What identification do you need to open a bank account

When opening a bank account, typically documentation and proof of identity are needed to get the application and review process started.

First, you will need to select a bank, which can seem intimidating given the number of options out there.

Second, whether you apply online or in person, you will need to provide documentation to confirm your identity (see Acceptable Forms of ID for Banks below). And third, you may be required to make an initial deposit into the bank account depending on the requirements of the bank and that specific account (see Requirements to Open a Bank Account below).

With a parent or guardian co-signer or joint account holder, minors and teenagers can also have access to a Huntington checking or savings account. Be sure to check with your financial institution to verify the documentation that will be needed to open an account. Additional documentation may be required if you’re looking to open a business account or certain types of investment accounts.

Acceptable Forms of ID for Banks

Most banks request two forms of government issued ID. Generally, the phrase “government issued ID” covers the following types of ID:

• Driver’s license
• REAL ID card
• DoD ID card (also known as Department of Defense ID Card)
• Passport/Passport card
• Social security card
• Birth certificate

Financial institutions that require two forms of ID may want at least one of the IDs to be a photo ID. If you don’t have two of these documents, contact your bank and ask them what you need. There may be alternatives.

Requirements to Open a Bank Account

In addition to having two forms of ID and money for the initial deposit, there may be other requirements to open a bank account.

• If you’re worried about your credit score, ask the bank whether or not they will pull your credit history to open a checking account. This can vary from bank to bank.
• If you’re under 18 years old, you will need a parent or guardian over 18 to open the account with you.
• If you’re a parent and want to open a bank account for your child or teenager, your qualifications may need to be approved to open the account. You should be aware that banks may review your prior banking history, looking for overdrawn accounts, fraud, and other behaviors that indicate negative financial history†.
• If you’re opening a joint account, you will need to provide documentation to confirm the identity of each person listed as an account holder and a signature from each of them. It’s best to get everybody together in one place to complete the application.

Every bank has different application requirements to open an account. As a tip, it’s important to monitor your credit score, pay your bills on time, and not overextend your or your family’s budget to help maintain healthy finances.

How Much Money Do You Need to Open a Bank Account?

The simple answer, it can vary from bank to bank. It can also depend on the bank account type.

At Huntington, all three of our checking accounts have a no minimum deposit requirement to open. However, in two of our checking accounts, you will need to keep a certain balance threshold, so maintenance fees can be waived and to become eligible to receive more competitive rates.

Savings and investment accounts have different application and balance requirements. To learn more, check out our different types of savings accounts to get specific information. Huntington offers a variety of accounts to help everyone reach their financial goals.

If you open an account with Huntington, you can take advantage of The Hub, our digital banking tools that can help you manage your finances.

Open a Huntington Checking Account

If you want a basic checking account with no monthly maintenance fee, or an interest-earning checking account, we've got the options that are right for you.

Learn More

If you’re looking to open a checking or savings account or need help finding what account is best for you, talk to a Huntington banker today. We’re ready to help. Are you ready to open a Huntington bank account? Apply online or visit your local Huntington branch today!

† Sarita Harbour, “Why Banks Run a Credit Check when You Open a Checking Account.” Go Banking Rates. August 30, 2016.

Can I apply for a bank account?

We offer a range of bank accounts, with different features that may fit your needs.

For most of our current accounts, you need to be;

• Aged 18+ 
• A UK resident

There are a few exceptions. Our Adapt account is for young people; you can apply between the ages of 11 - 17. For our Student bank accounts, you need to be aged 17+.

Some of our accounts have extra eligibility criteria required to apply. If applicable, you can find these on the webpage for the account you're interested in, or in our Current Account Terms & Conditions PDF (834KB)

How do I prove my identity online?

We want to get your account up and running as soon as possible, so, if we can, we'll ask you to upload some documents as part of your application.

This is important, as it helps us check you are who you say you are.

We'll probably ask for;

• Photo ID, such as: driver's licence, passport or EU ID card
• A short video or selfie to compare with your photo ID 
• We might also need to see a proof of address, such as: a driver's licence, utility bill, bank statement or tax document

If you don't have your documents with you, you can select to do this later. Once you've finished your application look out for an email and text from us and our security partners, HooYu or DigiDocs. 

Documents we can accept

The quickest way to get an account is to apply online, but if you haven't got the documents for online ID, we accept others when you return your documents to one of our branches or send them in the post to us. You'll need one item to confirm your identity and another document that we can accept as proof of your address. You may, however, use your Full or Provisional UK Driving Licence as proof of both your identity and address.

Documents we can accept in branch:

Select the options below to take a look at the different documents:

Documents we can accept by post:

Select the options below to take a look at the different documents:

Looking to open a savings account?

If you want to open one of our Instant Access savings accounts, you must be a current account customer. If you want to open one of our Fixed Term accounts, or ISA's, you'll need to provide proof of ID and address.

New to the UK?

If you're new to the UK or are arriving soon, you'll need to know your new UK address before applying, and enter this during your application. 

Once you've applied, we'll ask you for proof of identity and proof of UK address, which we'll need to verify before we open your account. 

Why do banks ask for proof of ID and address?

It's important that banks work hard on processes that help prevent money laundering. This is when criminals try to disguise money that has been made illegally, to use it for their own future purposes.

To do this, criminals often attempt to open a bank account using fake or stolen ID. We try to stop this by verifying all of our new customers as genuine, by asking for proof of identity and often current address.

If you are applying online, we try our best to complete this electronically, using our security partners DigiDocs or HooYu, so the process is as easy as possible for you. This is why we ask you to have your ID at hand before you begin your application.

Compare current accounts

Now that you know what you’ll need to open an account, it’s time to pick one. Take a look at our guide to understand which could be right for you.

Check your financial health

With our financial heath check tool you can review your finances and get tips and tricks to make better decisions.

Plan a budget

Looking to get your spending under control? Our budget calculator can help you work out how much you can spend and how much to save.

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