Is There a Way for a Student to Get a Checking Account Without a Driver's License?

In Person

• Student checking accounts can be opened in person at your local bank. Many banks require you to open the account in person if you are an international student or a student who will need to use cash for the opening deposit because you do not have an account elsewhere. You will have to provide identification, but if you don't have a driver's license, you have other options. Citibank, for example, will allow you to use a state-issued ID, a school ID, a military ID, a passport or an alien registration card as a primary form of identification. Secondary forms of identification include any of the primary forms of ID, as well as a major bank credit card, retail credit card, car registration, mortgage statement or current bank statement.

Online

• Some banks will allow you to open a student checking account online. For instance, Bank of America requires you to provide your social security number for identity verification, as well as your email address and current residential address. You will also need a Visa or MasterCard debit card number to be able to transfer money for an opening deposit. A driver's license is not necessary. The bank will send you notification and other documents by email when your account is approved, as well as some documents by mail, such as a signature form you will need to mail back to the bank.

By Phone or Mail

• Banks may allow you to apply for free student checking by phone, though you will have to either visit a local branch with your identification or mail the bank copies of your identification. You can also download and print an application for a student checking account. Citibank requires you to mail the application, signed signature card and photocopies of two forms of ID, either driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID or major bank or credit card.

Cautions

• If you don't have a driver's license, take the time to get a state-issued ID card to use in place of it. Though having a driver's license or state ID card is not required to open a student checking account, you will likely have fewer hoops to jump through if you have one or the other.