General Information
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Many banks and credit unions open accounts for people without a social security number. No laws prohibit banks from serving people who do not have a social security number. Under the USA PATRIOT Act, banks must ask you for your name, birth date, street address and an identification number.
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If you are not a U.S. citizen, this number may be a social security number, an individual taxpayer Identification number (ITIN) from the IRS, or the number from a U.S., state, or foreign government-issued Identification (e.g., passport, state ID, or matricular consular ID).
- Most credit unions offer savings and checking accounts, loans, credit cards and other services. Unlike banks, credit unions are not-for-profit and are cooperatively owned by their members. They tend to charge low fees and interest rates. Like banks, credit unions are government regulates and insures accounts.
To open a bank account you will need:
- U.S., state, or foreign government-issued Identification.
- A minimum deposit that may range from $25 dollars to $150. Check with the bank for certainty.
- NOTE: Some banks have stricter rules than the law requires, but others have more flexible policies and accept a range of documents
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