What you can and cannot do online
You can open a bank account for your son online at most major banks, but the process depends on his age. If he is under 18, you will be opening a custodial or minor account — one where you have legal control until he reaches the age of majority (usually 18). The account exists in his name, but you sign the paperwork and manage it.
What you cannot do online: you cannot complete the entire process without providing identification. Banks must verify your identity and usually your son's identity too, even for minors. Some banks let you start the process online and finish it in a branch or by mail. Others require an in-person visit. A few allow you to upload documents or use video verification to complete it entirely remotely.
The specific steps and what documents you need vary by bank. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and most regional banks all offer online options for custodial accounts, but each has different rules about age, identity verification, and whether you can finish the whole process without visiting a branch.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks let you start a custodial account process online, but you will need to verify your identity and your son's identity, which may require uploading documents or visiting a branch.
- Your son's age matters: banks have minimum age requirements (often newborn, sometimes age 13 or older), and the account type changes what you can do with it.
- You will need your son's Social Security number, proof of his identity (birth certificate or passport), and proof of your identity (driver's license or passport).
- Some banks complete the entire process online through document upload or video verification; others require you to finish in person or by mail.
- The account is in your son's name but under your control as custodian until he turns 18, at which point it typically converts to a standard account in his name alone.
Age requirements and account types
Banks set their own minimum ages for custodial accounts. Most allow you to open one from birth, though a few require your son to be at least 13. Check the specific bank's website or call to confirm before you start the process.
The account type matters for what you can do with it. A custodial savings account is the simplest: you deposit money, earn interest, and your son cannot withdraw without your permission. A custodial checking account lets you add a debit card in his name so he can spend money you have deposited. Some banks offer both in one account; others require separate accounts for checking and savings.
A few banks offer teen checking accounts designed for older children (usually age 13 and up). These come with parental controls built in — you can set spending limits, see transactions in real time, and restrict what types of purchases are allowed. These accounts are often easier to open online because the bank has already designed the process for remote verification of teenagers.
Documents you will need to provide
You will need identification for yourself and for your son. For you, most banks accept a driver's license, passport, or state ID. For your son, the bank will ask for proof of his identity and his Social Security number.
Proof of your son's identity usually means a birth certificate, passport, or Social Security card. If you are opening the account online, you will upload images of these documents. The bank's system will read them and verify the information matches what you entered in the process. Some banks also ask for a second form of ID if the first one is a birth certificate.
You will also need to provide your son's Social Security number. If he does not have one yet, you can explore for one through the Social Security Administration before opening the account, or some banks will let you complete the account opening and add the number later.
How identity verification works online
Banks use one of three methods to verify your identity when you explore online. The first is document upload: you photograph or scan your ID and your son's documents, then upload them through the bank's website. The bank's software reads the document, checks that it is genuine, and compares the information to what you entered. This usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.
The second method is video verification. You schedule a video call with a bank representative, show them your ID and your son's documents on camera, and answer questions to confirm your identity. This is more thorough than document upload and usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Some banks use this method automatically; others offer it as an option if document upload fails.
The third method is in-person verification. You visit a branch with your ID and your son's documents, and a banker opens the account while you are there. This is the slowest option but the most certain — there is no risk of a document upload failing or needing to reschedule a video call.
Which banks let you finish online without visiting a branch
Chase allows you to open a custodial account online using document upload. You provide your ID and your son's birth certificate or passport, and the account opens within one business day. You can order a debit card online, and it arrives in about a week.
Bank of America lets you start the process online but requires you to visit a branch to finish it. You can complete most of the paperwork on their website, but a banker must verify your identity in person before the account is active.
Wells Fargo offers online account opening for custodial accounts using document upload. The process is similar to Chase: you upload your ID and your son's documents, and the account opens within one business day.
Ally Bank and some online-only banks do not offer custodial accounts at all, so if you want to bank entirely online, you will need to choose a bank that does. Regional banks vary widely — some offer full online opening, others require a branch visit. Call your bank or check their website before you start the process.
What happens after the account opens
Once the account is open, you can deposit money when ready. If you chose a checking account with a debit card, the card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. Until it arrives, you can transfer money in and out using online banking or by visiting a branch.
You will have full access to the account through online banking. You can see all transactions, set up automatic transfers, and manage the account from your phone or computer. Your son will not have online access until you give him permission, which you can do at any time.
When your son turns 18, the account automatically converts to a standard account in his name. He will gain full control, and you will lose access unless he adds you as an authorized user. Some banks send a notice before this happens; others do not. Mark the date on your calendar so you are not surprised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open an account for my newborn?
Yes, most banks allow custodial accounts from birth. You will need your son's Social Security number and birth certificate. If he does not have a Social Security number yet, you can explore for one through the Social Security Administration, or some banks will let you add it later.
What if the bank rejects my document upload?
Banks reject uploads when the image is blurry, cut off, or the information does not match what you entered in the process. Retake the photo in good lighting, make sure all four corners of the document are visible, and check that the spelling of names and numbers matches exactly. If it fails again, call the bank and ask about video verification or in-person opening.
Can my son access the account before he turns 18?
That depends on the account type and what you allow. If it is a savings account only, he cannot withdraw money without your permission. If it is a checking account with a debit card, you can give him the card and let him spend the money you deposit. You control whether he has online access and what he can do with it.
Do I need to visit a branch if I open the account online?
Not necessarily. Chase, Wells Fargo, and some other banks complete the entire process online using document upload or video verification. Bank of America and others require at least one in-person visit. Check your specific bank's website or call before you start the process.
What if my son already has a Social Security number but I cannot find the card?
You do not need the physical card. You need the number itself. If you have it memorized or have it written down somewhere, that is enough. If you have lost it completely, you can request a replacement from the Social Security Administration, but that takes several weeks. Some banks will let you complete the account opening and add the number later.