How to get a proof of address in the US in 2024
If you want to open a bank account in the US, the bank will ask you to prove your identity and residence in the United States. However, getting a proof of address in the US can be tricky for some customers, especially those who have just arrived and don’t have any formal bills or statements.
Luckily, there are alternatives. Services like Wise or Revolut may help because they let you open multi-currency accounts without requiring proof of address in the US.
In this article, we’ll look at what is a proof of address, documents that are generally accepted as proof of address, as well as how to get a US proof of address. We will also look at alternative digital services like Wise and Revolut that don’t require proof of address to open an account. Read on.
What is proof of address?
As the name says, proof of address is a document, or documents that confirm that you have a residence in the United States. These include any documents that have your name and physical residential address on it.
| Examples of proof of address documents: |
|---|
|
Most documents will need to be less than a year to three months old, although the rules will differ depending on the type of document you use.
Note that each bank will also have different requirements and some may only accept some of the listed options. That’s why you should always check with your chosen bank what documents they require before opening an account.
Banks need to confirm your address for security reasons and to limit illegal activities like fraud and money laundering. They use the proof of address to confirm that you are who you say you are and that you are not opening the account under a false name.
How can I get a proof of address?
Getting a proof of address is as easy as finding that last utility bill, bank statement, payslip or lease agreement that has your physical address on it. However, getting a proof of address can be tricky if you’re not living in the US yet, or if you’ve just arrived and haven’t secured a permanent residence like a house or a flat, received your first paycheck or paid a utility bill.
But there are options. If you’re in the US to study, you can get a letter from your school or you can apply for a photo ID card from a government agency in the state that you live in. A photo ID card can also be used as a proof of address document when needed.
Another alternative is to change the address at your current bank to the address in the US where you will be staying, either at friends, family or hotel or B&B, and then get your bank to send you a statement to that address. The address may be temporary, but it may be enough to allow you to open a bank account in the US.
What documents can be considered proof of address?
As a rule, any document that shows your physical address. This can be one of the following:
- Utility bills
- Property tax receipt
- Recent mortgage or bank statements
- Recent payslip
- Posted mail with name of applicant
- A valid driver’s license
- A valid lease agreement
- Insurance card
- Voter registration card
- Bank or credit statement
- Insurance policy or bill
- College Enrollment Papers
It’s important to note that every document should be valid and that every state has its own rules. That means that while one document may be accepted in one state, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be accepted in another.
How to get proof of address without bills
If you don’t yet have any bills that you can use as proof of address – no worries! US banks also accept alternative documents, like a lease agreement, government-issued documents, such as a driver’s license, insurance policies and vehicle registration or employer and college enrollment documents.
Do banks require proof of address to open an account?
To open an account at a traditional US bank, like Bank of America, U.S. Bank or Wells Fargo, you will need to provide proof of residence. This can be difficult if you are living outside the US. Getting proof of residence can also be a challenge if you are a new arrival and you are staying with friends, family or other accommodations like B&Bs or hotels until you can find a more permanent place to stay.
Are you new to the US and don’t have a bank account yet?
If you recently arrived in the United States and you want to open a US bank account, getting a proof of address can be a challenge. But there are other solutions. Service providers like Wise and Revolut can offer a bank-like account without the hassle of paperwork. You either supply the proof from a standard list of documents or send a selfie in which you’re holding your proof of ID. This can be a great alternative if you’re still waiting to move to the US or haven’t yet got bills and other paperwork registered in your name.
Wise
Wise is an international money transfer provider that offers low fees, fast transfers and a multi-currency account where you can hold more than 40 different currencies. The Wise debit card can be used like a regular debit card to pay for goods and services around the world, including the US.
However, Wise is not a bank and doesn’t provide traditional banking services like interest-bearing accounts, overdrafts, loans and the like, but they are registered with FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) and supervised by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in the US.
Learn more: How to open a Wise Account
Revolut
Revolut offers a limited number of bank-like services similar to those offered by traditional banks, including interest-bearing accounts and investments. They also provide international money transfer services and several money-management tools. You can choose from various tiers of account options. While Revolut offers many bank-like services, like Wise, it is not a bank.
Can I open a bank account without a proof of address?
To open a bank account with a traditional US bank like Wells Fargo, U.S Bank or Bank of America, you will need to provide proof of address. You can’t open an account without one at these banks. Several documents can be presented as proof of address, including recent utility bills, payslips, lease agreements, personal tax documents or a letter from an educational institution.
For instance, Bank of America requires you to provide your current residential address. While they allow U.S. visa holders to open an account, non-US citizens will need to bring with them either a U.S. government-issued photo ID, a student or employer photo ID, current utility bill or rental agreement that shows your name and U.S. physical address.
Are there any US banks that don’t require proof of address?
Unfortunately, most major banks in the US require proof of address as part of their application and verification process. However, there are several alternatives like Wise or Revolut that let you open accounts with proof of residence of your country of residence, and not specifically the US.
While Wise or Revolut are not banks and do not offer banking features, they do allow you to hold foreign currencies, including USD, in multi-currency accounts. Learn more: Can I use Wise as a bank account?
What other documents are required to open a bank account?
Aside from proof of identity and proof of address, most US banks will also ask for at least two forms of government-issued ID, and a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) as well as a cash deposit, which can range anywhere from $25 to $100. Non-US citizens who don’t have a SSN will likely need an ITIN.
Conclusion: Proof of address for bank account
If you want to open a bank account in the United States, you’ll be asked for proof of ID and address as part of their application and verification process. Documents include utility bills, U.S. government-issued photo ID, like a valid driver’s license, a valid lease agreement or mortgage or payslips that show your name and a physical U.S. address.
For those who are new to the U.S., financial institutions like Wise or Revolut are a great alternative, allowing you to open a multi-currency account with a linked debit card in USD without proof of address in the United States. All you’ll need is a valid ID, phone number and proof of address in your country of residence.
Proof of address FAQs
How recent does proof of address need to be?
Regardless of the proof of address you use, the documents that you provide should be recent and should show your full legal name and current address.
What’s the easiest way to get a local proof of address?
Getting a proof of address if you are not in the US, or if you have just arrived in the US can be a challenge. One of the easiest ways to get a proof of address is to change the address at your current bank to the address in the US where you will be staying, either at friends, family or hotel or B&B, and then get your bank to send you a statement to that address. The address may be temporary, but it may be enough to allow you to open a bank account in the US.
How do you get a physical proof of address?
Documents like utility bills, lease agreements, or bank statements delivered to your physical address by the U.P.S (U.S. Postal Service) are considered physical proof of address and can be used to open a bank account in the US.
