November 17, 2023

Discover Checking Account Requirements

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Discover® checking account offers no monthly fees and a rewarding cashback program. Here's what you need to open an account today.

The Discover® Cashback Debit boasts $0 monthly fees and no minimum balance. You can also earn a 1% cashback on up to $3,000 in purchases each month. See website for details.

With all these attractive features, it is no surprise that many are curious about it. Luckily, it doesn't take much to get your own Discover® Checking account.

Read on to know all the requirements to open one and other essential details.

What Do You Need to Open a Discover® Checking Account?

Once you've established that you're eligible to open a Discover checking account, you can start preparing the information and documents you may need to show.

They typically ask for the following:

  • Personal Information (e.g., name, date of birth)
  • Contact Information (e.g., email, phone number, residential address)
  • Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Government ID (e.g., driver's license or state ID card)

You can prepare your preferred funding method and chosen deposit amount beforehand as well.

Discover® Bank may impose additional eligibility requirements. Unfortunately, they have the discretion to decline to open an account for any lawful reason.

Who is Eligible to Open an Account?

In order to open a Discover® Checking account, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, or other U.S. person
  2. Be at least 18 years old (21 years old if you live in Delaware[1])
  3. Have a valid SSN or EIN and a valid residential U.S. address
  4. Must not have foreign tax status (e.g. W-8 filing status[2])

If you meet all the requirements above, you're one step closer to opening your own free checking account.

Are There Limitations to Opening an Account?

Yes, there is. You cannot own more than one Discover® Cashback Debit account. That's either as an individual or as a joint owner.

If you already have an account or two prior to March 20, 2022, and want to open a new one today, unfortunately, that is no longer allowed.[3]

Discover® Checking Account Fees

On top of having no minimum balance requirement, the Discover Checking account has no monthly fees as well. Here's the full list of fees and charges you get to avoid:

  • $0 monthly fees
  • $0 charges for insufficient funds
  • $0 for official bank checks
  • $0 for debit card replacements
  • $0 for check reorders

Is it Hard to Open a Discover® Checking Account?

Opening a Discover® checking account is simple and easy. Since Discover® Bank is an online bank, most people can apply through their website, making it quite accessible.

As long as you meet the eligibility criteria and have all the required information, opening a Discover checking account should be a painless process.

However, it would be good to note that Discover reportedly uses the ChexSystems. This could affect the approval or denial of your account application because they'll see records of your banking history.

The best number to call to ask about your Discover Cashback Debit account application is 1-800-347-7000.

How to Open a Discover® Checking Account?

You can easily open an account from the comfort of your own home. Here's how to do it through their website:

  1. Go to the Discover Cashback Debit page and select Open a Checking Account.
  2. Fill out the application form with the necessary information.
  3. Fund your account.

If your new Discover Cashback Debit account does not receive a deposit within 45 days of opening, the account will close, and you need to complete a new application.[4]

Should You Get a Discover® Checking Account?

If you're a frequent debit card user, then Discover® Cashback Debit account might be a good fit for you. Specifically, if you use your checking account or debit card for most of your spending.

You can take advantage of the 1% cashback on up to $3,000 of your purchases monthly ($360 per year). You can also avoid all those pesky fees and charges–except for a $30 service charge for outgoing wire transfers.[5]

If these sound good to you, and you happen to be eligible to open an account, you can consider getting a Discover Cashback Debit account.

Bottom Line

Opening a Discover checking account is easy enough for most people. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements and have all the necessary documents, you shouldn't encounter any problems.

If you're not sure about a requirement or criteria, try to read through the fine print or call Discover's customer service for help.

References

  1. ^ The Delaware Code Online. Fiduciary Relations, Retrieved 08/30/2023
  2. ^ IRS. Instructions for Form W-8BEN (10/2021), Retrieved 08/30/2023
  3. ^ Discover Bank. Opening an Account: How many Cashback Debit accounts can I have?, Retrieved 11/02/2023
  4. ^ Discover Bank. About Your Account: How long do I have to fund my Cashback Debit Account?, Retrieved 11/02/2023
  5. ^ Discover Bank. The Basics: Is there a service charge for sending a wire transfer?, Retrieved 11/02/2023

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