You can get a bank card at different ages depending on the type of card and whether you have a parent or guardian

A debit card tied to a checking or savings account can be issued to a child as young as 13 in most U.S. banks, though some allow them at 10 or 12. The bank sets the minimum age, not federal law. A parent or guardian must open the account and typically remains the account owner, with the child as an authorized user or co-owner depending on the bank's rules.

A credit card in your own name requires you to be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security number. If you are under 21, you will need to show independent income (from a job, for example) or have a parent co-sign. Federal law (the CARD Act of 2009) set these rules to protect younger borrowers from taking on debt they cannot manage.

A prepaid card has no age minimum at most providers—a parent can load money onto it for a child of any age—but the card itself is typically issued in the parent's name, with the child using it as a spending tool only.

Key Takeaways

  • Debit cards for minors are usually available starting at age 10 to 13, depending on the bank, and require a parent or guardian to open the account.
  • Credit cards in your own name require you to be 18, and if you are under 21, you must show independent income or have a co-signer.
  • Prepaid cards have no age minimum but are controlled by the parent who loads the funds.
  • The bank, not the government, decides the minimum age for debit cards, so rules vary by institution.

Debit cards for children and teens

Most major banks offer debit cards for minors, but the minimum age ranges from 10 to 13. Chase allows debit cards at age 13 with a parent-owned account. Bank of America offers them at age 13. Wells Fargo allows them at age 13. Credit unions often have similar policies, though some go lower—certain credit unions issue cards at age 10 or even younger.

When you get a debit card as a minor, your parent or guardian opens a custodial or youth account in their name. You receive a debit card linked to that account and can use it to spend money the parent has deposited. The parent can usually see all transactions and set spending limits or restrictions. The account remains under the parent's control until you reach the age of majority (18 in most states), at which point it converts to a standard account in your name.

Some banks offer teen checking accounts with features designed for younger users—lower or no monthly fees, no overdraft charges, and parental controls. These are not separate from a debit card; the card is part of the account package.

Credit cards at 18 and the rules for younger applicants

You must be 18 to open a credit card account in your own name. At 18, you are a legal adult and can sign a binding contract, which a credit card agreement is. The card issuer will check your credit history (if you have one) and verify your income or employment.

If you are between 18 and 21, credit card issuers have stricter rules. You must show that you have independent income—from a job, a scholarship, investment returns, or another source—or you must have a parent or guardian co-sign the application. The co-signer is legally responsible for the debt if you do not pay. This rule came from the CARD Act of 2009, which Congress passed to reduce the risk of young adults taking on unmanageable credit card debt.

At 21 and older, you can open a credit card based on your own income and credit history alone. No co-signer is required.

How banks verify age and identity

When you apply for a debit card as a minor, your parent provides their identification and Social Security number. The bank verifies the parent's identity and opens the account. You may need to visit a branch in person, or some banks allow the parent to apply online and add the child's name remotely.

For a credit card at 18 or older, you will provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and proof of income (a recent pay stub, tax return, or letter from your employer). The card issuer pulls your credit report from one of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion—to check your credit history and score. If you have no credit history, the issuer may deny you or offer a secured credit card (one backed by a cash deposit you provide).

Prepaid cards and gift cards

Prepaid cards are not credit or debit cards—they are spending tools loaded with a fixed amount of money. A parent can buy a prepaid card for a child of any age and load money onto it. The card itself is usually issued in the parent's name, but the child can use it to make purchases up to the balance available.

Prepaid cards do not build credit history because they are not a form of borrowing. They do not report to credit bureaus. They are useful for teaching a child how to manage money without the risk of overdrafts or debt, but they offer no credit-building benefit.

Gift cards from retailers (Target, Amazon, Starbucks) work the same way—they are spending tools, not bank cards, and have no age requirement.

Building credit as a minor or young adult

If you are under 18, you cannot build credit in your own name because you cannot sign a legal contract. However, some parents add their child as an authorized user on their own credit card. The child receives a card in their name but the parent is responsible for all charges. If the parent pays on time, the account may be reported to the credit bureaus under the child's name, which can help build credit before the child turns 18.

Once you turn 18, you can build credit by opening a credit card, taking out a small loan, or becoming an authorized user on someone else's account. Credit history takes time to build—most lenders want to see at least six months of payment history before they consider you a low-risk borrower.

What happens when you turn 18

If you have a debit card on a custodial account, the bank will convert it to a standard checking account in your name on or shortly after your 18th birthday. You will keep the same account number and debit card, but you will now be the sole owner. The parent's access to the account may end, depending on the bank's policy—some allow the parent to remain a co-owner if both parties agree, while others remove the parent automatically.

You can then open a credit card in your own name if you have income. If you do not have a credit history yet, you may need to start with a secured card or find an issuer that works with first-time borrowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 12-year-old get a debit card?

Some banks allow debit cards at age 12, but most require age 13. Check with your bank directly, as each institution sets its own minimum age. Your parent will need to open the account and you will be an authorized user or co-owner.

What if I am 18 but have no income—can I get a credit card?

Most credit card issuers will not approve you without income or a co-signer. You can ask a parent to co-sign, which makes them responsible for the debt. Alternatively, you can apply for a secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that serves as collateral.

Does a debit card build credit?

No. Debit cards draw from money you have already deposited, so there is no borrowing and no credit report. Only credit cards, loans, and other forms of credit that you borrow and repay build credit history.

Can I use my parent's credit card if I am under 18?

You can use a card your parent gives you, but you are not the cardholder—your parent is. The parent is responsible for all charges. If your parent adds you as an authorized user, the account may be reported under your name and help build your credit, but your parent still controls the account.

What is the difference between a debit card and a credit card for a young person?

A debit card spends money you have; a credit card borrows money you owe back. Debit cards are available to minors with a parent's account. Credit cards require you to be 18 and show income or have a co-signer. Credit cards build credit history; debit cards do not.