This blog is for informational purposes only and not an offer of any specific account or service. For current details on our checking accounts, including terms and fees, please visit midflorida.com or speak with a representative. Account features and conditions may change. Membership eligibility required.
So you’ve researched and decided to open a checking account at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. Congratulations! Only one question remains—how do you open a checking account?
Fortunately, the steps to open a checking account are similar for most credit unions and banks, but today, we’ll explore how to open a MIDFLORIDA Free Checking account.
Start your account application with MIDFLORIDA
Personal information to open a checking account at MIDFLORIDA
To open up any checking account at MIDFLORIDA, you’ll need to provide some personal information that proves who you are. More importantly, the information you provide will need to be verified.
Government-issued photo identification
The primary way you’ll prove you are who you say you are is with a valid government-issued ID containing your photograph. Most of the time, this will be your driver’s license, but other forms of government-issued IDs will also suffice, such as:
- Passports
- Military IDs
- State ID card
If you’re part of a Native American tribe, you should also know that your tribal ID card is a valid government-issued ID. However, not all financial institutions will accept this, so check with the credit union or bank you’re applying to beforehand.
Valid physical address
In addition to your government ID, you’ll also need to provide a valid physical address. You’ll also have to verify your address, which you can do by providing one of the following documents:
- Bank statements
- Utility bills
- Credit card statements
- Lease agreements
- Mortgage agreements
Other identifying information
Finally, you’ll also need to provide some other bits of identifying information, including your:
- Birthdate
- Social security number
- Phone number
An initial deposit for the new checking account
Once MIDFLORIDA confirms your identity, you can open your checking account. All you’ll need to do now is give them your initial deposit.
Here are the minimum initial deposit amounts for all of MIDFLORIDA’s checking accounts:
| 1. MIDFLORIDA Debit Card Banking | $50 |
| 2. MIDFLORIDA Free Checking | $50 |
| 3. MIDFLORIDA Freedom Banking | $25 |
| 4. MIDFLORIDA Investor Checking | $1,000 |
| 5. MIDFLORIDA Relationship Checking | $500 |
| 6. MIDFLORIDA Absolutely Free Student Checking | $25 |
| 7. MIDFLORIDA High Yield Checking | $1,500 |
While your best bet is to bring cash or a personal check, you can transfer money to your new checking account from another bank.
Special situations when opening a MIDFLORIDA checking account
The above information should be all you need to open a checking account. However, you’ll need to provide some more information for some checking accounts.
Minor checking accounts
If you’re under 15, you’ll need a parent or legal guardian to agree to be co-owner of your checking account. Your identity will also need to be verified with the financial institution.
Student checking accounts
Some credit unions and banks, including MIDFLORIDA, offer special student checking accounts. To open one, you may need to bring proof of student status, usually a student ID.
Joint checking accounts
When opening a joint account, all account holders must provide documentation. You can use the same document to verify the address, as long as it is accessible to all parties involved.
Opening a checking account as a non-citizen
While opening a checking account can be more complex if you’re not a United States citizen, it’s still possible if your credit union or bank allows it.
Here’s the documentation you’ll need to provide:
- A government visa or immigration documentation
- One or two forms of photo identification, such as:
- An unexpired passport
- Government-issued driver’s license
- Consular ID
- Citizenship card
- Student ID
- Work ID
- Proof of residency, like the type you would have to show if you were a U.S. citizen
Open a Checking Account at MIDFLORIDA
To open a checking account at MIDFLORIDA, you just need a few key pieces of information. You’ll need to provide a valid government-issued photo ID, a valid home address with proper verification, and other personal information. Of course, you’ll also need to make an initial deposit, preferably in cash or a personal check.
If you’d like to experience the advantages of a MIDFLORIDA checking account, open an account online or visit the nearest branch. As an added incentive, you can even get a $200 bonus when you sign up for a MIDFLORIDA Free Checking account.1 Talk to a teller and see if you meet the conditions!
Regardless of your account, you’ll get the kind of service that big banks offer, complete with the personal service only available at your local credit union.
