Most banks let you open a checking account at any age with a parent or guardian
There is no federal minimum age to open a checking account. Banks set their own rules, and most allow children as young as six or seven to have an account if a parent or guardian co-owns it and manages it. Some banks have no stated age limit at all. The account belongs to both of you until your child reaches the age of majority in your state—usually 18—at which point they can take full control.
The practical age to open an account depends on what you want it to do. If your goal is to teach saving habits or receive allowance deposits, six to eight works fine. If you want your child to use a debit card for spending, most banks issue cards starting around age eight to ten, though some wait until thirteen. If your goal is to let a teenager manage their own money with minimal supervision, thirteen to fifteen is more realistic.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks allow joint accounts for children as young as six or seven, with a parent as co-owner and the child as an authorized user.
- Debit cards for children typically become available between ages eight and thirteen, depending on the bank.
- At age eighteen, your child can convert a joint account to a solo account or open their own account without a parent's involvement.
- Some banks offer teen checking accounts designed for ages thirteen to seventeen with limited overdraft and spending controls.
- Opening an account early teaches money habits but does not affect your child's credit score until they are older.
Joint accounts: how they work and when to open one
A joint account has two owners: the parent and the child. Both names appear on the account, both can deposit and withdraw money, and the bank reports activity to both. The parent keeps full control—they can see all transactions, set spending limits if the bank allows it, and close the account. The child learns to use a debit card and see their balance, but cannot overdraft or make decisions the parent has not approved.
Most major banks—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Ally, and others—offer joint accounts for children with no minimum age stated in their public policies. Some regional banks and credit unions set a minimum of six or seven years old. Call your bank or check their website under "youth accounts" or "teen checking" to find their specific age and requirements.
The right time to open a joint account is when your child can understand that money in the account is theirs to spend, not an unlimited supply. That usually happens between ages six and eight, though every child is different. If your child is younger and you just want a place to save money they receive as gifts, you can open a savings account instead and wait on the checking account.
Debit cards for children: age and restrictions
Most banks issue debit cards to children on joint accounts starting at age eight to ten. Some wait until age thirteen. A few banks, like Greenlight and FamZoo, specialize in debit cards for younger children and issue them starting at age six, though these are not traditional bank accounts—they are prepaid card services that parents load with money.
When a child gets a debit card on a joint account, the parent can usually set controls: daily spending limits, categories of merchants the card can be used at (no gas stations, for example), and whether the card works online or only in stores. These controls vary by bank. Some offer them through a mobile app; others do not offer them at all. If spending controls matter to you, ask the bank what options they have before you open the account.
A debit card does not build credit for your child. It is purely a tool for spending money that is already in the account. Credit reporting does not begin until your child is older and takes out a loan or credit card in their own name.
Teen checking accounts: designed for ages thirteen to seventeen
Many banks offer accounts specifically labeled for teenagers, usually for ages thirteen to seventeen. These accounts sit between a joint account for a younger child and a solo account for an adult. A parent is still listed as a co-owner or guardian, but the teenager has more independence: they can use the debit card without asking permission, see their own balance, and make deposits.
Teen accounts often come with guardrails. Overdraft protection is usually turned off, so the card declines if the balance is too low rather than charging a fee. Some banks limit how much can be withdrawn per day or per transaction. A few offer financial education tools—apps that teach budgeting or let the teenager set savings goals. These features vary widely, so compare what different banks offer.
Teen accounts are a good choice if your teenager is ready to manage money more independently but you want to keep an eye on spending and prevent overdraft fees. They are also useful if your teenager has a job and wants to deposit paychecks themselves.
Solo accounts at eighteen: what changes
At age eighteen, your child reaches the age of majority in most states and can legally own a bank account without a parent. They can convert a joint account to a solo account—usually by visiting a branch or calling the bank—or open a brand-new account on their own. Once the account is solo, you have no access to it and cannot see transactions or balances unless your child gives you permission.
Some banks make the conversion automatic when the child turns eighteen; others require the child to request it. Check with your bank about their specific process. If your child is away at college or does not want to visit a branch, many banks allow the conversion over the phone or through their app.
At eighteen, your child can also open a credit card, which will begin to build their credit history. A checking account alone does not affect credit, but a credit card does. If your child is not ready to manage credit responsibly, waiting a year or two is fine.
What documents you need to open an account
To open a joint account for a child, bring a government-issued ID for yourself (driver's license or passport) and proof of your child's identity. Proof of identity for a child can be a birth certificate, passport, or state ID card. Some banks also accept a school ID or a Social Security card, though these are less common.
You will also need a Social Security number for both you and your child. If your child does not have one yet, you can obtain one from the Social Security Administration before opening the account, or some banks will help you apply for one as part of the account-opening process.
Bring a recent piece of mail showing your current address—a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. Some banks waive this if you are already a customer. Call ahead to ask what your specific bank requires; policies vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child open a checking account without me?
No, not until they are eighteen. Before that, a parent or legal guardian must co-own the account. At eighteen, they can open an account on their own with just their ID and Social Security number.
Does a joint checking account affect my child's credit score?
No. A checking account is not reported to credit bureaus, so it does not build or harm credit. Credit reporting begins when your child takes out a loan or opens a credit card in their own name, usually at eighteen or older.
What happens to the account when my child turns eighteen?
The account remains open. You can convert it to a solo account in your child's name, or leave it as a joint account if you both agree. If you want to close it, your child can open a new account elsewhere. The bank will not close it automatically.
Can my child have multiple checking accounts?
Yes. There is no law against it. Some families open one account for regular spending and another for savings, or one at a bank and one at a credit union. Each account is separate, so your child will have multiple debit cards and balances to track.
What if my child loses their debit card?
Call the bank immediately to report it lost or stolen. The bank will freeze the card so no one else can use it, and they will mail a replacement card, usually within five to ten business days. Most banks offer temporary digital cards through their app while you wait for the physical card to arrive.