Yes, but the parent or guardian must be on the account

You can open a bank account online for your daughter, but you cannot do it entirely in her name alone. Every bank that offers online account opening for minors requires a parent or legal guardian to be a joint account holder or to authorize the account. The parent's identity must be verified during the process — usually through a driver's license or state ID — and the parent's Social Security number goes on the account.

The exact rules depend on your daughter's age and the bank you choose. Some banks accept minors as young as newborns (with a parent on the account); others have a minimum age of 13 or 16. A few banks do not offer online opening for minors at all and require you to visit a branch in person.

The account itself is real and full-featured. Your daughter can use a debit card, set up direct deposit, and transfer money. What changes is the control: you have access to the account and can see all transactions until she reaches the age of majority (18 in most states), at which point she can take over or you can remove yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a joint account holder or authorized signer; the account cannot be opened in your daughter's name alone.
  • Your identity will be verified with a government-issued ID and your Social Security number during the online process.
  • Minimum age requirements vary by bank, ranging from newborn to 16 years old.
  • You retain full access and control of the account until your daughter reaches 18, though some banks allow you to grant her limited control earlier.
  • Not all banks offer online opening for minors; some require an in-person visit to a branch.

What you need to have ready before you start

Gather your own documents first. You will need a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport), your Social Security number, and your current address. Some banks also ask for a phone number and email address associated with your account. Have your daughter's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number on hand as well.

You will also need to decide what type of account you want. Most banks offer a basic savings account for minors, sometimes called a youth savings account or teen account. Some also offer checking accounts. The difference matters: a checking account typically comes with a debit card and check-writing ability, while a savings account is usually debit-card only and may have limits on how many withdrawals you can make per month.

If your daughter does not yet have a Social Security number, you can still open an account at some banks, but the process takes longer because the bank will need to verify her identity through other means — usually a birth certificate and your ID. Call the bank first to confirm they accept applications without an SSN.

Banks that let you open accounts online for minors

Major national banks with straightforward online processes for minors include Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Ally Bank. Each has a slightly different minimum age and feature set. Chase allows accounts for children of any age if a parent is the account holder; Bank of America requires the child to be at least one day old; Wells Fargo requires age 13 for some products. Ally Bank, which is online-only, accepts minors age 13 and up.

Credit unions often have simpler processes and lower fees. If you belong to a credit union, check their website or call to ask whether they offer online opening for minors. Many do, and some have no minimum age requirement at all.

Smaller online banks like Greenlight, GoHenry, and Fidelgo are designed specifically for parents opening accounts for children. These are not traditional banks — they are financial technology companies that partner with banks to hold the money — but they offer more parental control features than a standard bank account. You can set spending limits, approve or deny transactions, and automate allowance payments. The trade-off is that these accounts may have monthly fees ($5 to $15) and fewer features than a full bank account.

The online opening process, step by step

Start on the bank's website or mobile app. Look for a link that says "open an account" or "youth account" and select the account type (savings or checking). You will be asked to enter your own information first: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and employment status. The bank will verify your identity, usually by asking security questions based on your credit history or by sending a code to your phone or email.

Next, you will enter your daughter's information: full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Some banks ask you to confirm your relationship to her (parent, guardian, or other). You will then review the account terms, agree to them, and submit. The whole process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.

After submission, the bank will send you a confirmation email. The account is usually active when ready, though some banks hold a 24-hour waiting period before you can link external accounts or make transfers. A debit card (if the account includes one) arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can typically set a PIN and start using the account online before the card arrives.

What happens if the bank asks for documents you do not have

If the online process stalls and the bank asks for additional documents, it is usually because your identity could not be verified through the standard questions. Common requests include a copy of your driver's license, a utility bill showing your current address, or a recent tax return. You can usually upload these through the bank's website or mobile app, or email them to the address the bank provides.

If your daughter does not have a Social Security number yet, the bank may ask for her birth certificate and your ID instead. This takes longer — sometimes 5 to 10 business days — because the bank has to verify her identity manually. If the bank cannot open the account online without an SSN, you will need to visit a branch in person or wait until she has an SSN.

Control and access: what you can and cannot do

As the parent on the account, you have full access. You can see all transactions, transfer money in and out, and close the account. You can also set up alerts so you are notified when your daughter uses the debit card or when the balance drops below a certain amount.

Some banks allow you to give your daughter limited access before she turns 18. For example, you might let her see the balance and transaction history but not initiate transfers, or you might set a daily spending limit on her debit card. The controls available depend on the bank. Check the bank's app or website to see what parental controls are built in.

When your daughter turns 18, the account does not automatically convert to her sole name. You will need to contact the bank and remove yourself as a joint holder, or she can do this if the bank allows it. Until one of you takes that step, you both retain access.

Fees and features to compare

Most accounts for minors at major banks have no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance requirement, and no overdraft fees. This is different from adult accounts, which often charge fees if the balance drops below a certain amount. However, some banks do charge fees if you link the account to an external bank or if you exceed a certain number of transfers per month.

Check whether the account comes with a debit card, whether the card has a PIN you can customize, and whether the bank offers online and mobile access. Some banks also offer perks like a small amount of interest on savings (usually less than 0.01 percent) or the ability to set savings goals.

If you are considering a fintech account like Greenlight or GoHenry instead of a traditional bank, compare the monthly fee against the features. A $5 monthly fee adds up to $60 per year, which may be worth it if you want detailed spending controls, but it is not worth it if you just want a straightforward savings account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open an account for my daughter if I do not have a Social Security number?

No. The bank will need your Social Security number to verify your identity and open the account. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead at some banks, but you will need to call and ask first.

What if my daughter is adopted or I am not her biological parent?

You can still open an account as long as you are her legal guardian. The bank may ask for proof of guardianship, such as a court order or adoption decree. Have this document ready before you start the online process, or be prepared to upload it if the bank requests it.

Can my daughter use the account to receive her paycheck if she gets a job?

Yes. Once the account is open, she can provide the account number and routing number to her employer for direct deposit. The money will go directly into the account, and you will both be able to see it. You retain access to the account even after she starts earning money.

What if the bank denies the process?

Banks rarely deny applications for minors' accounts, but it can happen if there is an issue with your identity verification or if you have a history of fraud or unpaid fees at that bank. If your process is denied, the bank will send you a letter explaining why. You can contact the bank to ask what you need to do to reapply, or you can try a different bank.

Do I need to report my daughter's account on my taxes?

If the account earns interest, your daughter may owe tax on that interest. The amount is usually very small (less than $10 per year at most banks), but if it exceeds $1,200, the bank will send a 1099-INT form. Consult a tax professional about how to report it, as the rules depend on your daughter's age and income.