What you need to open a checking account for a minor
A minor (usually under 18) cannot open a checking account alone. A parent or legal guardian must open it with them, either as a joint account holder or as the sole account holder with the minor as an authorized user. The bank or credit union will require identification for both the adult and the minor, proof of the adult's address, and sometimes a Social Security number for each person.
The exact documents vary by institution. Most banks ask for a government-issued ID from the parent (driver's license or passport) and a birth certificate or school ID for the minor. Some credit unions accept a utility bill or lease as address proof instead of a driver's license. Call the institution before you go in—what one bank requires, another may not.
You do not need an initial deposit to open most accounts for minors, though some institutions set a minimum (often $25 or $100). A few waive the minimum if you set up direct deposit. Ask about this when you call, because it may affect which account type makes sense for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- A parent or legal guardian must be present and sign documents; the minor cannot open an account independently.
- Bring a government-issued ID for the adult, a birth certificate or school ID for the minor, and proof of the adult's address.
- Most banks and credit unions offer accounts designed for minors, often with lower or no monthly fees and limited overdraft risk.
- The account can be set up as a joint account (both names on it) or with the minor as an authorized user on the parent's account.
- Some institutions restrict what a minor can do—like preventing online transfers or limiting ATM withdrawals—until they reach a certain age.
Joint accounts versus authorized user accounts
A joint account lists both the parent and the minor as account holders. Both names appear on the debit card and statements. Either person can withdraw money, make transfers, and conduct most transactions. This setup teaches the minor that the account belongs to both of them and that spending decisions affect a shared resource. It also means the parent can see every transaction without logging in separately.
An authorized user account keeps the parent as the sole account holder, and the minor is added as someone who can use the account but does not own it. The minor gets a debit card and can withdraw money, but the parent retains full control. The parent can set restrictions—like a daily ATM withdrawal limit or a block on online transfers—that the minor cannot override. This structure works well if you want to give the minor spending power while keeping tight oversight.
Some banks blur the line: they call it a "teen account" or "student account" but structure it as a joint account with built-in restrictions that lift at a certain age (often 16 or 18). Read the account agreement carefully to understand who owns what and what each person can do.
Where to open the account: banks versus credit unions
National banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) and regional banks both offer accounts for minors. They typically have many branches, so you can visit in person, and they offer online and mobile banking. Monthly fees for teen accounts are usually $0 to $5, and many waive fees if you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit.
Credit unions often have lower or no monthly fees and may offer better interest rates on savings, though the difference is usually small for a checking account. You must be a member to open an account, which usually means living or working in a certain area or having a family member who is already a member. Credit unions are smaller, so fewer branches, but most participate in shared branching networks that let you use other credit unions' ATMs and teller windows.
Online banks (Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover) generally do not offer accounts for minors because they cannot verify identity online and require in-person visits for account opening. Stick with a bank or credit union with a physical location if the minor is under 18.
What happens when the minor turns 18
The account does not automatically close or change. If it is a joint account, both the young adult and the parent remain account holders unless one of them removes themselves. Many banks send a notice around the 18th birthday explaining what happens next and what options exist.
Some institutions automatically lift restrictions at 18 (like daily withdrawal limits or transfer blocks). Others keep the account structure the same unless the young adult asks to change it. A few banks offer a transition: they convert the teen account to a standard adult checking account at no cost, and the young adult can choose whether to keep the parent on the account or remove them.
If the young adult wants the parent off the account, they can usually do this online or by visiting a branch. If the parent wants to remove themselves from a joint account, they typically need the young adult's permission or must close the account entirely. Read the account agreement to understand the rules for your specific bank.
Restrictions and features common in minor accounts
Banks often limit what a minor can do to reduce fraud risk and teach spending habits. Common restrictions include a daily ATM withdrawal limit (often $100 to $500), a block on online transfers to external accounts, and a requirement that the parent approve certain transactions. Some accounts prevent overdrafts entirely by declining transactions that would go negative, rather than charging an overdraft fee.
Many minor accounts include financial education tools: spending trackers, savings goals, or alerts when the balance drops below a set amount. Some banks offer a small interest rate on savings (usually 0.01% to 0.05% APY, which is very low but better than nothing). A few credit unions offer higher rates on savings sub-accounts linked to the checking account.
Debit cards for minors work like adult debit cards—they can be used at stores, ATMs, and online—but some banks restrict online purchases or require the parent to approve them. Ask about these limits when you open the account, because they affect how useful the card is for the minor's actual life.
The documents you need to bring
| Document | For Whom | What It Proves |
|---|---|---|
| Government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, state ID) | Parent or guardian | Identity and address |
| Birth certificate or school ID | Minor | Identity and age |
| Proof of address (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement) | Parent or guardian | Current address if ID is expired or does not match |
| Social Security number | Both parent and minor | Required by law for tax reporting; provide as a number or card |
Bring originals, not copies. Some banks accept a photocopy of a birth certificate if it is certified (stamped by the vital records office), but most want the original. If the minor does not have a birth certificate yet, a hospital birth record or passport works as proof of identity and age.
If you do not have a Social Security number for the minor, you can explore for one at the Social Security Administration office or online at ssa.gov. The process takes about two weeks. Some banks will open the account without an SSN and add it later, but this is rare—call ahead to confirm.
Steps to open the account in person
Visit a branch with both the parent and the minor, along with the documents listed above. Tell the bank representative you want to open a checking account for a minor. They will ask whether you want a joint account or an authorized user account, explain the restrictions and features, and show you the fee structure.
The representative will fill out an account process (or you may fill it out on a tablet or computer). They will verify your identity and the minor's identity, confirm your address, and record Social Security numbers. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will sign the account agreement, which explains the rules, fees, and what each person can do.
The bank will issue a debit card on the spot or mail it within 5 to 10 business days. You will receive login credentials for online banking and the mobile app. Some banks set up a temporary password that you must change the first time you log in. The account is usually ready to use when ready, even if the physical debit card has not arrived yet—you can transfer money in and use the account number for direct deposit right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a minor open a checking account without a parent?
No. Banks are required by law to verify the identity of account holders, and minors cannot sign binding contracts. A parent or legal guardian must open the account and sign the agreement. Some banks allow minors to open accounts at 16 or 17 with parental consent, but the parent must still be present.
What if the minor does not have a Social Security number yet?
Call the bank before you visit and ask whether they will open an account without an SSN. Some will and ask you to provide it later; others require it upfront. If the bank requires it, you can explore for an SSN at the Social Security Administration office or online at ssa.gov. The process takes about two weeks.
Can the parent remove themselves from the account later?
It depends on the bank and the account structure. If it is a joint account, the parent can usually remove themselves by visiting a branch or calling customer service, though some banks require the young adult's permission or signature. If the parent is the sole account holder and the minor is an authorized user, the parent can remove the minor at any time. Check your account agreement or ask the bank about their specific policy.
Will the minor be able to use the debit card online?
Most minor accounts allow online purchases, but some banks restrict them or require parental approval for transactions over a certain amount. Ask about online purchase rules when you open the account. If restrictions are too tight for what the minor needs to do, you can ask the bank to adjust them or consider a different account type.
What happens if the account goes negative?
Many accounts for minors prevent overdrafts entirely—the bank declines transactions that would make the balance negative, so no overdraft fee is charged. Some accounts allow small overdrafts and charge a fee (usually $25 to $35). Read the account agreement to understand the overdraft policy, or ask the bank representative to explain it before you sign.