Most banks let you open a checking account online at 16 or 17, but you need a parent or guardian to co-sign
You cannot open a checking account entirely on your own while you are in high school. Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity and age, and minors cannot enter into binding financial contracts without a parent or guardian. What you can do is start the process online — many banks let you fill out the process on their website or app, but the account will not be activated until a parent or guardian completes their part of the process, usually by signing documents in person or electronically.
The age at which you can begin this process varies by bank. Most major banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Ally, and others — allow account opening at 16 or 17 with parental consent. Some smaller banks and credit unions set the minimum at 13 or 14. A few require you to be 18. Check your specific bank's website under "teen accounts" or "minor accounts" to find their age requirement before you start.
The online part of the process is straightforward: you provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address. You may also need to upload a photo ID — a school ID, state ID, or passport. But here is where it stops being online: your parent or guardian will need to verify their own identity and sign off on the account, either through a video call with a bank representative, by visiting a branch in person, or through an electronic signature process that varies by bank.
Key Takeaways
- You can start a checking account process online at 16 or 17, but a parent or guardian must complete and sign the account agreement for it to open.
- Different banks have different minimum ages — most major banks allow 16 or 17, but some credit unions start at 13 and a few require 18.
- You will need to provide your Social Security number and a photo ID, and your parent will need to verify their identity as well.
- The final step almost always requires in-person or video verification with a bank representative, even if the process started online.
What documents and information you need before you start
Gather these items before you open the browser: your Social Security number, a photo ID (school ID, state ID, or passport), your current address, and your parent or guardian's information. Your parent will need their own Social Security number, photo ID, and address as well.
Some banks also ask for a second form of ID or proof of address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your name on it. If you have never had a bank account before, you may be asked to provide more documentation than someone switching from another bank. Have these ready before you start the process, because many online forms will not let you save and come back later.
How the online process actually works
The process itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. You enter your personal information, create a username and password, and agree to the account terms. The bank will run a soft credit check — this does not affect your credit score and is just to verify you are who you say you are. You will see a confirmation screen with your process number.
At this point, the bank will send you an email with next steps. This is where the process moves offline. You will be asked to either visit a branch with your parent, schedule a video call with a bank representative, or use an electronic signature tool to have your parent sign the account agreement. The exact method depends on the bank. Chase, for example, offers video verification for some accounts but requires in-person signing for teen accounts. Bank of America lets parents sign electronically through their own online banking. Credit unions vary widely — some require a branch visit, others do not.
Once your parent completes their part, the account is usually activated within one business day. You will receive a debit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days, though some banks offer temporary digital card access while you wait for the physical card.
Banks that make the online part easiest
Chase offers a teen checking account for ages 16 and up. The online process is straightforward, but you will need to visit a branch with your parent or schedule a video call with a banker to complete the account opening. Chase does not allow purely electronic signing for minors.
Bank of America has a similar account for ages 13 and up. The process is online, and your parent can sign electronically through their own Bank of America account if they are already a customer. If not, they will need to visit a branch or complete a video call.
Ally Bank allows account opening at 17 with parental consent, and the entire process — including parental signing — can be done online through electronic signature. This is one of the few banks where you do not need to visit a branch or schedule a video call.
Many credit unions offer teen accounts starting at age 13, and some allow the entire process to happen online. Check with your local credit union or a national one like Connexus or Pentagon Federal to see what they require.
What happens if your parent cannot sign in person
If your parent lives out of state or cannot visit a branch, you have options. Most banks now offer video verification, where a representative calls you and your parent at a scheduled time to confirm your identities and have your parent agree to the account terms verbally. This is recorded and counts as consent.
Electronic signature through DocuSign or a similar service is becoming more common, especially for banks that operate primarily online. Your parent receives a link, signs the documents electronically, and the account opens without anyone visiting a branch.
If the bank you want requires in-person signing and your parent cannot do it, ask whether a legal guardian, grandparent, or other authorized adult can sign instead. Some banks allow this; others do not. It is worth asking before you give up on that bank.
What you can and cannot do with a teen checking account
A teen checking account works like a regular checking account: you can deposit money, write checks, use a debit card, and set up direct deposit. You can transfer money between your own accounts and receive money from other people. Many teen accounts come with no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement.
What you usually cannot do: you cannot overdraft (the bank will decline transactions if you do not have enough money), you cannot open a line of credit, and you cannot take out a loan. Some banks limit how many transfers you can make per month, though this is less common now. Your parent or guardian may have the ability to see your account activity and set spending limits, depending on the bank.
Once you turn 18, the account automatically converts to a regular adult account, and the parental controls are removed. You do not need to do anything — it happens automatically.
Why some banks make you come to a branch even though you started online
Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity in person or through a video call before opening an account for a minor. This is part of the Know Your Customer (KYC) rules and anti-money-laundering regulations. An online form alone is not enough — the bank needs to see you (or your parent) and confirm that the person explore is actually the person whose name is on the process.
This is why even banks that market "open online" accounts for teens still require a final verification step. It is not a choice the bank makes — it is a legal requirement. The good news is that this step usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, and many banks now offer video calls instead of requiring a branch visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a checking account online without my parent knowing?
No. Your parent or guardian must sign the account agreement, and the bank will contact them to verify their identity. You cannot hide this from them. If you are worried about talking to your parent about a bank account, that conversation is worth having — most parents want to help their teenagers learn about money.
What if my parent does not have a bank account?
Your parent does not need to be a customer of the same bank. They just need to provide their own identity information and sign the account agreement. They can do this in person at a branch, through a video call, or electronically depending on the bank.
How long does it take from starting the online process to having a usable account?
The online process takes 15 minutes. The verification step (video call or in-person visit) usually happens within a few days. Once that is done, the account is active when ready, though your physical debit card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Some banks offer a temporary digital card you can use right away.
Can I use the account before the debit card arrives?
Yes, if the bank offers a digital card. Chase, Bank of America, and Ally all let you add your new account to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay when ready after the account opens, so you can use your phone to pay before the physical card arrives. Check with your specific bank.
What happens to the account when I turn 18?
The account automatically converts to a regular adult account. Your parent's access and any spending limits they set are removed. You do not need to do anything — the bank handles it automatically on your birthday or shortly after.