Most banks let you open a minor account online, but a parent or guardian has to be present and verified

You can start a bank account for a minor through most major banks' websites without going to a branch. The process is faster than in-person, but it is not fully remote — a parent or guardian must be there to consent and prove their identity, usually by uploading a photo ID or answering security questions tied to their credit history.

The exact steps depend on which bank you choose. Some banks let you complete everything on one device with both the minor and parent present. Others require the parent to start the account first, then add the minor afterward. A few still require at least one in-person visit, even though they advertise online opening.

The account itself arrives within one to five business days. The debit card typically takes five to ten business days to arrive by mail, though some banks offer temporary digital card access while you wait.

Key Takeaways

  • A parent or guardian must verify their identity online using a photo ID or by answering questions about their credit history before the account opens.
  • The minor does not need their own Social Security card or ID present, but the parent will need to provide the minor's Social Security number.
  • Most accounts open within one to five business days, but the physical debit card takes five to ten business days to arrive by mail.
  • Some banks offer limited features for minors under 13, such as no online transfers or a lower daily spending limit, so check the bank's rules before you start.
  • If a parent does not have a photo ID or the bank cannot verify them online, you will need to visit a branch in person.

What the bank needs from you before opening

The parent or guardian will need a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The bank will either ask you to upload a photo of it or will verify it through a third-party service that checks it against government records. This usually takes a few minutes.

You will also need the minor's Social Security number. If the minor does not have one yet, you can request one from the Social Security Administration before opening the account, or some banks will let you complete the account setup and add the number later.

The parent may be asked to answer security questions based on their credit history — things like "Which of these addresses did you live at in 2015?" or "What was the name of your first car loan?" These questions verify identity without requiring a photo ID upload, though most banks still prefer the ID route because it is faster.

How the online process actually works, step by step

Start on the bank's website or mobile app and look for "open an account" or "minor account." You will be asked whether you already have an account at that bank. If the parent does, the process is usually faster — the bank already has their identity on file.

If the parent does not have an account, they will need to create one first or go through full verification during the minor account setup. Either way, the parent enters their own information, uploads their ID, and confirms their identity. This step cannot be skipped or delegated.

Next, you enter the minor's name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Some banks ask you to choose account features at this stage — whether the minor can make online transfers, set a daily spending limit, or receive parental alerts. Read these options carefully, because you may not be able to change them later without calling the bank.

After you submit, the bank sends a confirmation email to the parent's address. The account usually opens within one to five business days. You will receive login credentials by email or text, and the debit card ships separately.

Banks that let you open minor accounts fully online

Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all let parents open minor accounts through their websites without visiting a branch. Each has slightly different rules about what minors under 13 can do — some block online transfers, others set lower daily limits, and a few require parental approval for each transaction.

Smaller banks and credit unions vary widely. Some offer full online opening, others require a branch visit, and some do not offer minor accounts at all. Call or check the bank's website before you start, because the rules change and not every location follows the same policy.

Online-only banks like Ally and Charles Schwab do not offer minor accounts. If you want an account at an online bank, you will need to open a custodial account instead, which is a different product with different rules.

What happens if the parent cannot verify online

If the bank cannot verify the parent's identity through photo ID upload or security questions, you will need to visit a branch in person. Bring the parent's photo ID and the minor's birth certificate or Social Security card. The process takes about 15 minutes, and the account opens the same day or within one business day.

This also applies if the parent does not have a photo ID at all. Some banks will accept a passport card or military ID, but not all. Call the bank's customer service line to ask what forms of ID they accept before you make the trip.

If the parent has no ID and cannot get one quickly, you may need to explore custodial accounts or savings accounts at a credit union instead, as rules vary by institution.

How long the debit card takes and what to do while you wait

The physical debit card is mailed separately from account opening and typically arrives within five to ten business days. Some banks offer a temporary digital card number that works immediately for online purchases and contactless payments through a phone wallet, even though the physical card has not arrived yet.

If the bank does not offer a digital card, you can still use the account to receive direct deposits or transfers from another account. You just cannot spend the money until the physical card arrives.

If the card does not arrive within ten business days, call the bank's customer service line. Cards sometimes get lost in the mail, and the bank can reissue one or, in some cases, expedite a replacement for a small fee.

Age limits and account restrictions for minors

Most banks let you open an account for a child of any age, but they impose different rules depending on whether the minor is under 13 or 13 and older. Banks are required to follow the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) for children under 13, which limits what data they can collect and how they can contact the child.

For minors under 13, many banks block online transfers to other banks, limit daily spending, or require parental approval for each purchase. For minors 13 and older, restrictions are usually lighter — they may be able to transfer money, set up bill pay, or use the account more independently, though the parent still owns the account legally.

When you open the account online, the bank will show you which features are available for the minor's age. If you want more freedom later, you may be able to upgrade the account once the minor turns 13 or 18, but you will need to contact the bank to make that change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the minor's Social Security card to open an account online?

No. You need the minor's Social Security number, but you do not need to have the card itself. If the minor does not have a Social Security number yet, you can request one from the Social Security Administration before opening the account, or some banks will let you add it later.

Can the minor open the account by themselves, or does the parent have to do it?

The parent or guardian must start and verify the account. The minor can be present and help fill in their own information, but the parent's identity verification is the required step. Some banks let the minor log in and use the account immediately after it opens, while others require the parent to set up access first.

What if the parent lives in a different state than the minor?

Most banks do not care where the parent or minor lives. The parent can verify their identity online from anywhere, and the account can be opened for a minor in a different state. The debit card will be mailed to whatever address you provide during setup, which can be the minor's address or the parent's address.

Can I open a minor account if the parent does not have a bank account?

Yes. The parent does not need to have an existing account at that bank. They will go through the same identity verification process as anyone opening an account for the first time. However, if the parent cannot verify online, you will need to visit a branch in person.

What if I want to close the account later?

The parent can close the account online or by calling customer service. Any money in the account will be returned to the parent by check or transfer to another account. Once the minor turns 18, they can usually take over the account and manage it independently, though rules vary by bank.