My dad and I want open a checking bank account for me since I plan to start working and my school recommends direct deposit for my aid. We went into a Chase bank location with my SSN and my passport but they said they needed more. Over the phone they said a proof of residency like a sort of bill. I searched online and the top proof a residency is utility bills, bank statements, mortgage or lease documents, and paystubs. The thing is I don’t pay any types of bills not even a phone bill, I’ve never opened with a bank before, and I’ve never worked a job before. I also don’t have a drivers license or state/ID. What would you recommend I do to get proof like should I ask my dad to put me down on the phone bill or just wait until I get a job and use that.
Edit: Thank you for everyone’s help and suggestion. This has been figured out. YES I’ve received spam mail and mail from colleges. YES I’ve left my house before. YES I am planning to get my drivers license and State ID. NO those can’t be used alone. NO they won’t take anything from my school unless I was misunderstanding what they were saying. I was finally able to reach someone and they told me to have my dad add my name to a utility or phone bill and to bring in my passport. In hindsight I should’ve just wait to get into contact with someone but thank you for all who tried to help. I might delete this or keep it up idk.
How does a fresh 18 year old who doesn’t pay any bills show proof of residency
byu/namelesskouhai inpersonalfinance
Posted by namelesskouhai
31 Comments
Bring the bank employee to your house and say “see? I live here”
Seriously though, just get a state ID
You need a state id for a lot more than just this, like the other commenter just said go get one.
You’re now an adult, I recommend you get a license or state ID. You’ll probably need it for your plan to start working.
The fact you don’t even have a state ID/driver’s license at 18 is probably the most concerning, but if you need proof of residency, it’s probably best to just get a job first and have it direct deposited in your parents account until you can open one yourself.
The phone bill isn’t going to work because they use the address and I’d imagine it’ll still be sent to your dad’s place.
Basically, you need a Drivers License/ID. Maybe ask the bank if proof of enrollment in your school might be enough?
Get a license or a state ID to avoid issue like this. Could also see if proof of residency is needed from both parties to open a joint account with your dad (assuming he has some sort of proof).
Most places will accept an envelope addressed to you with a cancelled stamp proving it was mailed to you at your address for proof of address. Will Chase? Ask them.
Also, get a state ID. They’re not expensive, it takes a few minutes. DMVs definitely take mail as proof of address.
You need to get a state ID, and a passport or passport card asap. Identity is the baseline for pretty much everything in adulthood.
Your school transcript will suffice. It’s what the Dmv used for my daughter.
You’re 18. Do you have a voter card?
Tuition bill with your name on it probably works. Even if your family pays, you can probably print out a copy with your name on it.
Getting a state ID if possible is probably useful as well if only because losing your passport is a bigger deal than a license or ID card.
Honest question – how have you managed to be 18 and not gotten spam mail??
I got everything from high interest CC offers to invitations for AAA to college open house info to local car dealership fliers and more the second I turned 18.
I know more things come as email now but I’m astonished you haven’t gotten any mail with your name specifically on it from anywhere trying to get you to buy something???
How do you not have any of these at 18?
You need to start by getting a stats ID
Co-open a savings account at that bank with your dad, put the minimum amount of money in there, get a mailed statement and then bring that mailed statement in once you get it for you to open your own checking account. First check their list to see if this counts, but it might be one option.
A passport you can use for identification and if you for instance wanted to give plasma( I work at a plasma facility)- they need that or driver’s license or state ID and a utility bill, you can use your school records someone else already said that, or you can get a cheap phone, like a flip phone, they are actually trendy again, btw, and get it with your name on the monthly bill, or you can get your father to put your name in his bill, as you mentioned.
Once you turn 18, you should be getting either a license, or an id, depending on whether or not you drive.
School documentation like report cards?
Letters from the college that accepte you to your house, original copies of social security card, birth certificate, passport a student id card from the college would help, ten set up appointment to get your driver’s license. I went through something similar with my godson.
get a state id, drivers license, library card, pay drivers insurance
Official letters from your school would be fine
Try opening an account at a Credit Union they have fewer rules. Since you don’t drive You also need a non-drivers Id or a learners permit.
High school transcript. That’s what my 16 year old used to get his Real ID.
Register to vote, voter registration can be used often as well. Also, get an ID
Have your dad send you $1 via bank bill pay. They will mail you a check for $1 and you then have your name and address document for proof of residency.
You need some of that stuff to GET a state ID too. I recommend you go to your states DMV website and it will have a list of required documents to obtain the ID.
I wonder if your parent’s tax return would suffice – if they claim you as a dependent I’d suspect it would.
If you go to school, get a letter from the school confirming your attendance. It should have your address on it. A report card or transcript should also work.
To all those advising OP to just get a state ID, proof of residency would be required to obtain that, too.
For Real ID, my state required TWO proofs of residency per person, which based on what they would accept, meant two utility bills per person. That was impossible for us to achieve without making a lot of stupid changes. I had to put utilities in new names, which was a huge ordeal, and shift car insurance bills around. Oh, and lease agreements. We did get lucky in one respect: one of my sons is named after his father. 😀
If you’re truly a fresh 18 year old you should just be able to go into a bank wearing new sneakers, a garish, baggy outfit, and a ball cap worn at a rakish angle.
Approach the accounts manager of the bank and explain the story- all about how your life got flipped and turned upside down when a misunderstanding on the local basketball courts turned into a fight with a couple of guys who were making trouble in your neighborhood.
Once he realizes that you are now living in a new locale with an established family of means, there should be no problem setting up a new account.
Make sure to say “yo Holmes, smell you later!” when you leave the bank as this is the customary greeting for new account holders.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Your name on any mailing to that address.
Register to vote. Voter registration card will be sent to your address. (Also, get informed and vote)