how long does it take to make a bank account

Opening a bank account usually takes only minutes for the application itself, but up to a few days before everything feels “fully ready” (card, first deposit, etc.).

How Long Does It Take To Make a Bank Account? (Quick Scoop)

The super short version

• Online application: about 5–15 minutes if you have your info ready.

• In‑person at a branch: usually 30–60 minutes , sometimes a bit more if there’s a queue.

• Account use: often immediately or within 1–2 business days once approved.

• Debit card in the mail: around 7–10 days with many banks.

So “making” the account is fast; waiting for cards and deposits is what stretches into days.

Typical timelines (by situation)

1. Opening online

Most big banks and online banks let you open checking or savings accounts fully online.

• Fill out form: 10–15 minutes.

• Approval: instant up to about 1–3 business days.

• First deposit available: usually 1–3 business days depending on how you fund (card, transfer, etc.).

If everything checks out, you can often access your new account the same day or within a couple of days, even before the physical card arrives.

2. Opening in person at a branch

Going to a physical branch takes a bit longer because of waiting and paperwork, but the account is typically active the same day.

• Time at the branch: 30–60 minutes is common; sometimes up to about an hour or more if you don’t have an appointment.

• Activation: once the banker finishes, your account is usually usable within minutes.

• Card: either printed instantly at some banks or mailed within about a week to 10 days.

This is often preferred if you want to deposit cash right away.

3. How account type changes the time

Here’s a compact look at typical times.

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Account Type	Online application time	In‑person time	Why it might take longer
Personal checking	5–15 minutes	30–60 minutes	Missing ID, verification issues
Savings	5–15 minutes	30–60 minutes	Funding or transfer delays
Joint account	15–20 minutes	45–90 minutes	Both people must provide ID and sign
Business account	15–30+ minutes	1–2 hours	Extra documents (business registration, tax IDs)

Business and joint accounts tend to be slower because banks must verify more information.

What actually eats up time?

Even though forms are fast, a few things can stretch the total process:

• Identity checks : If the system can’t instantly verify your ID/address, manual review can add 1–2 business days.

• Missing documents : No ID, no proof of address, or incomplete forms can stall things until you fix them.

• Mailing physical card/checkbook : Shipping alone often takes 7–10 days even when the account itself is already open.

• Non‑standard cases : Non‑residents, students, or people opening accounts from abroad may have extra checks.

Think of it like this: the signup is quick, but the verification + mail part is where the clock really runs.

Mini “story” example

Imagine you decide today to open a basic checking account:

1. You apply online at lunch, spending about 10 minutes filling your details and uploading ID.

2. You’re approved instantly; you can see your new account in online banking the same day and schedule deposits.

3. Your first transfer arrives in 1–3 business days, so you can start using the balance soon.

4. About a week later, your physical debit card arrives in the mail, and you’re fully set.

Total: minutes to “make” the account, days for everything around it to line up.

Latest angles and forum-style chatter

Recent guides and banking explainers (updated into 2025–2026) all echo the same pattern: fast digital applications, with most delay tied to verification and postal delivery.

On forums and Q&A sites, people often say things like:

“The website said 10 minutes, but my debit card took about a week to show up.”

That’s consistent with banks like Bank of America, where verification can take 1–2 business days and cards typically arrive in 7–10 days.

So if your question is “how long does it take to make a bank account?” the realistic expectation is:

• Count minutes for the actual setup.
• Plan for up to a couple of days before it’s fully usable in every way.
• Expect about a week or so before you’re holding the plastic card in your hand.

TL;DR: The bank account itself is created almost immediately; the “waiting” part is mostly for approval checks, first deposits, and the card in the mail.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.