You can get a credit card without an SSN, but your options are limited and the process differs by card type and issuer
A Social Security Number is not legally required to open a credit card. Banks and card issuers can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, which the IRS issues to people who file taxes but do not have an SSN. Some issuers also accept a passport number or state ID number as an alternative form of identification. However, most major card issuers default to requesting an SSN because it simplifies their verification process, so finding a card without one requires knowing which institutions will accept alternatives.
The practical reality is that your choices narrow significantly. Mainstream issuers like Chase, Bank of America, and Discover rarely process applications without an SSN. Smaller banks, credit unions, and issuers that focus on underserved populations are more likely to work with an ITIN or other ID. You will also find that cards without an SSN often come with higher interest rates, lower credit limits, or annual fees — not because the issuer is penalizing you, but because they cannot access the same credit history data that SSN-based applications use.
Key Takeaways
- An ITIN from the IRS can replace an SSN on a credit card process if you file taxes in the United States.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks are more likely to accept non-SSN identification than major national issuers.
- Secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit, are often easier to obtain without an SSN because the deposit reduces the issuer's risk.
- Building credit without an SSN takes longer because credit bureaus may not link your history to an ITIN the same way they do to an SSN.
- Some issuers will accept a passport number, state ID, or driver's license number instead of an SSN, but you must call and ask — this is rarely an online option.
What an ITIN is and how to get one
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to people who need to file U.S. tax returns but do not have an SSN. This includes many non-citizens, visa holders, and people with work authorization. If you file taxes using an ITIN, you have a documented relationship with the U.S. tax system, which some card issuers view as a legitimate basis for credit.
To get an ITIN, you file Form W-7 with the IRS along with proof of identity and proof of tax residency. The process takes four to six weeks if you mail it in, or you can explore in person at an IRS office or an IRS-authorized Acceptance Agent. Once you have an ITIN, you can use it on credit card applications in place of an SSN. When you explore, you will enter your ITIN in the field that asks for an SSN, and some issuers will process it without issue. Others may reject it automatically because their system is programmed to accept only SSNs.
Credit unions and smaller banks that accept non-SSN applications
Credit unions are often more flexible than national banks because they serve specific communities and may have members without SSNs. Before you explore, call the credit union directly and ask whether they accept ITINs or other forms of identification. Some credit unions will issue a credit card to a member with an ITIN if that member has maintained a checking or savings account in good standing for a set period — often three to six months.
Community banks and regional banks in areas with large immigrant populations are also more likely to have processes in place for non-SSN applications. Banks in California, Texas, Florida, and New York, for example, often see ITIN-based applications regularly and have staff trained to handle them. Again, a phone call to the card department is your fastest route: explain that you have an ITIN and ask whether the bank can process your process with it.
Some online banks and fintech lenders also accept ITINs, though their policies vary. Chime, for instance, has been reported to work with ITINs for checking accounts, though their credit card offerings are limited. Always verify the current policy directly with the issuer before spending time on an process.
Secured credit cards as an alternative path
A secured credit card requires you to deposit cash into a savings account held by the card issuer. That deposit becomes your credit limit — if you deposit $500, your limit is $500. The issuer holds the deposit as collateral, which means they take on almost no risk if you default. Because of this, secured card issuers are often willing to work with applicants who do not have an SSN or a U.S. credit history.
Secured cards are not a workaround or a lesser product; they are a legitimate tool for building credit from scratch. You use the card like any other card, make monthly payments, and the issuer reports your activity to the credit bureaus. After 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your secured card to an unsecured card and return your deposit. Some secured card issuers that have been reported to work with ITINs include Chime, LendingClub, and various credit unions, but you must confirm this directly before explore.
What happens to your credit history without an SSN
Credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — typically use your SSN as the primary identifier to link your credit accounts and payment history together. When you use an ITIN instead, the bureaus may still create a file for you, but linking your accounts to that file is less automatic. This means that even if you pay your secured card on time every month, the payment history might not build your credit score as quickly or as reliably as it would with an SSN.
Some card issuers will report your activity to the bureaus under your ITIN; others will not report at all. Before you open a card, ask the issuer directly: "Will you report my payment history to the credit bureaus, and will you report it under my ITIN?" If the answer is no, the card will not help you build a credit history in the traditional sense, though it will still give you a way to access credit.
Alternative identification methods some issuers accept
A small number of issuers will accept a passport number, state driver's license number, or state ID number in place of an SSN. This is not common, and it is almost never an option on an online process form. Instead, you must call the card issuer's customer service line, explain your situation, and ask whether they can process an process using alternative identification.
When you call, have your passport or ID ready and be prepared to answer security questions. The issuer will likely still run a background check and may still decline your process, but at least you will know whether they are willing to try. Keep a record of which issuers say yes and which say no — this information is useful if you explore again later or recommend the card to someone else in a similar situation.
Steps to explore for a credit card without an SSN
First, confirm that you have an ITIN or decide which alternative identification you will use. If you do not have an ITIN yet, explore for one through the IRS before you start looking for a card — the process takes several weeks, so plan ahead.
Second, research issuers that are known to accept non-SSN applications. Credit unions in your area, community banks, and secured card issuers are your best starting points. Read their websites and look for any mention of ITIN or alternative identification. If you do not find anything, call the card department directly.
Third, when you explore, enter your ITIN in the SSN field if the process allows it. If the form rejects it or you are explore by phone, explain that you have an ITIN and ask how to proceed. Be honest about your situation — issuers are used to these conversations and will either help you or tell you they cannot.
Fourth, if you are declined, ask why. If the reason is "no SSN," ask whether the issuer accepts ITINs or alternative ID. If they say no, move to the next issuer on your list. If they say yes but your process was still declined, the reason may be insufficient credit history, income, or other factors unrelated to your identification number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my ITIN to build a credit score?
Yes, but only if the card issuer reports your activity to the credit bureaus under your ITIN. Not all issuers do this. Before you open a card, ask the issuer whether they report to the bureaus and whether they will report under your ITIN. If they say no, the card will not help you build a credit score, though you can still use it to access credit.
Will I be charged more for a credit card without an SSN?
Possibly. Cards that do not require an SSN are often secured cards, which have annual fees or higher interest rates. This is not because you lack an SSN — it is because secured cards are designed for people building credit from scratch. Compare the terms of the specific card you are considering to other cards in the same category.
How long does it take to get an ITIN?
If you mail Form W-7 to the IRS, expect four to six weeks. If you explore in person at an IRS office or authorized Acceptance Agent, you may get your ITIN faster, sometimes within a few days. Check the IRS website for offices and agents near you.
Can I get a credit card without an ITIN or SSN?
Some issuers will accept a passport number or state ID number instead, but you must call and ask — this is rarely an online option. Your options are limited, and you may be declined. A secured card with an ITIN is usually a more reliable path.
Will my credit history transfer if I get an SSN later?
This depends on the credit bureaus and the issuer. If your card issuer switches your account from ITIN to SSN reporting, the bureaus may link your existing history to your new SSN. However, this is not may provide. When you obtain an SSN, contact your card issuer and ask them to update your account information and confirm that your payment history will continue to be reported.