Yes, you can add your child to your bank account, but the method depends on their age and what you want them to be able to do

Most banks let you add a minor as an authorized user or joint account holder starting around age 13, though some allow it younger. The difference matters: an authorized user can make transactions but you remain the account owner; a joint holder has equal legal rights to the money and the account. You'll need to go to your bank in person with your child and their ID (usually a school ID, passport, or state ID), and the bank will walk you through which option fits your situation.

If your child is under 13, most banks won't let you add them directly. Instead, you can open a custodial account—a savings or checking account held in your name as custodian, with your child as the beneficiary. You control the account until they reach the age of majority (18 or 21, depending on your state), at which point it becomes theirs automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add a child aged 13 or older to your account as an authorized user or joint holder; younger children need a custodial account instead.
  • An authorized user can spend money but you stay the legal owner; a joint holder has equal rights to withdraw and close the account.
  • Bring your child and their ID to your bank branch to add them; the process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
  • A custodial account is held in your name until your child reaches 18 or 21, then transfers to them automatically.
  • Adding a child to your account does not affect their credit score, but joint accounts do show on both your credit reports.

Authorized user versus joint account holder

An authorized user is someone you give permission to use the account—usually through a debit card or online access—but you remain the sole owner. The bank still reports the account to credit bureaus under your name only. Your child can check the balance, make purchases, and withdraw cash, but they cannot close the account, change the account terms, or remove you as owner. This is the safer option if you want to give your child spending power without handing them full control.

A joint account holder has equal legal ownership. Both of you can withdraw money, make deposits, close the account, or change the terms without the other's permission. The account appears on both your credit reports. If your child is older (16 or 17) and you want them to have real responsibility for managing money, this can work. But it also means they could drain the account or rack up overdraft fees without your consent, and creditors can pursue both of you for debt tied to the account.

Most parents choose authorized user for teenagers because it gives the child experience without the legal risk. If your child is in their late teens and you want to teach them account management, joint ownership is an option—but talk to your bank about what happens if one of you wants out later.

How to add your child at the bank branch

Visit your bank in person with your child and bring their ID. A school ID, passport, or state ID works at most banks; a few require a state ID specifically. The banker will ask which type of account access you want (authorized user or joint holder), verify your child's identity, and have you both sign the paperwork. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Some banks let you start online, but they will still ask you to come in to finish—banks do not add minors to accounts remotely because they need to verify the child's identity in person. If you cannot visit together, call your bank first to ask whether they have a workaround; a few allow a parent to add a child remotely if the parent is already verified, but this is not standard.

After you sign, the bank will issue a debit card in your child's name (if you chose authorized user or joint holder) and set up online access. Your child can usually log in the same day or within 24 hours. Ask the banker to explain the account limits—some banks cap how much an authorized user can spend per day or per transaction, and you can often adjust these limits online later.

Custodial accounts for children under 13

If your child is younger than 13, open a custodial account instead. This account is held in your name as custodian, with your child named as the beneficiary. You control all the money and decisions until your child reaches the age of majority—18 in most states, 21 in a few. At that age, the account automatically becomes theirs, and you lose all legal rights to it.

Custodial accounts come in two types: UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) and UGMA (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act). UTMA is newer and more common; it lets you transfer more types of assets (not just money) and gives your child more time before the account transfers. The difference rarely matters for a basic bank account, but ask your bank which one they offer. You do not choose—the bank uses whichever your state's law allows.

The account is reported to credit bureaus under your Social Security number, not your child's. When your child turns 18 or 21, the account transfers to them and starts showing on their credit report. This can actually help their credit history, since the account will have a long track record by then.

What happens to the account when your child turns 18

If you added your child as an authorized user, nothing changes automatically. The account stays in your name, and your child keeps using it the same way. You can remove them at any time by calling the bank or visiting a branch. If you want to close the account or move the money, you can do that without their permission.

If your child is a joint holder, they have the same rights you do once they turn 18. They can withdraw all the money, close the account, or change the terms without telling you. Some parents move the money to a new account before their child turns 18 to avoid this risk, or they have a conversation about expectations. There is no legal requirement for your child to keep the account open or leave the money there.

If the account is custodial, it transfers to your child automatically at 18 or 21. You lose all access and all legal claim to the money. Plan for this—if you have been saving money in a custodial account for your child's college or another goal, make sure they understand that when they turn 18, the money is theirs to use however they want.

Credit reports and your child's financial record

Adding your child as an authorized user does not create a credit report for them or affect their credit score. The account shows only on your credit report. This is true whether they are an authorized user or a joint holder—the account itself does not build their credit history.

However, if the account goes into overdraft or you miss payments, that negative mark shows on your credit report and, if your child is a joint holder, on theirs too. If you want your child to build credit, you will need to add them as an authorized user on a credit card account instead, or help them open their own credit-building product (like a secured credit card) when they are older.

A custodial account also does not build your child's credit. It is purely a savings or checking tool. When the account transfers to them at 18 or 21, it will not appear on their credit report unless they keep it open and use it actively.

Fees and account minimums

Most banks do not charge extra to add a child to an account. However, some accounts have monthly fees if you do not keep a minimum balance—usually $100 to $500. Check whether your account has a fee and whether adding your child changes the requirement. A few banks waive fees for accounts with a minor, so it is worth asking.

If your child is an authorized user and they overdraft the account (spend more than the balance), you are responsible for the overdraft fee, not them. Overdraft fees typically range from $25 to $35 per transaction. Some banks let you turn off overdraft protection so the card is declined instead of charging a fee—ask your banker about this option when you set up the account.

Custodial accounts usually have no extra fees, but they may have a higher minimum balance than a regular savings account. Compare your bank's options before you open one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child use the account if I do not give them a debit card?

Yes. An authorized user or joint holder can visit a branch to withdraw cash or make deposits, and they can access the account online or through the bank's app. A debit card is convenient but not required. If you want to limit their spending, you can skip the card and let them use the account only for saving or for withdrawals you approve.

What if my child loses the debit card or it gets stolen?

Call your bank immediately. They will cancel the card and issue a new one, usually within 5 to 10 business days. If someone used the card fraudulently before you reported it, your bank's fraud protection covers unauthorized transactions—you are not liable. Your child should not be liable either, but confirm this with your bank when you report the loss.

Can I remove my child from the account later?

Yes, if they are an authorized user. Call your bank or visit a branch and ask them to remove the authorized user status. If your child is a joint holder, you cannot remove them unilaterally—you would have to close the account and open a new one in your name only. Talk to your bank about the process before you make someone a joint holder.

Does adding my child to my account affect my taxes?

No. The account is still yours for tax purposes. If the account earns interest, you report that interest income on your tax return, not your child's. A custodial account is different—when your child turns 18 or 21 and the account transfers to them, any interest earned after that date is their income, not yours.

What if I want to add my child but they live with the other parent?

You can still add them. Bring them to your bank branch with their ID, and follow the same process. If your custody agreement says the other parent controls financial decisions, check that agreement first—some custody orders restrict one parent from opening accounts or making financial decisions for the child without the other parent's consent. If you are unsure, talk to your lawyer before you visit the bank.