You need to be at least 18 to open an account in your own name, but younger people can open accounts with a parent or guardian
The minimum age to open a bank account by yourself is 18 in all U.S. states. Before that, you have two options: a joint account with a parent or guardian, or an account designed specifically for minors that a parent controls.
The rules vary slightly between banks and between account types. Some banks allow children as young as 13 to open a teen account with parental permission. Others require a parent to be a joint owner on any account for anyone under 18. A few banks have no minimum age at all if a parent is the primary account holder.
What matters most is what you want the account to do. If you need to receive paychecks or manage money yourself, a teen account or joint account gives you that access. If the goal is straightforward to hold money safely, a parent-controlled account works. The account type determines what you can do with it and who controls it.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 to open an account in your own name at any U.S. bank.
- Minors can open joint accounts with a parent or guardian at most banks, usually with no age minimum.
- Teen accounts, offered by many banks starting around age 13, let young people manage money with parental oversight.
- A parent can open an account in a child's name and control it entirely until the child reaches 18.
- Different banks have different rules, so the account type available to you depends on which bank you choose.
Joint accounts with a parent or guardian
A joint account is the most common way for someone under 18 to have a working bank account. Both you and your parent are listed as owners, and both can deposit and withdraw money. The parent does not need special permission to access the account—they have full rights to it.
Most banks allow joint accounts with no age minimum, meaning a parent can open one for a child of any age. Some banks do set a minimum age of 13 or 16, but these are less common. You will need to go to the bank in person with your parent and bring identification—usually a birth certificate or Social Security card for the child, and a driver's license or passport for the parent.
A joint account stays joint until you turn 18 and decide to change it. At that point, you can ask the bank to remove your parent as a co-owner, making it your account alone. Some banks do this automatically when you reach 18; others require you to request it. Check with your bank about their specific process.
Teen accounts and minor accounts
Teen accounts are designed for people aged 13 to 17 and come with built-in limits. You get a debit card and can make purchases and withdrawals, but your parent can set spending limits and see all transactions. Some teen accounts also let parents approve or deny individual purchases before they go through.
Banks that offer teen accounts include Chase (Chase First Banking, ages 6 to 17), Bank of America (BankAmericard for Students, ages 8 to 17), and Ally Bank (Ally Teen Checking, ages 13 to 17). Each has different features—some include savings goals, some offer parental controls on specific merchants, and some charge monthly fees while others do not. You will need to check each bank's website or call to see what they offer.
A teen account is different from a joint account because the parent is not a co-owner. The account is in your name, and you control it, but the parent has oversight tools. When you turn 18, the account usually converts to a standard adult account automatically, and the parental controls disappear.
Accounts opened by a parent in a child's name
A parent can open a savings account in a child's name without the child being present or having any control over it. This is often called a custodial account or a UTMA account (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act). The parent is the custodian and controls all deposits and withdrawals until the child reaches the age of majority—usually 18 or 21, depending on the state.
This type of account is useful for parents who want to save money for a child but do not want the child to access it yet. It requires only the child's Social Security number and birth certificate. The parent brings these documents to the bank and opens the account alone.
When the child reaches the age set by state law, the account automatically transfers to their full control. They become the sole owner and can do whatever they want with the money. This is different from a joint account, where the parent can choose to stay on the account indefinitely.
What you need to bring to open an account
For a joint account or teen account, bring a government-issued ID for the parent (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and proof of the child's identity. Proof of identity for a minor is usually a birth certificate, Social Security card, or school ID. Some banks accept a passport.
You will also need to provide a Social Security number for the minor. If the child does not have one, you can request one from the Social Security Administration before opening the account, though some banks will open the account and add the number later.
Bring a current address for both the parent and child. If you have recently moved, bring a utility bill or lease to prove your address. Some banks also ask for a phone number and email address.
Age requirements vary by bank and account type
No federal law sets a minimum age for bank accounts. Instead, each bank sets its own rules. This means the age at which you can open an account depends on which bank you choose and what type of account you want.
Some banks allow joint accounts with no age limit. Others require the minor to be at least 13. A few banks have different rules for different account types—for example, allowing a joint savings account at any age but requiring age 13 for a checking account.
Before you go to the bank, call or check the bank's website to confirm their specific age requirement and what documents you need. This saves a trip if the bank has a rule you did not expect.
What happens when you turn 18
When you turn 18, you can open an account in your own name without a parent. You no longer need anyone's permission or signature. Bring your government-issued ID (driver's license or passport), your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
If you already have a joint account or teen account, you have a choice. You can keep it as is, remove your parent as a co-owner (if it is joint), or open a new account elsewhere. Many people keep their existing account because it is simpler than switching banks, but you are not required to.
If your account is a custodial account opened by your parent, it automatically becomes yours when you reach the age of majority in your state. Your parent loses all control and access at that point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 16-year-old open a bank account without a parent?
No. You must be 18 to open an account in your own name. At 16, you can open a joint account with a parent or a teen account if your bank offers one, but you cannot open an account alone.
What if my parent will not take me to the bank?
Some banks now offer online account opening for minors, though a parent still has to be involved—they sign electronically rather than in person. Call your bank to ask if they offer this option. If they do not, you will need to find a parent, guardian, or trusted adult who can go with you.
Do I need a Social Security number to open a bank account?
Most banks require a Social Security number, but some will open an account without one and add it later. Call your bank first to ask. If you do not have a number, you can request one from the Social Security Administration online or by mail.
Can I have a bank account if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. Banks can open accounts for non-citizens, but they need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number. Bring your passport and ITIN to the bank, along with proof of your current address.
What is the difference between a joint account and a teen account?
In a joint account, the parent is a co-owner and has full access to the money. In a teen account, the account is in the minor's name, and the parent has oversight tools like spending limits but is not a co-owner. When you turn 18, a teen account usually converts to a regular account automatically, while a joint account stays joint unless you ask to remove the parent.