Can Venmo be used without SSN

Yes, Venmo can be used without giving a Social Security Number, but only for very limited use. To fully use Venmo — sending larger amounts, transferring money to your bank, or verifying your identity — Venmo will eventually require an SSN or ITIN.

What you can do without SSN

• You can create an account with only a phone number, email, and a U.S. phone-based verification.
• You can make very small payments and receive small amounts. Venmo does not publish an official limit here, but in practice unverified accounts quickly hit low transaction caps.
• You can link a U.S. bank account, but transfers may be blocked later if you do not verify when asked.

Important: Venmo will eventually ask for identification if you try to send or receive more than these small amounts. The request cannot be postponed forever.

If you already meet all requirements (you have SSN or ITIN, U.S. phone, U.S. bank)

• You can complete Venmo’s identity verification by submitting SSN/ITIN details, legal name, and date of birth.
• After verification, you get full limits: higher weekly send/receive limits and the ability to transfer money to your bank freely.
• Verification also prevents account freezes that often happen when Venmo detects large transfers on unverified accounts.

Why Venmo asks for SSN

Venmo is a U.S. financial service. When your activity looks like regular money movement (paying rent, receiving larger payments, transferring out to a bank), the company must follow U.S. identity rules. An SSN or ITIN is the standard way to confirm identity in the U.S.

If you do not have an SSN yet

• You can still open the account and use it for very small personal payments.
• If Venmo asks for identity and you cannot provide SSN/ITIN, the account will be limited until you can supply it.
• If you expect regular payments (rent splits, groceries, club fees), it is safer to use your bank’s Zelle, which usually works with passport verification through the bank.

In short: Venmo technically works at first without an SSN, but not for long or for meaningful amounts. Once you have SSN or ITIN, verification unlocks full, stable use.