How to activate a credit card without social security number

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What Else Do You Need To Obtain A Credit Card?
Credit Cards You Can Activate With Alternative IDs
References
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
Did this article help you?
Can I activate my card without SSN?
What info do I need to activate a credit card?
What cards dont require SSN?
Can you activate a credit card without having it?

Can I Activate A Credit Card Without Social Security Number?

An individual’s social security number (SSN) has, in many ways, become the official identity for people looking for financial services across the US. Without it, your application to activate a debit or credit card may not be accepted.

But that is fast changing. You no longer need an SSN to activate a credit card. That is thanks to the number of financial institutions that accept alternative forms of identity including an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or foreign passport.

If you are a U.S. citizen or noncitizen with a work permit, you are eligible for an SSN. Everyone else is free to apply for an ITIN, which has nine digits just like the SSN. When activating a credit card, you can use your ITIN or foreign passport number.

What Else Do You Need To Obtain A Credit Card?

Before you activate a credit card, you must first apply for it and wait for its approval. As a rule, you must have a credit history in the US to be considered for a credit card from some of the financial institutions. You must, therefore, surmount this huddle if you hope to get a credit card, in the first instance.

For foreigners moving into the U.S. transferring credit history from their home countries is not possible. To the card issuers in the US, such individuals do not have a credit history to speak about.

So start accumulating a credit history by acquiring a secured credit card in which you deposit at least $200 to the issuer as security against failure to pay your debts. For most lenders, the credit limit is set at the same level as your deposit.

With a secured credit card, you pay a cash deposit that usually determines your credit limit. These cards are designed to help you build credit with responsible use, so be sure to make payments on time and in full.

If you are a recent immigrant or international student, you can get a credit card to companies which serve individuals like you. Examples include Deserve and CitiBank.

Bear in mind that credit card issuers will need proof of income before issuing you with one. How else would they know you are able to honor your debts? For people who are 21 years and older, listing your income and that of a spouse is accepted. If you are below 21 years old, the only income you can list is yours.

Credit Cards You Can Activate With Alternative IDs

So long as you have a credit history built over a period of 6 months, you can apply for and activate a credit card without social security number (SSN) so long as you have a foreign passport or ITIN. The following are the credit cards you can activate with alternative IDs:

American Express Card which you can activate using a foreign passport or ITIN.
The Bank of America (BoA) Card which can be activated with a foreign passport or ITIN.
The Citibank Card (select cards only) which you can activate using a foreign passport or ITIN.
Capital One Card which you can activate using an ITIN.
U.S. Bank: ITIN (secured cards only)
Wells Fargo: ITIN (secured cards only)

If you have no SSN and need to activate a credit card, make sure you have a good credit history and an ITIN or foreign passport. The rest of the process is a breeze.

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You can activate your new credit card online or over the phone within minutes. Following this step-by-step guide will help save you from identity theft and keep your card secure.

1
Find the phone number. Like the website, the phone number to activate the credit card will likely be on the card. It may also be in the paperwork with the card.
2
Have your information ready. You'll likely need your credit card number, your account number, and the security code on the back of the card. The account number should be with the information that came with the card. You may also need your Social Security number or your date of birth. You may be asked to give your full name.[1]
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3
Call the number. Once you dial the number, you will likely reach a recorded service. Follow the directions given by the system. You may have to input information with the keypad, such as your credit card number or security code.[2]
4
Complete the process. Finish giving the system your information. Once you've given all the information, your card will be activated.
5
Take off the sticker, and sign the card. Peel the sticker back from the card with the activation information on it. Add your signature to the back of the card.

1
Find the activation information on your card. Your card should have a website where you can activate your card. Often, it is on a sticker on the card, but it may also be in the packet of information that came with the card.[3]
2
Enter the information on the bank or credit company's website to activate your card. You'll need information such as your credit card number, your name, and the security code, which you can find on the back of the card. You also may need your Social Security number and your date of birth.[4]
3

Submit the information. Once you've entered the information, review it to make sure it is correct. Hit the submit or the activate button, and your card will be activated.[5]
- After you've activated the card online, browse the website a bit to find out if there are any special offers available for new activations. Many companies provide benefits to new cardholders.[6]
4
Confirm that you have activated your credit card online. Financial institutions will call you or send you an email to verify the activation. If you don't receive an email, you can contact the company to verify that your card was activated.
5
Remove the sticker, and sign the card. Take the sticker off the card that had the activation information on it. Sign the back of the card with your name.
6
If needed, set up or log into an online account with your bank. You will likely need an online account with the company after activating your card.[7] To set up an account, you'll need information like your date of birth, your Social Security number, an email address, a password, and an account number. You may also need to set up a username that is separate from your email.[8] Some websites do not require you to have an online an account to activate your card. Check to see if yours does by visiting the activation website listed on the card.[9]
- If you already have an account, enter your new username and password to access your account.[10]

Add New Question

Question
How soon should I activate my card after receiving it?

Whenever you want to. Most people do it right away.
Question
What's the phone number used to activate credit cards?

It is completely different for every credit card. Contact the provider of the credit card or the bank that it is run through. They should allow you to activate the card in a timely manner.
Question
What should I do if the info sticker on the card was taken off and there is no other information?

If the sticker on the card was taken off then you should contact the bank or go online to the bank's website. The credit card activation paper should have all the information you need including the bank's contact information.

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If you have trouble, call customer service, and click through until you get a live person. That person can talk you through the process or activate your card for you.
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Activate your credit card on your own computer with your internet connection, as it is more secure than public WiFi connections.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!

References

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To activate a credit card, start by finding the card's activation information, which can usually be found on a sticker or in a packet that came with the card. Then, visit the provided website and set up an account with your credit card company. Once you have an account, log in and enter all of your card information to activate it. If your credit card activation information came with a phone number, you may be able to call it and activate your card over the phone. To learn how to confirm that your card has been activated, keep reading!

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Reader Success Stories

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Aug 18, 2019
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Can I activate my card without SSN?

Most prepaid card issuers will activate your account using an alternate form of identification. If you check with the card's issuing bank to see which types of identification it accepts, you can still access a prepaid account without having to provide a SSN.

What info do I need to activate a credit card?

Information to Have When Activating a Credit Card Your credit card number. The security code on the front or back of your card (often called the card identification number (CID) or card verification value (CVV)) Full name, Social Security number, zip code, and/or date of birth.

What cards dont require SSN?

Best Credit Cards Without A Social Security Number.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card. [ jump to details ] ... .

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students. [ jump to details ] ... .

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. [ jump to details ] ... .

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card. [ jump to details ].

Can you activate a credit card without having it?

Ways to Activate Your Credit Card Without Calling Activate through your online account on the issuer's website. Most issuers have a specific activation page, and they'll give you a link to it when they mail your card. Use the issuer's mobile app.