What you need to open a youth account
A youth account is a checking or savings account designed for people under 18, usually with lower fees and parental involvement built in. Most banks let you open one in person at a branch with a parent or guardian present. You will need the young person's Social Security number, a form of ID (usually a school ID or state ID), and proof of address — a utility bill, lease, or recent bank statement with the parent's name on it.
Some banks also let you start online if a parent already has an account there, though you will still need to visit a branch to finish the process and verify the young person's identity in person. A few banks skip the branch visit entirely if you upload documents through their app, but this is less common. Call ahead to ask what your bank accepts — requirements vary.
The parent or guardian will need to bring their own ID and proof of address. Many banks require the adult to be a joint owner on the account, meaning they can see all transactions and withdraw money. Some accounts let the parent monitor without being a joint owner, but this is rarer. Ask whether the account will have a debit card, and if so, whether the parent gets a separate card or just online access.
Key Takeaways
- Youth accounts require a parent or guardian to open them in person, along with the young person's Social Security number and a form of ID.
- Most banks make the parent a joint owner, giving them full access to the account and the ability to withdraw money.
- Debit cards for youth accounts often come with spending limits or restrictions that reset daily or weekly.
- Some accounts charge monthly fees if you do not keep a minimum balance, so compare what different banks offer before you go in.
- The account can usually stay open after the young person turns 18, though it may convert to a standard adult account.
Where to open a youth account
Most banks and credit unions offer youth accounts. The easiest place to start is a bank where the parent already has an account — staff know the parent's history, and the process is usually faster. If you do not have an existing relationship with a bank, call three or four branches near you and ask whether they have a youth account product and what documents you need to bring.
Credit unions often have lower fees than banks and may offer youth accounts with better terms. To join a credit union, you usually need to live or work in a certain area or belong to a particular group — a school, employer, or union. If you are not sure whether you are a member, call the credit union and ask. Many credit unions let you open a youth account the same day you join.
Online banks rarely offer youth accounts because they cannot verify identity in person. If you want to use an online bank, you may need to open a standard account with the parent as the primary owner and add the young person later, once they turn 18. This is less common and usually requires calling customer service rather than doing it online.
What happens during the account opening visit
Bring both the young person and the parent or guardian to the branch. A banker will ask for IDs and proof of address, check them, and ask questions about how the account will be used — whether the young person will be depositing paychecks, receiving allowance, or saving for a specific goal. These questions help the bank choose the right account type for you.
The banker will explain the account rules: monthly fees (if any), minimum balance requirements, debit card limits, and what happens if the account goes negative. Read through the account agreement before signing. If something is unclear, ask. The banker will then set up the account, usually while you wait, and may issue a debit card on the spot or mail it to you within a week.
If the account comes with online banking, the banker will set up a username and password or send you a link to create one. Ask whether the parent and young person get separate logins or share one. If they share, the young person will see all the parent's transactions, and the parent will see all of theirs. Some banks let you set up separate logins so each person sees only their own activity.
Debit card limits and how they work
Many youth accounts come with a debit card that has a daily spending limit — often $25 to $100 per day, depending on the bank. This limit resets each day at midnight, so if the young person spends $50 on Monday, they can spend another $50 on Tuesday. Some cards also have a weekly limit, which is higher but resets only once a week.
The parent can usually change these limits through online banking or by calling the bank. If the young person needs to spend more than the daily limit — for example, to buy a laptop for school — the parent can raise the limit temporarily or request a one-time exception. Ask the bank how much notice they need and whether there are any fees for changing limits.
Some youth accounts also restrict where the card can be used. For example, the card might work at grocery stores and gas stations but not at bars or casinos. These restrictions are set by the bank, not by the parent, and you cannot change them. If the young person needs to use the card somewhere it is blocked, they will have to use cash or ask the parent to pay instead.
Monthly fees and how to avoid them
Some youth accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee — usually $5 to $10 — if the account balance falls below a certain amount, often $100 or $500. Other accounts have no monthly fee at all. Before you open an account, ask the banker what the fee is and what the minimum balance requirement is. If the young person will not keep much money in the account, a no-fee account is a better choice.
A few banks waive the monthly fee if the young person sets up direct deposit — for example, from a part-time job or allowance. If the young person will be receiving regular deposits, ask whether the bank offers this option. It can save money over time.
Overdraft fees are another cost to watch for. If the young person tries to spend more money than is in the account, the transaction might be declined (no fee), or the bank might let it go through and charge an overdraft fee of $25 to $35. Ask the banker what the bank's overdraft policy is. Many banks let you turn off overdraft protection so transactions are straightforward declined instead of charged.
What happens when the young person turns 18
Most youth accounts automatically convert to a standard adult account on the young person's 18th birthday. The account number, debit card, and online login usually stay the same, so there is no disruption. The parent's access may change — some banks remove the parent as a joint owner automatically, while others require the young person to request it.
If the young person wants the parent to stay on the account after they turn 18, they can ask the bank to keep the parent as a joint owner. If they want the parent off, they can request that too. The young person will need to go to the branch or call the bank to make this change. It usually takes a few days to process.
After the account converts, the young person may no longer have the spending limits or restrictions that came with the youth account. They will have access to the full range of adult banking products — overdraft protection, credit cards, loans — though they will not be offered these automatically. The account itself remains free or low-cost, depending on the bank's standard account terms.
Comparing youth accounts at different banks
Before you open an account, call or visit at least two banks and ask about their youth account terms. Make a list of what matters to you: no monthly fee, high daily spending limit, the ability to set separate parent and young person logins, or a debit card that works everywhere. Different banks prioritize different things.
Some banks offer youth accounts with no fees and no minimum balance, but with a low daily spending limit. Others charge a small monthly fee but allow higher spending limits and fewer restrictions. There is no single "best" account — it depends on what the young person will use it for.
If the young person is saving for a specific goal, ask whether the bank offers a savings account with interest. Most youth checking accounts earn little or no interest, but a linked savings account might. Even a small amount of interest teaches the young person how money grows over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a young person open a bank account without a parent?
No. Banks require a parent or legal guardian to open a youth account because the young person cannot sign a legal contract. Once the young person turns 18, they can open their own account without a parent's involvement.
What if the young person does not have a Social Security number?
You will need to get one before opening the account. Contact your local Social Security office or go to ssa.gov to request one. The process takes a few weeks, so plan ahead. Some banks may accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, but this is uncommon — call ahead to ask.
Can the parent see all the young person's transactions?
Yes, if the parent is a joint owner. The parent can see every deposit, withdrawal, and purchase through online banking. Some banks let you set up separate logins so each person sees only their own activity, but this is less common. Ask the bank about their options before you open the account.
What if the young person loses the debit card?
Call the bank when ready to report it lost or stolen. The bank will cancel the card and mail a replacement, usually within 5 to 10 business days. In the meantime, the young person can withdraw cash at an ATM using their PIN or ask the parent to help them access the money.
Can the young person have more than one bank account?
Yes. A young person can have a checking account at one bank and a savings account at another, or accounts at multiple banks. However, each account requires a separate opening visit with a parent. Having multiple accounts can be useful if the young person wants to separate spending money from savings, but it also means tracking multiple logins and balances.