5 simple steps to establish a US bank account
When you open a bank account online or in-person, you will need to provide the bank, credit union, or financial institution with specific documentation which meets their eligibility requirements.
Certain types of accounts, such as saving accounts, joint accounts, or certificates of deposits (CD) have a minimum age or other additional specifications.
What do I need to open a US bank account?
- Two forms of government-issued photo identification, such as a valid driver’s license, passport or student ID
- A social security number or individual taxpayer identification number
- A utility bill with current address information
- Contact information such as name, address, and phone number
- Student checking accounts may require proof of enrollment in an eligible school, such as a student ID or an acceptance letter.
- If the bank has a minimum deposit requirement, you may need to provide this when applying.
How to open a bank account
You can open a bank account by following these simple steps:
- Select a bank after making sure to consider the features, benefits, ATM access, and account types, as well as any applicable monthly fees.
- Confirm the bank or credit union’s eligibility and age requirements for opening a savings or checking account.
- Visit a local branch or access their online site to learn more about the terms and conditions.
- Choose the preferred accounts for you, such as checking, savings, or both.
- Read all the information provided thoroughly. Once approved, request a debit card.
Start sending money with Paysend within minutes, with most of our transfers completing in close to real-time! You may also read about how to easily make your first transfer with Paysend
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Последние посты
Sending money abroad should feel simple, but if your international transfer is delayed or not received, it’s natural to wonder what went wrong.
International money transfers can be delayed, held, or returned for several reasons, most commonly due to compliance checks, missing information, processing cut-off times, or intermediary bank reviews. Industry reporting suggests that while the majority of transfers complete successfully, a small but meaningful share requires manual handling or additional processing, which can cause delays.
It’s important to understand that international money transfers involve multiple institutions, compliance checks, and settlement systems. Because of this, delays or exceptions are not unusual and are typically linked to process or regulatory requirements rather than technical failures or user mistakes.
With that in mind, this guide explains why international transfers may not be received as expected, how often this happens and what you can realistically do next.
Following the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June 2026, Paysend is waiving its transfer fee on money sent to Venezuela for two weeks, from 25 June to July 9 2026, so you can support family and friends without paying a fee. Exchange rates apply as normal, and you'll always see the full cost before you send.
