world, including Antarctica!

The mobile and desktop app offers four main features: cheap international money transfers, a multi-currency debit card, account details for 10 countries, and access to hold up to 53 currencies. The availability of these four products will depend on your nationality and country of residence.

Wise remains one of the best ways to get US, UK, and EU online banking for free without proof of US residency. You need only show proof of residency in one of the 218 countries, islands, and territories that Wise serves.

Monito Score

• Trust & Credibility

  9.3

• Service & Quality

  8.9

• Fees & Exchange Rates

  7.6

• Customer Satisfaction

  9.6

Go to Wise Multi-Currency Account ❯

• Availability: Worldwide
• Requires ID: Yes
• SSN/ITIN: No
• Proof of Residency: Yes
• Monthly Fee: $0
• Opening Deposit: $0
• Read thefull Wise Multi-Currency Account review.

Revolut — Withdraw $1,200 Per Month Without ATM Fees

Revolut is one of the most well-known digital finance platforms in the world with an excellent multi-currency account and debit card for spending domestically and abroad.

When you download the Revolut app on your smartphone, you'll gain access to their international money transfer system, which allows you to transfer money abroad with zero markups (depending on your membership plan). Convert your money into over 30 foreign currencies straight from the app and access those currencies with the Revolut debit or virtual card.

Perhaps most impressive is its ATM withdrawal allowance for US customers, which allows you to withdraw up to $1,200 in cash either domestically or abroad without incurring ATM fees. While Revolut does not reimburse ATM fees incurred by the ATM operator, their $1,200 allowance is competitive. In comparison, Wise charges ATM fees after you exceed withdrawing $200 per month.

To sign up, you will need to provide your phone number, email, and a form of official ID such as a passport. If you are in the United States, you do not need to be a citizen or permanent resident. Revolut does offer US accounts if you have a valid US visa in your passport.

Monito Score

• Trust & Credibility

  8.9

  See Also

  TrueLayer Blog: Everything you need to know about bank account verification

• Service & Quality

  7.9

• Fees & Exchange Rates

  8.3

• Customer Satisfaction

  9.4

Go to Revolut ❯

• Availability: European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Requires ID: Yes
• SSN/ITIN: No
• Proof of Residency: Yes
• Monthly Fee: $0
• Opening Deposit: $0
• Read thefull Revolut review.

Recapping the Best Free Online Checking Accounts

1. Chime — Best for Easy Mobile Finances With No Opening Deposit
2. Monese — Best Virtual Bank Account in the UK
3. Majority — Best for International Calls and Support in Your Language
4. Wise Multi-Currency Account — Best Free Multi-Currency Account
5. Revolut — Withdraw Up to $1,200 Per Month Without ATM Fees

FAQ About Banks That Don’t Need an ID To Open an Account

• Can I open a bank account without an ID?

  No, you cannot open a bank account without an ID. Banks are required by law to ensure you meet age and residency eligibility.

• Can I open a bank account without a social security number?

  Yes, you can. Revolut, Majority, and Wise are three virtual bank accounts that do not require social security numbers or ITINs to open a bank account.

• Can I open a bank account with no deposit?

  Yes, Chime, Monese, Majority, Wise, Revolut, and most neobanks have no opening deposit requirement. This is one major benefit of switching from traditional banking to neobanking.

• Is there a no credit check credit union account?

  Yes. Chime is one online banking platform that offers credit builder cards without credit checks and no minimum deposits.

• Which banks don't need an ID to open an account?

  There is no regulated and authorized bank that opens accounts for clients who do not provide proof of identification. If someone claims to be able to open a bank account for you without requiring ID, then beware that it is very likely not a credible or legit form of business.

• Can you open a bank account online without ID?

  No, you cannot open a bank account online without an ID. Online banking sign-ups will require you to upload one or two forms of proof of identification.

• Can I open a bank account with a passport?

  Yes, Wise and Revolut are a US online accounts that allow non-U.S. citizens to open accounts with their passports.

• What is the best free online checking account with no opening deposit?

  Chime ranked as the best mobile finances app with no opening deposit on Monito. See our full list of the best US neobanks for more information and reviews.

• Can free checking accounts have fees?

  Even if an account charges monthly or annual maintenance fees, it may still charge the following fees:

  • ATM fees,
  • Overdraft fees,
  • Bounced check fees,
  • Balance inquiry fees,
  • Fees to stop a check payment,
  • Fees on inactive accounts,
  • Check-printing fees.
• How do you open a bank account without identification?

  You cannot open a bank account from an authorized and credible financial institution without identification.

  To open an easy checking online banking account with low requirements, follow these steps instead:

  1. Compare checking accounts by readingMonito's neobank reviews;
  2. Download the desired neobank app on your mobile phone;
  3. Enter your phone number or email to begin sign-up;
  4. Enter the verification code sent to you to confirm your phone or email;
  5. Upload required documents (photo ID, SSN, address, etc);
  6. Take a selfie to confirm your identification;
  7. Wait for identity confirmation and notification of account activation;
  8. Get debit card in mail and enjoy your new free online bank account.
• What is the easiest bank to open online?

  Wise is likely the easiest online banking platform to open because it offers a US bank account number and 9 other overseas account details without requiring an SSN or US proof of residency.

  Otherwise, Chime is an award-winning mobile financial app and debit card with no deposit. Majority offers simple checking without SSN or ITIN.

  Monese is available in the UK and the EU and requires only a phone number, email, and photo ID.

• Do you need ID for online banking?

  Yes, you need a form of identification to conduct online banking with a credible and authorized financial institution. Chime, Monese, Majority, Revolut, and Wise are some of the most accessible bank accounts available but still require photo ID.

• Can I open a bank account online without an ID in the UK?

  You cannot open a UK bank account online without an ID. However, you can open a bank account with Monese, which requires only a photo ID, a phone number, and an email. Proof of residency and national insurance number is not required.

• What bank is free online?

  Most neobanks have zero monthly or annual fees, offer debit cards with no foreign transaction fees, and have no sign-up fees.

  Neobanks are incredible ways for free online checking that you can manage from your smartphone, which is why we recommend you consider switching away from traditional banking to online banking with neobanks.

  Read our comprehensive list of the best neobanks worldwide.

Disclaimers

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

¹ Out-of-network ATM withdrawal andover-the-counter advance fees may apply. See here for details.

² To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.

³ The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change anytime. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance is required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.

⁴ On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.

⁵ SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no-interest/no-fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Credit Builder Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no-fee overdraft service attached to the Chime Checking Account available to qualifying members after Visa debit card activation. Both SpotMe on Credit and SpotMe on Debit are sometimes collectively referred to as "SpotMe" or, if you have signed up to use SpotMe with only one account, "SpotMe" means the elected service. To qualify for SpotMe, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account monthly. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or Secured Deposit Account (associated with your Chime Credit Builder credit card) up to $20 but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe Debit Terms and Conditions and SpotMe on Credit Terms and Conditions.

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