Bank of America lets you open a checking account at age 13 with a parent or guardian, or on your own at 18

If you are 13 or older, you can open a Bank of America checking account. The difference is who has to be involved: teenagers under 18 need a parent or guardian to open the account with them in person, while anyone 18 and over can open one alone. Bank of America calls the account for younger teens a BankAmericard Youth Checking account, though the exact name and features can vary by location and change over time.

The account itself works like a regular checking account — you get a debit card, online banking access, and the ability to deposit and withdraw money. What changes is the oversight: a parent or guardian has visibility into the account and can set spending limits or monitor activity until the teen turns 18, at which point the account typically converts to a standard adult checking account.

Key Takeaways

  • Teenagers aged 13 to 17 can open a Bank of America checking account only if a parent or guardian opens it with them in person at a branch.
  • Anyone 18 or older can open a checking account on their own without a parent present.
  • You will need a valid government-issued ID (such as a state ID, passport, or school ID in some cases) and proof of address.
  • The account converts from a youth account to a standard adult account when the teen turns 18, usually without needing to take any action.
  • Bank of America does not charge a monthly fee on most youth checking accounts, though fees may explore to certain services like overdrafts.

What you need to bring to open an account at 13 to 17

Both the teen and the parent or guardian must go to a Bank of America branch together. You cannot open a youth account online or over the phone — it has to happen in person. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for both people. For the teen, this can be a state ID, driver's license, passport, or school ID (policies vary by branch, so call ahead if you are unsure whether a school ID will work). The parent or guardian also needs a photo ID.

You will also need proof of address for at least one of you. This can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government document with your current address on it. If you do not have one yet, ask the branch what they accept — some branches are flexible about this requirement for minors.

Bring your Social Security number or have it memorized. Bank of America will ask for it to verify your identity and set up the account in the banking system.

What happens when you turn 18

When the teen turns 18, the Bank of America youth account automatically converts to a standard adult checking account. The parent or guardian's access to the account ends, and the young adult now has full control. You do not have to do anything — the conversion happens on its own. The account number, debit card, and online banking login typically stay the same, so there is no disruption to direct deposits, automatic payments, or other services linked to the account.

If the young adult wants to remove the parent or guardian from the account before turning 18 (which some banks allow), they would need to contact Bank of America directly to ask about that option. Policies vary, so call your local branch or the customer service number on the back of the debit card to ask.

Opening an account at 18 or older on your own

If you are 18 or older, you can open a Bank of America checking account without a parent or guardian present. You can do this online, over the phone, or in person at a branch. Online is usually the fastest option — you can complete the process in 10 to 15 minutes from home.

You will need a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport), your Social Security number, and proof of address. If you do not have a utility bill or lease in your name yet, Bank of America may accept other documents like a bank statement, government mail, or a lease with a co-signer. Ask during the process process what they will take.

Once you submit your information, Bank of America usually approves the account within a few minutes to a few hours. Your debit card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days, though you can use the account and make transfers online before the physical card shows up.

Fees and what the account includes

Bank of America does not charge a monthly maintenance fee on most youth checking accounts or standard checking accounts for customers under 25. This means you can keep the account open without paying anything just to have it, as long as you follow the account rules.

You will be charged a fee if you overdraw the account — that is, if you spend more money than you have in it. The overdraft fee varies but is typically around $35 per overdraft. You can set up overdraft protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit card so that if you run short, the bank pulls money from the linked account instead of charging you a fee. Ask about this option when you open the account or call customer service to set it up later.

The account includes online banking, a mobile app, a debit card, the ability to set up direct deposit, and access to Bank of America's ATM network. If you use an ATM that is not part of Bank of America's network, you may be charged a fee by that ATM's owner, though Bank of America does not charge you for out-of-network ATM use.

Why a parent or guardian has to be present for teens under 18

Banks require a parent or guardian to be present when opening an account for someone under 18 because minors cannot sign a legal contract on their own. The account agreement is a contract between you and the bank, so the parent or guardian has to sign it. This is true at Bank of America and at virtually every other bank.

The parent or guardian is not necessarily responsible for money in the account — that is the teen's money. But the parent or guardian is responsible for making sure the teen follows the account rules, such as not overdrawing it repeatedly or using the debit card fraudulently. Once the teen turns 18, they become fully responsible for the account themselves.

What to do if you cannot get to a branch in person

If you are under 18 and cannot visit a Bank of America branch with a parent or guardian, you have limited options. Some banks offer video verification, where you and your parent or guardian can open an account over a video call with a bank representative who verifies your identities in real time. Call Bank of America's customer service line to ask whether your local branch offers this option — it is not available everywhere.

If video verification is not available, you will need to visit a branch in person. Bank of America has thousands of branches across the United States, so you may be able to find one near you. Use the branch locator on Bank of America's website to find the closest location and its hours.

If you are 18 or older, you can open an account entirely online without visiting a branch, so this is not a problem once you reach that age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Bank of America checking account at age 12 or younger?

No. Bank of America requires you to be at least 13 years old. If you are younger and want to learn about managing money, ask your parent or guardian about a savings account instead — some banks offer savings accounts for children under 13, though they typically do not come with a debit card.

Does my parent or guardian have to keep access to my account after I turn 18?

No. When you turn 18, the account automatically converts and your parent or guardian's access ends. You have full control at that point. If you want them to keep access for any reason, you would have to add them back as an authorized user, which you can do through online banking or by visiting a branch.

What if I lose my debit card before it arrives in the mail?

Call Bank of America customer service or visit a branch and ask them to cancel the card and send a replacement. You can also use your account online and through the mobile app to transfer money or pay bills while you wait for the new card to arrive. There may be a fee for a replacement card, though Bank of America sometimes waives it for the first replacement.

Can I open more than one checking account at Bank of America?

Yes, but there is usually no reason to. Most people have one checking account for everyday spending and one savings account for money they want to keep separate. If you think you need two checking accounts, talk to a Bank of America representative about whether a savings account or a separate sub-account would work better for what you are trying to do.

What happens if I do not use the account for a long time?

Bank of America does not close accounts for inactivity the way some banks do, but if you do not use the account for an extended period, the bank may freeze it or require you to reactivate it. If you plan to stop using the account, close it formally by visiting a branch or calling customer service so the bank knows you are not using it by choice.