Most banks let minors open accounts online, but a parent or guardian must be present and verify their identity

A minor can open a bank account online at most major banks and many credit unions, but the process differs from opening an adult account. The parent or guardian has to be involved — they'll need to provide their own identification, consent to the account, and sometimes verify their identity through video call or in-person visit. Some banks complete the entire process online; others require at least one step to happen at a branch.

The age at which a minor can open an account varies by bank. Most allow it from age 13 or 14 onward, though some start at age 10. A few banks have no minimum age if a parent opens a custodial account. The account is usually held in the minor's name but controlled by the parent until the minor reaches the age of majority (18 in most states), at which point the account converts to a standard adult account.

Key Takeaways

  • Most banks allow minors to open accounts online starting at age 13 or 14, but a parent or guardian must verify their identity and consent.
  • The parent typically retains control of the account until the minor turns 18, though some banks allow shared access earlier.
  • Online banks and credit unions often have simpler processes than large national banks, sometimes requiring only email and a parent's debit card.
  • You will need the minor's Social Security number, date of birth, and address, plus the parent's identification and financial information.
  • Some banks require an in-person visit or video verification call even if the initial application is online.

What banks require from the minor and parent

To open an account online, you'll need to provide information about both the minor and the parent or guardian. For the minor: full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. For the parent: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, government-issued ID (driver's license or passport), current address, and often a phone number and email address.

Some banks also ask for the parent's employment information or annual income, though this is less common for minor accounts than for adult accounts. A few banks require proof of the parent-child relationship — a birth certificate or adoption papers — though most verify this through the Social Security number match.

Have these documents ready before you start the online application. The process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes if all information is correct, but it can stall if there's a mismatch between what you enter and what the bank's verification system finds.

How the identity verification step works

After you submit the online application, the bank verifies the parent's identity. This happens in one of three ways: automated verification through credit bureaus and public records, a video call with a bank representative, or an in-person visit to a branch.

Automated verification is fastest — the bank checks the parent's information against databases and approves or denies within minutes to a few hours. Video verification usually happens within 24 hours; the parent will receive an email or text with a link to schedule a call, typically 5 to 10 minutes long. In-person verification requires a trip to a branch with the parent's ID and sometimes the minor's ID as well.

Banks that use video or in-person verification often do so because they want to confirm the parent is acting willingly and not under coercion. This is a legal safeguard, not a sign that something is wrong with the application.

Which banks make the online process easiest

Online banks and smaller credit unions tend to have the simplest processes. Chime, Greenlight, and GoHenry are designed specifically for teens and minors; they let parents open accounts entirely online with just a parent's debit card and email, no video call or branch visit required. The account is usually ready within a few minutes.

Major national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo allow online applications but often require video verification or an in-person visit. Some have a hybrid process: you start online, but the parent has to visit a branch with ID to complete it. Credit unions vary widely — some have online processes as simple as online banks, while others require a branch visit.

If speed is your priority, check the bank's website for "teen account" or "minor account" and look for the phrase "open entirely online" or "no branch visit required." If those words aren't there, assume a video call or branch visit is part of the process.

Timeline from application to account access

If the bank uses automated verification and you have all documents ready, the account can be open and ready to use within hours — sometimes the same day. If video verification is required, add 24 to 48 hours. If an in-person visit is needed, it depends on when the parent can get to a branch, but the account is usually active the same day as the visit.

After the account is open, the debit card typically arrives by mail within 5 to 10 business days. Some banks offer a temporary digital card that works immediately in apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay, so the minor can start using the account before the physical card arrives.

The slowest part is usually the debit card delivery, not the account opening itself. If the minor needs to move money or set up direct deposit before the card arrives, most banks allow transfers through the app or website.

What happens when the minor turns 18

When the minor reaches 18, the account automatically converts to a standard adult account in most cases. The parent's access is removed, and the now-adult account holder has full control. No action is required from either party — the bank handles the conversion automatically.

Some banks send a notice a few weeks before the conversion date, and a few ask the account holder to confirm they want to keep the account open. If the account holder wants to close it or switch banks, they can do so at any time after the conversion.

A small number of banks allow the parent and minor to share access before age 18, with both able to see transactions and make transfers. This is useful if the goal is to teach money management rather than keep the account fully restricted. Ask the bank about co-ownership or shared access options when you open the account if that's important to you.

What to do if the online application is denied or stalls

If the application is denied, the bank will usually send an email explaining why. Common reasons include a mismatch between the information provided and what the verification system found (a name spelled differently, an outdated address, or a Social Security number error), or the parent having a history of fraud or unpaid debts flagged in their credit report.

If there's a mismatch, correct the information and try again. If the parent's credit history is the issue, some banks have a second-chance option or will let you open the account at a branch instead of online. Call the bank's customer service line and ask if there's an alternative process.

If the application stalls — you submit it but hear nothing for more than 24 hours — contact the bank directly. Sometimes applications get stuck in the system, and a customer service representative can push it through or tell you what additional information is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a minor open a bank account without a parent or guardian?

No. Every bank requires a parent or legal guardian to open an account for a minor under 18. The parent must verify their own identity and consent to the account. Some states allow a minor to open an account independently at 18, but that varies by state and bank.

What if the parent doesn't have a government ID?

Most banks require a government-issued ID like a driver's license or passport. If the parent doesn't have one, some banks will accept a state ID card or passport card. Call the bank before you apply to ask what forms of ID they accept; a few banks have alternative processes for people without standard ID.

Can the minor use the account without the parent's permission once it's open?

The minor can use the debit card and access the account through the app or website, but the parent retains legal control and can see all transactions until the minor turns 18. The parent can also freeze or close the account. This is by design — the account is meant to teach money management while the parent maintains oversight.

Do I need to visit a branch in person, or can everything happen online?

It depends on the bank. Online banks and some credit unions complete the entire process online. Major national banks often require at least one video call or branch visit. Check the bank's website for their specific process before you start the application.

What if the minor already has a Social Security number but no address history?

Use the address where the minor currently lives with the parent. The bank doesn't require the minor to have a separate address history. If the address is very new (less than a few weeks old), the verification system might flag it, but this is usually resolved by calling the bank and confirming the address is correct.