Yes, but with restrictions that depend on your age and your bank
You can open a checking account at 14 in most U.S. banks, but not on your own. You will need a parent or guardian to co-own the account with you, and the bank controls what you can do with it. Some banks let you use a debit card and online banking at 14; others require you to be 16 or 18 for those features. The rules vary by bank and sometimes by state, so you need to call or visit the specific bank you want to use.
The account itself is real—your money goes into it, you can make deposits and withdrawals, and it works like any other checking account. What changes is the legal responsibility. Until you turn 18, your parent or guardian is the account owner on paper, even if you are the one using the card and making purchases. This protects the bank if something goes wrong, and it gives your parent visibility into the account.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks allow a 14-year-old to open a checking account only if a parent or guardian is a co-owner on the account.
- The age at which you can get a debit card, use online banking, or make ATM withdrawals varies by bank and may be 14, 16, or 18.
- You will need to bring a parent or guardian to the bank in person, along with identification and proof of address.
- Some banks offer accounts specifically designed for teens, with lower fees and parental controls built in.
What your parent or guardian has to do
Your parent or guardian must be present when you open the account. They will need to bring their own identification (a driver's license or passport), proof of address (a recent utility bill or lease), and their Social Security number. You will need to bring your own ID if you have one—a school ID, state ID, or passport—and proof of your address, which can be a school report card or a letter from your parent.
The parent or guardian becomes a co-owner, which means they can see all transactions, set spending limits, and close the account. They are also legally responsible for the account until you turn 18. Some banks let the parent set up parental controls through the bank's app, so they can approve or block certain purchases or set a daily spending limit on your debit card.
Age requirements for specific features
Opening the account and having a debit card are two different things. Most banks will let you open a checking account at 14 with a parent, but the debit card may not come until 16 or 18, depending on the bank. Online banking—logging in to check your balance, transfer money, or pay bills—also has its own age gate at some banks.
Chase, for example, lets you open an account at 14 with a parent, but you cannot get a debit card until you are 16. Bank of America has a similar rule. Wells Fargo lets you open an account at 14 and get a debit card at 14, but you cannot use online banking until 16. Credit unions vary widely; some have no age restriction on debit cards once the account is open, while others follow the same 16-or-18 rule as the big banks. Call the bank or credit union you are interested in and ask directly about debit card age and online banking age—do not assume.
Banks and credit unions with teen account options
Several banks have designed accounts specifically for teenagers, with features like parental controls and lower fees. Greenlight and Step are apps that let you open an account at any age with a parent, and they focus on teaching money management. Fidelity Youth Account lets you open at 14 with a parent and includes a debit card and investment education. Ally Bank has a teen checking account that you can open at 14 with a parent.
Traditional banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo also have teen checking products, usually called something like "Teen Checking" or "Student Checking." These accounts typically have no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and parental controls. Credit unions often have similar products and may have lower fees than national banks. The trade-off is that some teen-specific accounts have limited ATM networks or charge fees for out-of-network withdrawals, so compare before you choose.
What happens when you turn 18
When you turn 18, you become the sole owner of the account. Your parent or guardian's name comes off, and you have full legal control. You can close the account, move the money, or keep it open. The bank will send you paperwork to sign, and you may need to visit in person or do it online, depending on the bank.
Some banks automatically convert the account to an adult account on your 18th birthday; others require you to request the conversion. Check with your bank a few months before your 18th birthday to find out what they require. If you want to keep the account open, there is usually nothing you have to do except sign the paperwork. If you want to close it and move your money elsewhere, you can do that at any time.
Documents you need to bring
| You need to bring | Your parent or guardian needs to bring |
|---|---|
| Photo ID (school ID, state ID, or passport) or a school report card | Photo ID (driver's license or passport) |
| Proof of address (school report card or letter from parent) | Proof of address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days) |
| Your Social Security number (if you have one) | Their Social Security number |
Some banks will accept a school report card as both ID and proof of address. Others require separate documents. Call ahead and ask what the bank will accept, because showing up without the right documents means you will have to come back another day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a checking account at 14 without a parent?
No. All major U.S. banks require a parent or guardian to co-own the account if you are under 18. Some online banks and fintech apps may have different rules, but they still require a parent to set up the account and verify their identity. You cannot open a bank account on your own until you are 18.
Will my parent be able to see all my transactions?
Yes. As a co-owner, your parent can see every deposit, withdrawal, and purchase made with the debit card. Some banks let you set up alerts so your parent is notified when you spend over a certain amount. This visibility is part of why banks require a parent to co-own the account.
Can I get a credit card at 14?
No. You must be 18 to open a credit card in your own name. At 14, you can only have a debit card, which draws from money already in your checking account. Some banks offer secured credit cards at 18, which require a cash deposit, but those are not available to minors.
What if my bank does not have a teen account?
You can still open a regular checking account with a parent as co-owner. The account will work the same way, but you may pay a monthly fee if you do not keep a minimum balance. Ask the bank if they waive fees for accounts under 18, because many do even if they do not advertise a teen product.
Do I need a Social Security number to open an account?
Most banks require one, but some will accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if you do not have a Social Security number yet. Call the bank and ask before you go in. If you do not have either, you can still open an account, but the bank may put a hold on certain features until you provide a number.