You can open a Chase account at 17, but only with a parent or guardian, and only certain account types are available to you

Chase does not open standard checking or savings accounts for anyone under 18 without a parent or guardian on the account. At 17, you have two real paths: a Chase Student Checking account (which requires a parent as a joint owner), or a Chase Savings account (also requiring a parent). Both accounts are in your name, but the adult has full access and control until you turn 18.

The account itself is yours to use — you get a debit card, online access, and the ability to deposit and withdraw money. The parent's role is legal: they sign the paperwork, they can see all transactions, and they can close the account. Once you turn 18, you can convert to a solo account or leave the joint structure in place if you both agree.

Chase does not offer teen-only accounts with restricted parent access, the way some banks do. If you want an account without a parent involved, you will need to wait until you are 18.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Student Checking requires a parent or guardian to open the account with you, and they remain a joint owner until you turn 18.
  • You will receive a debit card and online banking access in your own name, but the parent can see all activity and withdraw funds.
  • Chase does not offer accounts for 17-year-olds without a parent present or on the account.
  • At 18, you can convert the account to your name alone or keep the joint structure if both parties agree.

What Chase Student Checking includes

Chase Student Checking is designed for high school and early college students. It comes with a debit card in your name, online banking access through Chase's website or mobile app, and the ability to set up direct deposit. There are no monthly fees for the account itself, though overdraft fees explore if you spend more than you have.

The account includes access to Chase's ATM network (over 16,000 ATMs nationwide) and the ability to transfer money between accounts. You can also set up bill pay and mobile check deposit. All of this is available to you; the parent's access is parallel, not restrictive — they see what you see, but they can also move money or close the account without your permission.

Chase does not charge a monthly service fee on Student Checking, but you may face overdraft fees (typically $35 per transaction) if your balance goes negative. Some Chase branches waive the first overdraft fee per year as a courtesy, but this is not may provide.

What you need to bring to open the account

You and your parent or guardian must go to a Chase branch in person. Bring a government-issued photo ID (a state ID, passport, or school ID with a photo), your Social Security number, and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency dated within the last 60 days). Your parent will need the same documents.

Chase may also ask for a second form of ID or additional address verification depending on the branch and what documents you bring. Call your local Chase branch before you go to confirm what they need; requirements can vary slightly by location.

You cannot open the account online or by phone. Chase requires both the minor and the parent to be present in the branch to sign the paperwork.

How the account works once it is open

The account is in both your names, listed as a joint account. You can use the debit card to make purchases, withdraw cash, and check your balance through the app or online. The parent can do all of the same things. Neither of you needs permission from the other to move money or make transactions.

If you set up direct deposit (for a job or allowance), the money goes into the shared account. You can see it when ready, and so can the parent. There is no way to hide transactions or set up a sub-account that only you can access.

When you turn 18, you can visit a Chase branch and request to remove the parent from the account, making it yours alone. Alternatively, you can leave the account as-is if you both want to. The parent cannot force you to keep them on the account once you are 18, but they also cannot remove you without your consent.

Alternatives if your parent cannot go to the branch

If your parent lives out of state or cannot visit a Chase branch in person, you cannot open a Student Checking account. Chase does not offer a remote or online option for minors, even with a parent's consent given over the phone or by video.

Your alternatives are to wait until you turn 18 and open an account on your own, or to look at banks that offer teen accounts without requiring a parent to be present. Some online banks and credit unions allow a parent to authorize an account remotely, though Chase is not one of them.

What happens to the account when you turn 18

The account does not automatically change. You and your parent both remain owners unless one of you takes action. To remove the parent, visit a Chase branch with your ID and ask to convert the account to your name alone. The branch will process this, and the parent's access will end.

If you do nothing, the account stays joint. The parent can still see all transactions and move money. There is no automatic "graduation" to a solo account at 18; you have to request it.

If the parent wants to remove themselves, they can do so at a branch, but this does not close the account — it converts it to your solo account. You will keep the same account number and debit card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase account at 17 without a parent?

No. Chase requires a parent or legal guardian to be present and to sign the account paperwork. You cannot open any Chase account at 17 on your own, even with parental permission given by phone or email.

Will my parent see every transaction I make?

Yes. Because the account is joint, your parent has full access to the online banking portal and can see all deposits, withdrawals, and purchases in real time. There is no privacy setting or way to hide transactions from a joint account owner.

Can I use the debit card without my parent's permission?

Yes. Once the account is open and you have the debit card, you can use it to make purchases or withdraw cash without asking the parent. The parent cannot block individual transactions or set spending limits on the card.

What if my parent and I disagree about closing the account?

Either of you can close the account unilaterally. If your parent closes it, the account is closed and any remaining balance is returned. If you want to close it and the parent does not, you cannot do so alone until you turn 18 and remove them from the account first.

Is there a minimum deposit to open a Chase Student Checking account?

Chase does not require a minimum opening deposit for Student Checking. You can open the account with zero dollars and deposit money later, though some branches may ask you to make a small deposit at the time you open it.