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How to Open a Kids’ Bank Account In 5 Steps

A bank account teaches kids financial responsibility and lifelong money-management skills.

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By

Bethany Hickey

Edited by

Holly Jennings

Updated

Fact checked

You must be at least 18 to open a bank account alone, so to give your kids their first account, you’ll be adding your child to the account as a co-owner. Many traditional banks require kids to be at least 13 to be a joint owner, but there are many online options that accept ages under 13.

While your child will need your help to open their first account, doing so can help ease your child learning practical money management skills they need in adulthood. Kids’ accounts are becoming increasingly popular, too, with about 49% of teens opening bank accounts, according to a recent Fidelity study.

Step 1: Choose the right account

The account you choose will depend on your goals and your child’s age. For example, most kids’ checking accounts require minors to be at least 13 years old, while prepaid debit cards for kids typically don’t have any age limits.

6 types of banks accounts for kids

Step 2: Compare fees and transfer options

Depending on the account you choose, cost is a major factor. Some of the more advanced kid bank accounts come with extra features — like investing platforms and chore tracking — require monthly subscription fees, usually around $3 to $10 per month. This can put a dent in your finances if you have more than one kid.

On the plus side, there are free checking accounts for kids under the age of 17. These are often found at traditional banks and credit unions.

Besides monthly fees, look out for these extra costs:

  • Account closure fees
  • Card replacement fees
  • Overdraft or nonsufficient funds fees
  • Cash deposit fees
  • Out-of-network ATM fees

Another major factor is the ability for you to transfer funds to your child’s account. If your kid doesn’t have any income, you’ll need a way to send them funds so they can actually use the account. Be sure to look into ways you can easily (and cheaply) transfer funds, such as Zelle transfers, ACH transfers or cash deposits.

3. Apply for the account

The way you apply for the kids’ bank account depends on the institution you’re going with. Some banks don’t offer online bank account applications, since an adult needs to be present to set up a child’s account — and that often means you’re required to visit a branch with your child to apply.

If the bank account allows you to apply online, it should take you less than 10 minutes to complete. Make sure you have all your documentation and information ready.

Most kids’ bank accounts will require:

  • Your child’s name, birthdate and Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Your SSN and government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
  • Residential address, phone number and email address
  • Your child’s student ID if you’re opening a student bank account

4. Open and fund the account

In many cases, you’ll need to fund the account during the final stage of the application process. Some accounts require an opening deposit, often ranging from $25 to $100.

Once the account is opened and funded, you can activate your debit or ATM cards, if available. This card usually arrives in the mail seven to 10 days after your application is approved.

5. Set up app and virtual cards

Many kids’ banking services offer virtual cards that can be added to digital wallets for immediate use, such as Apple Pay if your kid is over 13 or Google Pay if your kid is 16 or older.

If you’re banking with an online kids’ bank account, they’re likely to come with an accompanying mobile app. Several of today’s most popular bank accounts offer apps with a multitude of extra features. Your child may use the app to check their balance, play educational games or track their chores. Parents can also use these apps to monitor spending activity, transfer funds or set up spending restrictions.

What if the application is denied?
There could be a number of reasons for a bank account application denial, but know that the bank is required to explain why. In many cases, a denial is the result of a poor banking history, which is shown on your ChexSystems report. This reporting agency is under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and it keeps a record of your banking history for up to five years.If you’ve had issues with bank accounts in the past, such as multiple overdraft incidents or forced account closures, it could lead to being denied a kids’ bank account. Even though the account would also be in your child’s name, an adult must be the account’s custodian until the child is old enough to take over, so your banking history is factored in.

7 things to consider before opening a bank account for your kid

Keep these factors in mind when looking for a bank account for your child.

  1. Age account changes. Many banks convert kids’ accounts to standard accounts once the child turns 18, and these adult accounts often have monthly fees.
  2. Earns interest. Most kids’ accounts earn a negligible amount of interest, but a few earn competitive APYs.
  3. Financial literacy features. Most checking and savings accounts for kids don’t offer financial literacy options. If you’re after an account that teaches your kid how to manage money, look at prepaid cards for kids.
  4. Age requirements. Many savings accounts and prepaid debit cards are open to children of any age, but checking accounts are often only available to teens.
  5. Monthly fees. Most savings accounts for kids are free to open and maintain, but checking accounts and debit cards commonly have recurring fees.
  6. Debit card. Depending on the account type, your child may be eligible to receive a debit or ATM card they can use to spend or access funds in the account.
  7. Balance requirements. Kids’ checking accounts may require a minimum balance to keep the account open or avoid monthly charges. Some savings accounts have a similar requirement to start earning interest, but most don’t.
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A kid's account might be subject to the kiddie tax

"There can be tax implications for any unearned income, including interest, dividends and capital gains. Once your child’s bank account starts earning interest, their investment income is subject to the ‘kiddie tax’. Any investment earnings over $2,700 in unearned income, for 2025 and 2026, is taxed at the parent’s rate if it’s higher than the child’s. The kiddie tax applies to kids under 18 and to 18-year-olds whose earned income isn’t more than half their support. Full-time students 19 to 23 have the same support test, and at least one parent has to be alive at the end of the tax year."

Banking editor

Should I open a bank account for my kid?

Here are some signs your kiddo is ready for their own bank account:

  • They’re asking for money. If they’re constantly hitting you up for cash or your credit card, a kids’ debit card lets you transfer funds instantly.
  • They’ve asked for a debit card. Ads for kids’ debit cards are all over TV and social media. If your kid is curious about getting a card, they may be ready for the responsibility.
  • They have an allowance. If you pay your child a weekly, biweekly or monthly allowance or pay them for completing chores, popular bank accounts for kids offer chore and allowance tracking features.
  • Your teen has a job. Once your teen has entered the workforce — even if only for a few hours a week — they’ll likely want a convenient way to deposit, spend and save their earnings.
  • Your kid wants to save. If your child wants to save for long-term goals, look for an account that pays interest or lets them create several subaccounts for savings.

What’s the best age to open a bank account?

Many experts agree that age 12 is the best age to introduce a kid to a bank account with a debit card.

“Age 12 is a good benchmark to start getting them used to tracking their spending and paying by card — not to mention keeping hold of the plastic without losing it,” Nate Tsang, founder and CEO at WallStreetZen, told Finder.

But you could start younger than 12 if you feel your kid is ready. By age seven, kids can understand basic financial concepts, such as money conversions and how to save money for large purchases, according to a University of Cambridge study.

If ages 12 and under feels too young, you can start teaching basic financial literacy, and at the very latest, it’s a good idea to get your kid a bank account when they start working. Most Americans agree that once a teen is 15, they’re ready for their first job, according to a PR Newswire Harris poll. A kids’ bank account makes it easier for a working teen to safely store their hard-earned money.

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A third of kids have a linked account

Just as many parents say that their kid has their own bank account as one that is linked to their own.

Bottom line

Kids’ bank accounts are offered by a wide range of US banks and credit unions. Opening an account with your current financial institution can help save time, but it’s worth shopping around to see which account offers the best rates and features. To find the best fit for you or learn about other kids’ accounts, check out our kids banking guide.

Sources

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
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Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto. Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt. Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others. Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio

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Bethany has written 469 Finder guides across topics including:
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