Do I have to give my SSN to send a money transfer?

Each company can set their own requirements for what information and proof of ID you need to send or receive a transfer. Being ready can make sending a transfer easier — and picking one up possible.

What information do I need to send a money transfer?

The information required to send a money transfer will differ slightly by bank or provider, your recipient’s location and your method of delivery.

Sending an international money transfer online

Regardless of whether you choose to send a transfer through your Internet banking account or use a specialist online transfer company such as TransferWise, the details you need to provide remain the same.

You must supply:

The recipient’s name
The account name
The recipient’s home address (supplying this information is optional with some providers)
The recipient’s account number

Based on the country you are transferring funds to, you will also need to supply one of the following:

IBAN (International bank account number)
ABA (American Bankers Association) routing number
Bank and branch
IFSC (Indian Financial System Code)
SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) or BIC (Bank Identifier Code)

For example, the ABA routing number is used to identify banks in the United States and you will need to provide it or a SWIFT for transfers to that country, while if you’re sending a transfer to Europe you will need the IBAN and the SWIFT of the recipient’s bank. Your bank or money transfer provider will be able to provide specific information about the bank details you need to supply during the transfer process.

Apart from your recipient’s bank account details, you will also need to provide some specific details about the transfer, including:

The currency you wish to send
The amount you are sending
The purpose of the transfer

Sending an international cash transfer in person

If you don’t have a bank account or merely prefer cold, hard cash, you’ll find providers that accept cash payments for international money transfers. The best-known services for cash transfers are Western Union and MoneyGram.

Western Union allows you to send in person at more than 500,000 locations in over 200 countries. MoneyGram also offers online and in-person transfers to more than 200 countries, with some 350,000 agent locations around the globe.

For domestic transfers, look no further than your local Walmart store. Through a partnership with MoneyGram, you can send cash from your nearest store to any Walmart in the US or Puerto Rico or to any of MoneyGram’s agents worldwide.

The details you need to provide when sending a cash transfer are a little different, as you will typically need to supply:

Photo identification for yourself (a passport or driver’s license will do)
Your recipient’s full name (this must match the recipient’s name as it appears on their ID)
Your recipient’s address
Money to complete the transaction

It’s also worth remembering that you will need to be at least 18 years of age to send a transfer overseas.

What information do I need to receive a money transfer?

Depending on whether you’re receiving the money from an overseas bank account or you’re collecting a cash transfer, you’ll need different information.

Receiving an online international money transfer

If someone wants to transfer money to you from an overseas bank account, you’ll need to make sure they have all the relevant details needed to complete the transaction. These include:

Your name
The name of your bank
Your bank’s BIC/SWIFT code
Your bank’s BSB (Bank State Branch) number
Your account number
Your address

IBANs are not used in the United States, but banks and transfer providers in some countries will require an IBAN to be provided before the transfer can be processed. If this is the case, you can combine your BSB and account number.

It’s also worth pointing out that you may be charged a fee by your bank for receiving an international transfer.

Receiving an international cash transfer

If you’re visiting a transfer provider’s branch to collect a cash transfer, you will need to provide:

Photo ID, for example your driver’s license or passport
The reference number quoted to you by the person who sent the transfer

Depending on the size of the transfer, you may need to phone ahead to confirm that the agent has sufficient cash to complete the transaction. This is also useful if you need to check a branch’s location or opening hours.

Money transfer providers and required documentation

	Approval waiting period	Social Security number required?	Required documents
TransferWise	No waiting period for approval.	Yes	None
Xoom	No waiting period beyond email confirmation. But you’ll need to speak to a Xoom representative to verify your first transfer.	No	Government-issued ID Recent bank statement
Sharemoney	No waiting period beyond email verification.	No	Driver’s license Government-issued ID
Western Union	No waiting period beyond email verification.	No	None
RIA	No waiting period for approval.	No	None
MoneyGram	No waiting period for approval.	Yes	Country of birth Driver’s license number
PayPal	Confirm your email and wait for bank account approval.	No	None
Pangea	No waiting period for approval.	No	None
Small World Money Transfer	Receive a confirmation email shortly after registration, with ID required to send your first transfer.	No	Photo ID Proof of residency
Circle	Upload your ID for verification.	No	Passport, driver’s license or other ID Photo of self
Transfast	No waiting period for approval.	No	None
Wikipay	No waiting period for approval.	No	Passport Social Security number
Currencies Direct International	Submit identifying documents and speak to a representative.	Yes	Proof of address Passport
TorFX	Confirm your account by email and speak to a TorFX representative. After, you may be required to email further documentation.	No	Proof of address dated within past 3 months Passport
Remitly	No waiting period for approval.	Yes	None
MoneyCorp	Submit identifying information online after applying. You may also need to speak with a representative for approval.	No	Utility bill Driver’s license Bank statement Current lease Letter from bank
OFX	Speak with an OFX representative to complete approval.	Yes	Proof of driver’s license or passport Proof of address
XE	Upload documentation and wait for approval.	No	Government-issued ID
Wyre	Because accounts are approved manually, you’ll need to wait for approval.

Am I required to share my Social Security number?

With most money transfer providers, you’ll need to provide specific personal information to establish your identity. This is because most companies that sell money transfers are subject to anti–money laundering laws and counter-terrorist financing standards, which require providers to exercise their due diligence to confirm that you’re not using their services for terrorist or otherwise nefarious activities.

“Identifying information” doesn’t always mean your Social Security number, however. But you’ll nearly always need to submit at least your government-issued ID, like your driver’s license or passport, to continue through the transfer process. MoneyGram is one provider that needs to see your official photo ID but not necessarily your SSN.

Note that Remitly and a few other providers may require your Social Security number to upgrade your account to unlimited or high-limit maximums.

What if I don’t have the required documentation?

Whether you can continue with your transfer without the required documentation will depend on your provider. A few may simply limit how much you can send your first transfer, while others may not allow you to send anything at all.

You may be able to get around documentation with a peer-to-peer app like Venmo or Circle. If you have a valid account with any of the banks that use Zelle — like Bank of America, Chase, Capital One or USAA — you’re already set up for domestic transfers of up to $2,500. Simply visit your bank’s website or download its app to begin sending money.

ID and other documentation is necessary for providers to satisfy federal laws in place to prevent money laundering and other potentially illicit activities.

Top tips for sending or receiving an international money transfer

Check details carefully

It’s your responsibility to ensure that the bank account details you provide for your recipient are correct. If you make a mistake and the funds are sent to the wrong account, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to recover those funds.

Check the exchange rate

Exchange rates vary from one transfer provider to the next, and even a minor variation in rates can make a big difference to the affordability of a transfer. Search for a provider that consistently offers competitive exchange rates.

Be aware of transfer fees

Make sure you’re aware of the fee the bank or money transfer provider charges for handling the transfer, and check whether the receiving bank will take a cut by imposing its own fees.

Use a reputable transfer provider

Make sure that any transfer provider you choose is reputable and trustworthy before handing over any bank details or money. The last thing you want to do is disclose your own or your recipient’s account information to a dodgy company.

Compare online money transfers

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
$1,000	1 day	USD 0.00	0.814	EUR 4,072	OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, AZN, BGN, BHD, BND, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KRW, KWD, LKR, MAD, MGA, MXN, MYR, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, RUB, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, THB, TOP, TRY, TWD, TZS, USD, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
GBP 1,000	1 - 2 days	USD 0.00	0.814	EUR 4,072	Exclusive: Minimum transfer of $1,000 for Finder readers (normally $5,000). CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount GBP 1,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MXN, NOK, NZD, PLN, RON, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
$1	Same day	USD 0.00	0.819	EUR 4,094	XE has fast transfers with no fees and a range of foreign currency tools.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUC, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, FKP, GBP, GEL, GGP, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, IMP, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JEP, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KPW, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SPL, SRD, SVC, SYP, SZL, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TVD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XDR, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, ZWD, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$10	Within an hour	USD 1.99	0.806	EUR 4,029	Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers. Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 10.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ALL, AMD, ARS, AZN, BAM, BDT, BGN, BIF, BOB, BRL, BSD, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KZT, LKR, LRD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MWK, MXN, MYR, NIO, NPR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SLL, SRD, SVC, THB, TJS, TND, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$1	1 - 2 days	USD 40.00	0.823	EUR 4,080	TransferWise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, GBP, GEL, GHS, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NGN, NOK, NPR, NZD, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, RON, RUB, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XOF, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review
$1	Within an hour	USD 3.99	0.819	EUR 4,092	WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SOS, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
USD 10,000	1 - 2 days	N/A	N/A	N/A	Dunbridge Financial offers diverse transfer options to more than 120 countries. Powered by Currencycloud.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount USD 10,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ARS, AUD, AZN, BAM, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BOB, BRL, BWP, BYR, CAD, CHF, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, IQD, ISK, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MUR, MVR, MXN, MYR, MZN, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, THB, TJS, TND, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

Bottom line

You have many options when it comes to a money transfer, but nearly all will require at least some documentation to establish your identity — and keep the provider out of hot water with the government. Weigh the requirements when considering a money transfer specialist that’s right for your needs.

Common questions about money transfer requirements

Yes, if you’re receiving a large sum of money, you’ll typically need to report it to satisfy tax requirements. By law, banks report all cash transactions that exceed $10,000 — and any transaction of any amount that alerts their suspicions. Money transfer businesses, which often solely send money between countries, sometimes have reporting thresholds as low as $1,000. Learn more about the laws and legal documents required when transferring large sums of money.
It depends on the money transfer specialist you’re using to transfer your money. Many require a verified physical address for your transfer to be approved. Ask the provider you’re interested in for its requirements for approval.
When sending money via PayPal, you’ll need to provide the email address or mobile phone number of your recipient, as well as the details of the bank account or credit card used to fund the transaction. As for receiving payments, you will need to provide your name, address, phone number and email address to open a free PayPal account.

Thank you for your feedback!

Kelly Waggoner

Kelly Waggoner is the US editor-in-chief at Finder. She's worked with publishers, magazines and nonprofits throughout New York City, including ghostwriting a how-to on copyediting for the Dummies series. Between projects, she toys with words, flips through style guides and fantasizes about the serial comma's world domination.

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2 Responses

AnonymousNovember 14, 2018

Transfer money from the USA to Malaysia, does the receiver need to pay a fee for SSN?

finder Customer Care

JhezNovember 14, 2018Staff

Hello,

Thank you for your comment.

Please note that it’s not necessary to provide an SSN to receive money in Malaysia. You may be charged a fee by your bank for receiving an international transfer, which you need to verify with the bank.

When receiving money, “Identifying information” doesn’t always mean your Social Security number. You need to submit at least your government-issued ID, like your driver’s license or passport to pick up the money sent.

Please refer to the guide about the money transfer requirements.

Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.

Regards,
Jhezelyn

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