A 17-year-old can open a bank account, but the account will be in their name with a parent or guardian as a co-owner

Most banks allow minors to open accounts, but they require a parent or legal guardian to sign the paperwork and appear in person. The account belongs to the teenager—they can deposit money, make withdrawals, and use a debit card—but the adult has legal authority over it until the minor turns 18. Some banks set the minimum age at 13; others allow accounts from birth if a parent opens them. A few banks have no stated minimum age.

The specific rules depend on the bank. A teenager cannot open an account alone at any major bank, but the process itself is straightforward: bring identification, proof of address, and the parent or guardian to a branch, or complete the process online if the bank offers it. The account will likely be called a "teen account" or "minor account," and it may have different features than an adult account—sometimes lower fees, sometimes limits on transfers or spending.

Key Takeaways

  • A 17-year-old needs a parent or legal guardian to co-sign and appear in person or online when opening a bank account.
  • The account is in the teenager's name, and they control it, but the adult has legal authority until the minor turns 18.
  • Different banks have different minimum ages and different rules for teen accounts, so calling ahead or checking the bank's website saves a trip.
  • You will need a photo ID (state ID, passport, or school ID depending on the bank), proof of address, and the parent or guardian's ID and Social Security number.
  • Some banks offer teen accounts with features like spending limits or parental controls; others treat them the same as adult accounts once opened.

What documents you need to bring

The teenager needs a photo ID. A state ID, passport, or driver's license works at every bank. Some banks accept a school ID if it has a photo and expiration date, but this varies—call ahead if that is the only ID available. The parent or guardian needs their own photo ID and Social Security number.

Proof of address is usually required. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail with the address on it will work. It should be recent—most banks want something from the last 60 days. If the teenager and parent live at the same address, one piece of proof covers both.

Some banks ask for a second form of ID or additional documentation, particularly if opening the account online. Check the bank's website or call the branch before you go; requirements vary between institutions and sometimes between branches of the same bank.

Whether the account can be opened online or in person

Most major banks require an in-person visit to open a teen account. The parent or guardian must be present to sign documents and verify their identity. This is a legal requirement, not a policy choice—the bank needs to confirm that the adult actually consents to the account and is who they claim to be.

A small number of banks allow online account opening for minors if the parent has an existing account at that bank. Chase, for example, lets parents open a teen account online through their own account if they are already customers. Bank of America and Wells Fargo require a branch visit. Credit unions vary widely—some allow online opening, others do not. If online opening matters, check the specific bank's website or call before making a trip.

What happens when the teenager turns 18

When the minor turns 18, the account automatically converts to an adult account in most cases. The parent or guardian's authority ends, and the teenager becomes the sole owner. No action is required from either party—the bank handles the conversion. The teenager can then manage the account completely independently, change passwords, add or remove authorized users, and make all decisions about the account.

Some banks send a notice before or after the conversion, but not all. If the teenager wants to confirm the conversion happened, they can log into their online banking or call the bank to verify. The account number and routing number usually stay the same, so any automatic deposits or payments do not need to be updated.

Teen accounts versus regular accounts

A teen account is not fundamentally different from an adult account—it is the same product with the same FDIC protection and the same access to online banking and debit cards. The differences are in the features the bank chooses to include.

Some banks build in parental controls: the parent can set daily spending limits, see all transactions, or restrict certain types of purchases. Others offer the account with no controls at all, treating it as a regular checking account that happens to have a co-owner. A few banks charge lower fees on teen accounts or offer higher interest rates on savings. Chase's teen account has no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Bank of America's teen account includes parental controls through their mobile app. Credit unions often have no special features but lower fees overall.

The best approach is to compare what the banks you are considering actually offer. Call the branch or check their website for the specific features of their teen account product. Do not assume all teen accounts are the same.

Whether the parent can see all transactions

It depends on the bank and the account type. If the bank's teen account includes parental controls, the parent can usually see all transactions through the bank's mobile app or online portal. If the account has no parental controls, the parent may not have automatic access to transaction history—though they are the co-owner and could request it from the bank.

This is worth clarifying before opening the account. If the parent wants to monitor spending, choose a bank that explicitly offers parental visibility. If the teenager wants privacy, choose one that does not. The bank's website or a call to the branch will tell you what is included in their teen account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 17-year-old open a bank account without a parent?

No. Every major bank requires a parent or legal guardian to co-sign and appear in person or online. A few banks may allow an account if a guardian other than a parent (such as a grandparent with legal guardianship) signs instead, but someone with legal authority must be involved.

What if the parent does not have a Social Security number?

The bank will ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, or may decline to open the account. Call the bank before visiting to confirm whether they accept an ITIN. Some banks do, others do not.

Can the teenager use the account to get a credit card?

No. A 17-year-old cannot open a credit card account alone. They can become an authorized user on a parent's card, which builds credit history, but they cannot be the primary cardholder. A debit card linked to the checking account is the only card product available to them.

What if the parent and teenager do not live at the same address?

Both will need to provide proof of their own address. Bring two pieces of mail or documents showing each person's current address. The bank will verify both before opening the account.

Does the parent have to keep the account open after the teenager turns 18?

No. Once the teenager turns 18, they become the sole owner and can keep or close the account as they choose. The parent's authority ends automatically, and they cannot be forced to remain on the account. The teenager can remove them if they want to.